Title & Registration for Motor Vehicles

• Are you moving to Florida?

   

  Out of State Title Transfer Information

  Transferring your out-of-state vehicle to Florida will require the following documents. This process can be completed in person by scheduling an appointment or you can complete by mail. Please see the Out of State Title Transfer Information sheet for a printable reference guide to the requirements.

  • Out-of-state original Certificate of Title: Both the buyer and seller must properly complete the "Transfer of Title by Seller" section on the title. It must include printed names and signatures of buyer(s) and seller(s), odometer reading and date read (unless exempt), selling price, and date of sale. *Note: Cross-outs, white-out, alterations, or erasures may void the title.
    
    • If your title is being held by a lien-holder, you will need to request the title be sent to our office so a Florida title can be applied for. We have a form you can pick up at either locations ( Main Office or  Spring Hill Branch Office) to send to your lien-holder. To save time, consider printing it off here.

    PLEASE NOTE: We cannot process your transfer until the title is received from your lienholder/lease company. Our office will contact you once we receive the title. Please do not schedule your appointment until the title is received.

    • Lien-holder Letter
  
  
  • Proof of current Florida insurance: The card, policy, certificate, or binder must state the insurance is in Florida and must list the specific information for the vehicle you are titling. Insurance cannot be expired, post-dated, or from any other U.S. state or territory. 
    
    
  • Identification: All purchasers * must be present and must bring with them a valid U.S. Driver License/ID card. If you don't have a U.S. Driver License/ID card, we can also accept a U.S. or foreign passport, or a Canadian Driver License/ID card.
    • *If an owner cannot be present, consider using a  Power of Attorney form to complete the transaction; you must have a copy of the absent applicant's valid state-issued Driver License/ID card or U.S. or foreign passport.
      
      
  • Vehicle identification number & odometer disclosure statement: The identification number on your vehicle must be verified by a law enforcement officer or FL. notary. This form is available in any auto tag office and must be completed prior to registering your vehicle. To save time, consider printing it off here.  If your vehicle is currently titled/registered out of country, your VIN verification must be done by the DMV Compliance office. Please contact (813) 612-7110 to schedule an appointment and obtain more information regarding required documentation.
    
    
    • VIN Verification Form 82042

  • Application for Title: The application for certificate of title is required to be completed for all title transactions processed by mail or drop-box. Please make sure to complete both front and back of the form. All applicants/owners must sign in Section 12.
  
  

  • 82040: VESSEL

  • 82040: MOTOR VEHICLE

  • 82040: MOBILE HOME

  • Proof of sales tax paid: If you have owned your vehicle for less than 6 months, you must show proof that you paid equivalent to our current rate of sales tax or the difference will be collected. Sales tax is calculated on the purchase price less any trade-in allowance. The sales tax rate is 6% plus county discretionary sales tax. A dealer invoice or title/registration, which specifically lists sales tax paid, are the most common ways to prove this.
    
    
  • If purchasing a license plate for a motor vehicle for the first time: The initial registration fee is approximately $225. If you have recently purchased the vehicle out-of-state, you may be subject to additional fees.
    • If transferring a license plate submit the previous registration. If you do not have the previous registration, we can print a duplicate for $3 if you provide the license plate or decal number.

   Businesses are required to submit documentation showing they are a valid business. Out-of-state businesses must submit a valid IRS tax return or occupational license to prove validity. Florida businesses can submit a printout from SunBiz.
      *Note: If the individual acting on behalf of the business is not listed as an officer, director, or registered agent on  SunBiz, or if it is from out-of-state, the individual in our office for the transfer must also submit a letter (on letterhead) that authorizes them to act on behalf of the business.

  ** The appropriate fees may be paid by cash, money order, or personal check drawn on a local bank. Credit and debit cards are accepted for an additional fee.

  Appointment

• Bought a car or truck from Florida in a private sale?

