Titles and Registrations

All motor vehicles being registered in Florida for the first time must have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verified (Form 82042). The Tax Collector’s Office performs this service as a courtesy at the time of registration (weather permitting). The VIN can also be verified by any law enforcement officer, a Florida notary public or a Florida motor vehicle dealer.

EXCEPTION: All used vehicles coming into Florida from a foreign country must have the vehicle identification number verified by a DMV Compliance Examiner/Inspector. This does not include vehicles from American Samoa, Virgin Islands, Guam or Puerto Rico.

Requirements & Additional Information

Florida Vehicle Titles

To transfer the ownership of a motor vehicle or mobile home titled in Florida, our office will need to see the following documents:

• The Florida title properly completed by both the buyer and the seller in its entirety on the “Transfer of Title by Seller” section of title. If a lien is being recorded, the lien holder’s name, their Federal Employer’s Identification number, address, and date of lien are needed. If the lien holder is an individual(s), their driver’s license number and date of birth will be needed, as well as mailing address.
• The purchaser(s) or their power of attorney(s) must be present to sign a new application for title. We will need an original or certified Power of Attorney form (82053). The purchaser(s) and/or their power of attorney will need to produce photo identification such as a driver license, identification card, or passport.
• Proof of Florida insurance with the company name, policy number, and 5 digit insurance company code
• If transferring a current license plate, the previous registration or vehicle information such as license plate or decal number will be needed and a disposed of affidavit must be signed.
• Sales tax will be collected on the purchase price of the vehicle as stated on the title.
• We offer a fast title service for an additional fee of $10.00, if the title needs to be printed immediately, as long as there are no liens on the vehicle/vessel.

All title transfers may be processed by mail as well. Please contact our office (352) 341-6500 for more information.

Out-of-State Titles

To title and register a vehicle in Florida that is currently titled in another state in your name, you will need to bring the following to the Tax Collector’s Office:

• The out-of-state title certificate and registration in your name.
  OR
  If the vehicle is titled in your name, but it is financed and the title is being held by the lien holder, we will need to write your lien holder and request the title to be sent to our office. In order to complete the process, we will need the lien holder information including account number, lien holder name, mailing address, telephone number and fax #.
• If vehicle is leased, bring lease agreement.
• The owner(s) or their power of attorney(s) must be present to sign a new application for title. We will need an original or certified Power of Attorney form (82053). The owner(s) and/or their power of attorney will need to produce valid photo identification such as a driver license, identification card, or passport.
• The VIN (vehicle identification number) and odometer reading must be verified. The Tax Collector’s staff can complete the Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification (82042 form) (weather permitting) at the time of title application. If the vehicle will not be available to take to the Tax Collector’s Office, the form can be completed by a law enforcement officer, a Florida notary, a DMV inspector, or a Florida licensed car dealer. The verification can be completed by an out of state car dealership providing that the information is given on the dealership’s company letterhead.
• Proof of Florida insurance with company name, 5 digit insurance company code and policy number.
• If transferring a license plate that was registered in Florida, the previous registration or vehicle information such as license plate or decal number will be needed and a disposed of affidavit must be signed.
• Proof of sales tax being paid if the vehicle has been owned by you for less than 6 months. Additional taxes equivalent to Florida’s sales tax and local sales tax may be due.
• We offer a Fast Title Service for an additional fee of $10.00, if the title is needed immediately.

To title and register a vehicle in Florida that is currently titled in another state not in your name, you will need to bring the following to the Tax Collector’s Office:

• The out of state title certificate with the transfer section completed
• The purchaser(s) or their power of attorney(s) must be present to sign a new application for title. We will need an original or certified Power of Attorney form (82053). The purchaser(s) and/or their power of attorney will need to produce photo identification such as a driver license, identification card, or passport.
• The VIN (vehicle identification number) and odometer reading must be verified. The Tax Collector’s staff can complete the Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification (weather permitting) at the time of title application. If the vehicle will not be available to take to the Tax Collector’s Office, the form can be completed by a law enforcement officer, a Florida notary, a DMV inspector, or a Florida licensed car dealer. The verification can be completed by an out of state car dealership providing that the information is given on the dealership’s company letterhead.
• Proof of Florida insurance with company name, 5 digit insurance company code and policy number.
• If transferring a license plate that was registered in Florida, the previous registration or vehicle information such as license plate or decal number will be needed and a disposed of affidavit must be signed.
• We offer a Fast Title Service for an additional fee of $10.00, if the title is needed immediately.

New Vehicles

All new vehicles are required to have a MCO (Manufacturer Certificate of Origin) or MSO (Manufacturer Statement of Origin) which must be signed and notarized (if applicable) by a licensed dealer for transfer to the buyer. If you are applying by mail, please contact our office for assistance. Sales tax will be collected if applicable**. All title fees, lien fees and registration fees must be paid, if applicable.

Hope Scholarship Program

Beginning October 1, 2018, anyone who purchases or registers a qualifying motor vehicle may designate $105, of the state sales tax due at the time of purchase or registration, to the Hope Scholarship Program per Florida Statutes 1002.40. If the state sales tax due is less than $105, the designated amount would be the state sales tax due.

A qualifying “Motor vehicle” means any automobile, truck with a net vehicle weight of 5,000 pounds or less and any other vehicle operated on the roads of Florida used to transport persons or property. Heavy trucks, truck tractors, trailers, motorcycles, and mopeds are not “motor vehicles” for purposes of the Hope Scholarship Program.

Persons interested in designating sales tax to the Hope Scholarship Program must complete a Dept. of Revenue form (DR-HS1) and submit it with the Florida title application to the local Tax Collector’s office.

Duplicate Florida Title Information

A duplicate Florida title may be obtained by completing a DMV form (Form 82101). It must be signed and submitted with an $78.25 fee to your local Tax Collector’s office. The application must be signed by the lien holder if an outstanding lien exists. If title is wanted immediately, expedited title fee is $85.75.

Print Title

Electronically maintaining the title to your vehicle eliminates the risk of losing it and having to pay title fees to obtain a duplicate. It is also an effective fraud deterrent because potential thieves will not have access to your title.

If a title is held electronically (no paper title printed) and there is no lien or the lien has been satisfied, the owner may request the title to be printed by visiting our Inverness Courthouse Annex or Crystal River branch office.

The owner or his/her Power of Attorney (POA) will need to provide photo identification in order to have the title printed. If a POA is requesting the title to be printed on behalf of the owner, we will need to see the original POA form also.

We can either print the title while you wait (Fast Title) for $10.00 or we can have the title printed and mailed from Tallahassee for $2.50. To request your electronic title to be printed and available to be picked up at one of our offices locations, click here.

**If you are selling your vehicle and the title is held electronically, the title will need to be printed.

If you have cancelled your auto insurance but still have possession of the vehicle, the registered owner must bring the license plate and registration into a local Tax Collector’s office. The representative will take possession of your license plate and provide you with the documentation that you will need to retain. If you choose to reinstate your insurance and register the same vehicle or another vehicle you acquire, you would need to submit this documentation to avoid the $225 Initial Registration Fee, if applicable.

Commonly Used Forms

General Documents

• General Affidavit
• Bill of Sale & Odometer Disclosure
• Vessel Bill of Sale
• Mobile Home Bill of Sale
• Application for Certificate of Title
• Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification

Military Documents

• Application for Certificate of Title
• Military Insurance Exemption Information
• U.S. Military Service Personnel Claiming an Exemption from FL Sales Tax
• Initial Registration Fee Exemption Form