Regresar al GuidesAre you buying a car in Florida or moving to Florida and transferring the certificate of title from another state? Or maybe you want to change the name on your vehicle title because you just got married.
You need to understand all the regulations involved when dealing with a Florida car title in any of these situations. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, or DHSMV, is your go-to when you need to process all the paperwork.
Let's take a look at some of the main questions involved with the transfer of ownership and car title to understand just what your Florida car title transaction requires.
When do You Need to Transfer or Apply for a Car Title in Florida?
You will need to apply or transfer a vehicle's title when you want to complete the following transactions:
- You're buying a motor vehicle from a private party.
- You're selling a motor vehicle to a private party.
- You're the new owner of an inherited motor vehicle.
- You've changed your name.
- You've just moved to Florida and have brought a motor vehicle with you that is registered in another state.
- You bought a motor vehicle in another state and want to register the state title in Florida (your home state).
- You've moved within the state of Florida, changing your address.
- You want to donate a motor vehicle that you own for charitable purposes.
Application for Certificate of Title
You need to apply for a certificate of title in your name every time you purchase a motor vehicle or bring a vehicle into the state. To apply for the title, you must show proof of ownership.
In Florida, if you want to obtain a certificate of title, you need the following minimum requirements:
- Proof of identity (you can submit your ID card or driver's license).
- Proof of ownership.
- Proof of required insurance coverage.
- Original manufacturer's certificate of origin or MCO.
- Odometer reading disclosure statement.
- Complete an Application for Certificate of Title with/without Registration (Form HSMV 82040).
- Pay all applicable additional fees, including sales tax, use tax, title, and registration fees.
We mentioned above that you would require proof of insurance coverage within Florida. If you're moving from another state, you'll have to transfer your car insurance to a Florida insurance agent before you can apply for the title.
To prove that you have auto insurance, the DHSMV will accept several documents, including:
- A copy of your Florida insurance policy.
- An insurance binder.
- A Florida auto insurance card.
- Your certificate of insurance.
- A completed affidavit that you've signed.
Start by completing the title application form. As part of the process, you'll have to transfer your in-state license plate or purchase a new license plate if you're moving your vehicle into Florida. The title application form will ask if there's a lien on the vehicle. If you've financed the car and the loan isn't paid in full yet, answer that question with "Yes."
You don't have to go to the DHSMV to take care of your application for a certificate of title. Every county in Florida is home to tax and license plate agencies. Any of them can handle your paperwork. Some tax collector offices will even expedite your application for a small fee.
When necessary, the DMV allows you to give a general or a limited Power of Attorney to a family member or trusted friend if you need them to handle your title and registration on your behalf. The Florida DMV provides a limited Power of Attorney for a Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home, or Vessel for your use - look for the HSMV Form 82053.
Title Transfer When Buying or Selling a Car in Florida
If you purchase a car from a dealership or trade in your previous vehicle, then rest assured the dealership will handle all the paperwork on your behalf. However, when buying or selling a motor vehicle through a private sale or third party, you will need to handle the title transfer.
When you're transferring a car's title from one motor vehicle owner to another, ensure you have the following required forms completed and documents handy:
The completed original title, which includes the sale price, buyer's name and address, and seller's name and address.If you don't have a paper title certificate, order one from the DHSMV either before the transaction or while you complete the transfer.
Complete an Application for Certificate of Title with/without Registration Form HSMV 82040. This required form contains all the information needed to complete the transfer.
Completed Bill of Sale. If you're selling a motor vehicle, you must provide a complete bill of sale with your buyer. It's a good idea to have the document notarized by a professional notary, but notarization is not a formal requirement. If you're the buyer, make sure you receive this document, which should include the purchase price, the odometer reading, and any information about existing liens or lien satisfaction.
A verified odometer reading.
Your driver's license when buying a car.
Payment of the title fees. That isn't the payment for the vehicle itself. Instead, it's the fees required to get your electronic or paper title from the DHSMV, plus the necessary costs to register your vehicle and the fees required if you need a new license plate.
Insurance Affidavit. It is known as Form HSMV 83330, which is required to verify that the car is insured. You need to file this form if you're buying a vehicle, and you'll need your proof of insurance to have this form accepted.
Approved loan documentation if an auto loan is needed.
If you're the buyer, you should also receive a lien satisfaction document from the seller, if one exists. This document proves that the seller has paid off any loan on the vehicle so that you know you're getting a title that's free of any liens.
Once you've gathered and completed all these forms, take them (along with all required payments and proofs) to the tax collector's office. As the buyer, you should choose the tax collector in the county where you intend to register your new vehicle.
If you're the seller, you've completed everything you need to do; however, you may want to accompany the buyer to the tax collector's office.
Is it Possible to Get a Duplicate Florida Car Title?
Yes. If you need to replace your motor vehicle certificate of title for any reason (you've lost it, it was damaged or destroyed, etc.), go to the tax collector's office to get an Application for Duplicate Title. You can also download the form and submit the completed document to the county tax collector's office.
To receive your duplicate car title, you'll need proof of your identity, plus proof of lien satisfaction (if you want a lien-free title). You'll also have to pay the applicable Florida title transfer fees.
By following all the rules for the transfer of title, you can make sure you comply with all relevant Florida statutes, and completing and filing your application for a title can go smoothly.
Another way to obtain a hard copy of your car's title in Florida is to visit the virtual office on the Florida DMV website. Follow the electronic instructions and pay online. The paper title will be mailed to the owner's address as reflected on the owner's record and takes approximately 7-10 business days.
How Much Does a Title Transfer in Florida Cost?
The cost of a Florida car title varies between $75 and $115 when transferring a used car title. The cost depends on whether your title is from out-of-state or Florida, as well as if you are thirty or more days late in transferring the title from the purchase date.
Registering your car comes at an additional fee, together with the 6% to 7% sales tax on the car's purchase price.
For additional information on the fees associated with Florida car titles, you can visit flhsmv.gov.
What is a Vehicle Title?
First and foremost, before we take a closer look at having a car title in Florida, you need to understand what a vehicle title is.
A vehicle title is a formal document declaring ownership of a car, motorhome, trailer, or truck. Once the vehicle is sold, the title needs to be transferred to either the new vehicle owner or the lienholder.
A car's title describes the vehicle by:
- Make, model, and year
- Number of doors and passengers
- Weight
- The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
A certificate of title is available in paper form or as an electronic title and is the proof of ownership of the vehicle in the state of Florida. Most vehicles in Florida need to be titled, with the exemption of mopeds, motorized bicycles, and any trailers weighing under 2,000 pounds.
In the state of Florida, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) issues all the state titles. The Florida DMV has discarded the old paper routine and switched over to an electronic lien and title service.
Why is a Vehicle Identification Number Necessary for a Car's Title?
When you apply for a Florida car title or vehicle registration for a previously registered car in another state, the DHSMV needs to verify that the vehicle identification number, or VIN, is the same as the number shown on your proof of ownership document.
Several officials are authorized to conduct the physical inspection involved in verifying the vehicle identification number. These include any law enforcement officer, an employee of the county tax collector office, any licensed motor vehicle dealer, or a Division of Motor Vehicle Compliance Examiner. Any of these officials may complete Form HSMV 82042, which verifies the VIN. You can collect this form at the tax collector's office.
No VIN verification is required if you're buying a new motor vehicle licensed in Florida. Another exemption from VIN verification is travel trailers (including camp trailers and fifth-wheel trailers), truck campers, and mobile homes.