  To transfer ownership and register any used automobile, truck, motorcycle, trailer over 2000 pounds, or mobile home, you must bring the following documents and information with you to any Tax Collector's office. You have 30 days to transfer the title before a late fee is charged.  

  • Florida Certificate of Title: ;Title must be signed by the seller to buyer. Buyer must sign if there is space for buyer's signature. All registered owners must be present to sign new title applications.
    • The selling price, odometer reading, and the date odometer was read must be filled in on the title.
      
      
  • Identification: All purchasers* must be present and must bring with them a valid U.S. Driver License/ID card. If you don't have a U.S. Driver License/ID card, we can also accept a U.S. or foreign passport, or a Canadian Driver License/ID card.
    • *If an owner cannot be present, consider using a Power of Attorney form to complete the transaction; you must have a copy of the absent applicant's valid state-issued Driver License/ID card or U.S. or foreign passport.
      
      
  • Proof of Florida insurance: Insurance must be in the form of a card, policy or binder. Insurance cannot be expired, post-dated, or from any other U.S. state or territory.
    
    
  • Bill of sale: 6% sales tax will be collected on the purchase price, plus county discretionary sales tax. The cost to transfer the title is $75.75. If you want your title mailed to you, instead of having it held electronically, it will be an extra charge. If you want the title printed the same day, it is an extra charge.
    
    
  • Current registration: If you have a current registered Florida license plate from a vehicle to transfer, you will need to bring the registration certificate with you. 
    OR
    If you are purchasing a license plate for a motor vehicle for the first time: The initial registration fee is approximately $225. The other fees that will be collected are for the title transfer with taxes, license plate, and for the registration fee.
    
    

  ***Fees may be paid in the form of cash, money order, or a personal check drawn on a local bank. Debit and Credit cards are accepted for an additional fee.

• Have you lost your title, license plate, or vehicle registration?

  If you've lost or misplaced your title, we can issue you a duplicate in any of our offices. Just make sure you have a current odometer reading for the vehicle and a valid Driver License/ID card or U.S. or foreign passport. Duplicate titles are mailed from the Division of Motor Vehicles in Tallahassee within 7-10 business days from the date processed. If you need your duplicate title sooner, apply in person and pay an additional $10 for our fast title service, and walk out with your title that same day.

  • Duplicate Title Packet

  If your license plate and/or decal is lost or stolen, you must report the theft to your law enforcement department. You will also need to bring your vehicle registration to our office, a valid Driver License/ID card or U.S. or foreign passport, and the stolen report from Law Enforcement agency.
       - There is no fee for replacement if you have a theft report of the stolen license plate from Law Enforcement.
       - If you do not have the report from a Law Enforcement agency, a replacement fee will be charged.

  • Replacement Form

  If you have lost your vehicle registration, you will need your license plate number and/or decal number and a valid Driver License/ID card or U.S. or foreign passport to purchase a replacement for a $3.00 fee.

• Need to renew your registration/license plates?

  Remember your tag expires at midnight on your birthday. Therefore, it is important that you renew your tag on or before your birthday. Truck-tractors, semi-trailers, business owned trucks over 5,000 lbs., cargo vans over 5,000 lbs. and privately-owned trucks with a GVW over 8,000 lbs., automobiles for hire that seat nine or more passengers, and mobile home registrations expire expire each year on December 31st.

  Owners now have the convenient option of registering for 1 or 2 years at a time. To renew online go to: RenewExpress. To renew your tag in person, bring the following 3 items to our office:

  • Your reminder notice, previous registration or tag number.
  • Proof of Florida insurance (insurance card or policy) and all owners Florida Driver License numbers
  • Payment in the form of cash, money order or personal check drawn on a local bank
         _{***Note: After the 10th day of the following month of birth, late penalties are added.}

  If you did not receive a courtesy reminder notice you may come to any of the Tax Collector's offices with your registration from the previous year or your tag number.

   For renewal fees see the HSMV Fee Schedule.