A certificate of title in either electronic or paper form is the proof of ownership of a vehicle, mobile home, or vessel in the state of Florida. Most vehicles, mobile homes, or vessels are required to be titled, with the exception of mopeds, motorized bicycles, and trailers weighing less than 2,000 pounds.
You must apply for a title in your name when you purchase a vehicle, mobile home, or vessel; bring a vehicle, mobile home, or vessel into Florida from another state or country; or if the ownership of a vehicle, mobile home, or vessel changes. When you purchase a motor vehicle through a private sale or change the ownership status, you must apply for a title and registration in your name within 30 days.
Florida State Titles
A Certificate of Title is proof of ownership in Florida. When a motor vehicle, mobile home or boat is sold, a new Certificate of Title must be issued in the purchaser(s) name. All vehicles are required to be titled, except mopeds, motorized bicycles and trailers weighing less than 2,000 lbs. Titles are obtained by making a reservation to visit one of our service centers.
Expedited Title Service
For Florida Title holders, we offer expedited (same day) title service for an additional $10.00 fee. If all documentation is provided at your reservation, a Certificate of Title is produced in the office. Valid photo identification is required. If the owner is not present and is being represented by another person, an original HSMV 82053 (Power of Attorney) form must be provided by the owner.
Out Of State Titles
To register a vehicle that was previously titled out-of-state, complete and sign Form 82040 MV: Application for Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title. Additionally, you will need the following documents:
- Proof of valid Florida insurance
- Signatures of seller(s) and/or applicant(s)
- Valid passport or U.S. driver license/ID card
- Completed and signed bill of sale/dealer invoice
- Proof of sales tax paid if owned less than 6 months or change of ownership
- Vehicle for VIN verification (weather permitting) or Section 8 completed on form HSMV 82040
- Copy of the current registration certificate Out-of-state title certificate
For a convenient printed checklist to assist you with an out-of-state title, click one of the links below:
Out-of-State Title
You must have ALL of the following:
- Proof of valid Florida insurance
- Signatures of seller(s) and/or applicant(s)
- Completed and signed form 82040 MV: Application for Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title
- Valid passport or U.S. driver license/ID card
- Completed and signed bill of sale/dealer invoice
- Proof of sales tax paid if owned less than 6 months or change of ownership
- Verification of VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)*
- Out-of-state title certificate*
- Copy of the current Florida registration certificate
Florida Title Transfer
You must have ALL of the following:
- Proof of valid Florida insurance
- Signatures of seller(s) and/or applicant(s)
- Completed and signed form 82040 MV: Application for Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title
- Valid passport or U.S. driver license/ID card
- Completed and signed bill of sale/dealer invoice
- Florida Certificate of Title completed and signed
- Copy of the current Florida registration certificate
Brand New Title
You must have ALL of the following:
- Proof of valid Florida insurance
- Completed and signed form 82040 MV: Application for Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title
- Valid passport or U.S. driver license/ID card
- Completed and signed bill of sale/dealer invoice
- Original Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO)
- Original odometer disclosure statement
- Copy of the current Florida registration certificate
Did you know vehicle titles are electronic?
An e-title is a title record held in an electronic database. When an e-titled vehicle is purchased using a loan, it is called an Electronic Lien Title (ELT). For both ELTs and e-titles, a paper title has not been printed. A paper duplicate can be obtained by mail, drop box or at one of our service centers by making a reservation.
What is a lienholder?
A lienholder is a bank, dealership, etc. that has a secured interest in a vehicle due to debt owed on that vehicle. In other words, the vehicle is not completely paid for and is currently being financed.
Lienholder Letters
Before our office can transfer a title from another state to Florida for a vehicle that currently has a lienholder (i.e., it is financed, and payments are being made), permission must be obtained from the lienholder giving us authorization to transfer the title.
To save you a visit to one of our service centers and as a convenience for you, we have form letters that you can complete to request that your lienholder send us authorization to transfer the title to Florida.
Here’s how to do that:
- Select from the location list on this page which service center you would like to process this request, click the link to the form and follow the instructions on the form letter to complete.
- Once you complete the form, send it directly to the lienholder you list at the top of the form.
- Make an in-person reservation at the same office location you selected. In order to allow time for the lienholder letter to be returned to us, please make your in-person reservation at least 30-days in the future.
- The lienholder will process your request and return it directly to the office you selected.
- Once received, it will be ready for you to pick up at your scheduled reservation.
Lienholder letter Locations
Please click the link for your preferred location to download the lienholder letter: