Motor Vehicle Titles

Florida Vehicle Titles

• The Florida title properly and fully completed by both the buyer and seller. This includes the buyer and seller’s signature and printed name, purchase date and price and if applicable odometer reading and date read. If recording a lien, the lien holders name, address and date of lien are required.
• Each applicant, or their appointed power of attorney, must be present to sign a new application for title. Bring personal identification in the form of a valid Real ID driver license or identification card issued by any state of the U.S., a U.S. passport. If you are the appointed power of attorney, the original or certified copy of the original signed appointment must be presented at time of application.
• If you are presenting an out-of-country passport as your identification document, the passport must be unexpired and have one of the following:
  • (a) A stamp or mark affixed by the United States Department of Homeland Security onto the passport to evidence and authorize lawful presence in the United States; or
  • (b) An unexpired I-94, or current permanent resident card, or unexpired immigrant visa, issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
• Applicant’s date of birth and Florida driver license number are recorded as part of the application.
• Sales tax is collected on the purchase price of a vehicle assigned to you.
• If purchasing a license plate for a motor vehicle, proof of Florida property damage and PIP insurance must be submitted. Company name, insurance identification code and policy number are required.
• If transferring a license plate or decal, submit the previous registration or license plate and decal number.

All transfers of ownership must be completed within 30 days of the date the vehicle is assigned by the owner, or a $20.00 penalty is levied at the time of transfer. The title fee is $75.75, if electronically maintained by the State. An additional fee of $2.50 will apply if a paper title is to be mailed, or $10.00 if printed in office.

Out-of-State Titles

• If there is no lien on the vehicle, the original title must be presented.
  
  • Each applicant, or their appointed power of attorney, must be present and show valid identification (state issued Real ID driver license/identification card, passport). If a power of attorney is appointed, the original or certified copy of the signed appointment must be presented at the time of application along with a copy of the applicant’s valid identification.
  • If recording a lien, the lienholder’s name, address and date of lien are required. If lienholder is an individual, a copy of their valid state issued driver's license or ID must be included.
  • If you are presenting an out-of-country passport as your identification document, the passport must be unexpired and have one of the following:
    
    • (a) A stamp or mark affixed by the United States Department of Homeland Security onto the passport to evidence and authorize lawful presence in the United States; or
    • (b) An unexpired I-94, or current permanent resident card, or unexpired immigrant visa, issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
  • Vehicle must be present for a vehicle identification number (VIN) verification (weather permitting). If the vehicle is not available, a list of individuals authorized to complete the form can be found in Part B of the Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification, Form HSMV 82042.
  • Payment of sales tax equal to that of Florida state and local tax.  A credit may be allowed with proof of a like tax paid in another state. An out-of-state title already issued in your name is not subject to sales tax with proof that the vehicle was purchased and used 6 months or more in another state.
  • If purchasing a license plate for a motor vehicle, proof of Florida property damage and PIP insurance must be submitted. Company name, insurance identification code and policy number, and policy dates are required.
  • If transferring a license plate, submit the previous registration, license plate, or decal number.

•  If the vehicle is already titled in your name, but is financed and the title is held by the lienholder.
  
  • You will have to request that the title be sent to our office for transfer to Florida. You can contact the lienholder to retrieve a fax number, as to where the request form should be sent.
  •  Visit our office to complete a Lienholder Title Request form (HSMV 83060) and provide the fax number. It normally takes about 2 weeks for our office to receive the original out of state title.
  • Each applicant, or their appointed power of attorney, must be present and show valid identification (state issued Real ID driver license/identification card, passport). If a power of attorney is appointed, the original or certified copy of the signed appointment must be presented at the time of application along with a copy of the applicant’s valid identification.
  • If you are presenting an out-of-country passport as your identification document, the passport must be unexpired and have one of the following:
    
    • (a) A stamp or mark affixed by the United States Department of Homeland Security onto the passport to evidence and authorize lawful presence in the United States; or
    • (b) An unexpired I-94, or current permanent resident card, or unexpired immigrant visa, issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
  • Vehicle must be present for a vehicle identification number (VIN) verification (weather permitting). If the vehicle is not available, a list of individuals authorized to complete the form can be found in Part B of the Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification, Form HSMV 82042.
  • Payment of sales tax equal to that of Florida state and local tax.  A credit may be allowed with proof of a like tax paid in another state. An out-of-state title already issued in your name is not subject to sales tax with proof that the vehicle was purchased and used 6 months or more in another state.
  • If purchasing a license plate for a motor vehicle, proof of Florida property damage and PIP insurance must be submitted. Company name, insurance identification code and policy number, and policy dates are required.
  • If transferring a license plate, submit the previous registration, license plate, or decal number.

All transfers of ownership must be completed within 30 days of the date the vehicle is assigned by the owner, or a $20.00 penalty is levied at the time of transfer. The title fee is $85.75, if electronically maintained by the State. An additional fee of $2.50 will apply if a paper title is to be mailed, or $10.00 if printed in office.

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.
• A bill of sale must be provided.
• If recording a lien, the lienholder’s name, address and date of lien are required. If lienholder is an individual, a copy of their valid state issued driver license must be included.
• Each applicant, or their appointed power of attorney, must be present and show valid identification (state issued Real ID driver license/identification card, passport). If a power of attorney is appointed, the original or certified copy of the signed appointment must be presented at the time of application along with a copy of the applicant’s valid identification.
• If you are presenting an out-of-country passport as your identification document, the passport must be unexpired and have one of the following:
  
  • (a) A stamp or mark affixed by the United States Department of Homeland Security onto the passport to evidence and authorize lawful presence in the United States; or
  • (b) An unexpired I-94, or current permanent resident card, or unexpired immigrant visa, issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
• Payment of sales tax equal to that of Florida state and local tax.  A credit may be allowed with proof of a like tax paid in another state.
• If purchasing a license plate for a motor vehicle, proof of Florida property damage and PIP insurance must be submitted. Company name, insurance identification code and policy number, and policy dates are required.
• If transferring a license plate, submit the previous registration, license plate, or decal number.

Duplicate Titles

Now Available Online

Skip the trip to our office. This service is now available through MyDMV Portal, an online service from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Complete it securely from your computer or phone, on your own schedule.

Important: This is a state-run service through FLHSMV. For questions or support, please use the FLHSMV contact numbers listed below.

• For assistance accessing or setting up your account: 850-617-3803
• For assistance completing a transaction online: 850-617-2000

Need it fast, or running into issues online? You can visit one of our offices instead.

In Office Processing

• Only the registered owner or lienholder on record may apply for a duplicate Florida title.

If there’s a lien:

• • • Only the lienholder can apply for a duplicate title.
    • If the lien is satisfied and it is not an electronic lien but still shows as outstanding in our system, your lienholder must submit a Lien Satisfaction, Form 82260 with your duplicate title application.
    • If your lien is electronic, please reach out to your lienholder so they can release it electronically.

• You will need to complete a Duplicate Title Application form (HSMV 82101)
• Present a valid photo ID:
  
  • State-issued Real ID driver license or ID
  • U.S. passport
  • If you are presenting an out-of-country passport as your identification document, the passport must be unexpired and have one of the following:
    
    • A stamp or mark affixed by the United States Department of Homeland Security onto the passport to evidence and authorize lawful presence in the United States; OR
    • An unexpired I-94, or current permanent resident card, or unexpired immigrant visa, issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

•  If someone other than the owner is picking up the title, provide:
  • Authorization/Release Affidavit for Expedited Title
  • Copy of owner’s identification
  • Copy of third party’s identification

The duplicate title fee is $75.75. An additional fee of $2.50 will apply if a paper title is to be mailed, or $10.00 if printed same day in office.

Miscellaneous Title Applications and Transfers

Contact the Tax Collector’s Office for information on miscellaneous title applications and transfers such as Death of Owner, Court Orders, Change of Name, Repossessions, Rebuilt Vehicles, and Bankruptcy.

Sales Tax

Sales tax as required by Chapter 212, Florida Statutes is 6% of the purchase price, less trade in, if any. Gifts, trade down or even trade, order of court in divorce proceedings, inheritance, transfer to immediate family, change of name only, etc. , may be exempt from sales tax. Highlands County imposes a 1.5% county optional sales tax on the first $5,000.