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Titling and registering your vehicle in Florida

These procedures are based on rules and regulations that were in effect at the time of printing. Requirements could change with the passage of new laws. Only the most common questions are answered. Contact a tag office for answers to questions pertaining to individual circumstances.

Transferring:
Ownership of a vehicle titled and registered in Florida
Ownership of a vehicle titled and registered in another state
An out of state title to a Florida title with no change of ownerships

Points to remember
Tips
For more information

Transferring ownership of a vehicle titled and registered in Florida

Seller's checklist:
Provide the buyer with the original Florida title that includes:

1. Satisfaction of all liens
2. Completion of "Transfer of title by Seller" section
   • Buyer's name
   • Date of sale
   • Sale price
   • Odometer reading
   • Date odometer was read
   • Signature of seller(s)

Buyer's checklist:
Please provide a tag office with:

1. The original Florida title completed by the seller.
2. Proof of Florida insurance.
3. If a buyer has a tag to transfer, provide documentation in the form of a registration or tag surrender slip. In some cases, this may exempt you from the "Initial Registration Fee."

All buyers should be present and produce acceptable identification in the form of a driver’s license, state issued photo ID or passport. If this is not possible, contact your tag and title office for instructions.

Transferring ownership of a vehicle titled and registered in another state

Seller's checklist:
Provide the buyer with the original out-of-state title. Some states use registrations as proof of ownership. If you do not have a title, contact the state in question or a Florida tag office. Ownership papers must contain:

1. Satisfaction of all liens
2. Completion of "Transfer of title by Seller" section
3. Buyer's name
4. Date of sale
5. Sale price
6. Odometer reading
7. Date odometer was read
8. Signature of seller(s)

Buyer's checklist:
Please provide a tag office with:

1. The original out-of-state title or other acceptable ownership papers (see Seller's checklist) completed by the seller.
2. Proof of Florida insurance.
3. If a buyer has a tag to transfer, provide documentation in the form of a registration or tag surrender slip. In some cases, this may exempt you from the "Initial Registration Fee."

4. Bring the vehicle to a tag office for a physical inspection of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If the vehicle cannot be brought to the office, call for instructions.

All buyers should be present and be able to produce acceptable identification in the form of a driver’s license, state issued photo ID or passport. If this is not possible, contact a tag office for instructions.

Transferring an out-of-state title to a Florida title with no change of ownership

Owner's checklist
(Title not held by lien holder)
Provide the tag office with:

1. The original out-of-state title. Some states have alternative proofs of ownership. Contact the state in question or a Florida tag and title office where you will be instructed what alternate proof of ownership is acceptable.
2. Proof of Florida insurance.
3. If owner(s) has a Florida tag to transfer, provide documentation in the form of a tag, registration or tag surrender slip. In some cases, this may exempt you from the "Initial Registration Fee."

4. Bring the vehicle to a tag office for a physical inspection of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If the vehicle cannot be brought to the office, call for instructions.

All owners should be present and be able to produce acceptable identification in the form of a driver’s license, state issued photo ID or passport. If this is not possible, contact your tag office for instructions.

Proof of sales tax paid for vehicles owned less than six months. Florida collects 6% sales tax on all vehicles owned less than six months but credit will be given for sales tax paid in most states.

Owner's checklist:
(Title held by lien holder-this process requires two trips to the tag office)
Provide a tag office with:

1. Out of state registration
2. Name and address of lien holder or lease company
3. Lien account number
4. Proof of Florida insurance

5. Bring the vehicle to a tag and tittle office for a physical inspection of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If the vehicle cannot be brought to the office, call for instructions.

All owners should be present and produce acceptable identification in the form of a driver’s license, state issued photo ID or passport. If this is not possible, contact your tag office for special instructions.

Proof of sales tax paid for vehicles owned less than six months. Florida collects 6% sales tax on all vehicles owned less than six months, but credit will be given for sales tax paid in most states.

Lost title
If you have lost your out-of-state title, you must apply for a duplicate from that state. Please go to www.onlinedmv.com for information on each individual state. If your license plate is expired you can obtain a temporary tag while waiting for your duplicate title. You must bring a copy of the duplicate title application and Florida insurance.

Points to remember

• New residents are required to obtain a Florida title and tag within 10 days of filing for homestead exemption, enrolling children in school or accepting employment in Florida.

• Utility trailers weighing less than 2,000 pounds must be registered, but not titled.

• If you cancel insurance on a vehicle and do not plan to transfer your tag to another vehicle immediately, turn in your current license plate to your local tag office. This will avoid suspension of your driver’s license and holds being placed on registrations.

• Florida vehicle and boat registrations in an individual’s name(s) expire at midnight on the first owner’s birthday. Expiration dates for vehicles registered in company names, leased vehicles, mobile homes and other types of registrations vary. Check the registration for correct expiration dates.

• Owners joined by "and" require all signatures to purchase and sell.

• Owners joined by "or" require all signatures to purchase and one signature to sell.

• Acceptable forms of payment are cash, debit and checks made payable to the County of Volusia.

• An "initial registration fee" may be collected when the owner does not have a tag registered in their name for a vehicle they previously owned, to transfer to a newly acquired vehicle.

• Acceptable proof of Florida insurance can be a policy, binder or valid insurance card. Motorcycles, trailers, mobile homes and vessels are exempt from insurance requirements.

Odometer readings

• Odometer readings are required on title applications. When completing odometer disclosure forms, tenths of miles are not shown.

• If an odometer has five spaces for the mileage, but has exceeded 99,999 miles, mileage is considered "Excess of its mechanical limits" (X the appropriate box).

• If an odometer has been repaired or is broken, mileage is considered "Not Actual" (X the appropriate box).

• If an odometer has not rolled over and has not been tampered with, mileage is considered "Actual Mileage" (do not mark either box).

Address change

• If you change your address you must change your registration within 20 days of the move.

Tips

• It is recommended the seller accompany the buyer to the tag office to complete transfer.

• A buyer is required to transfer a title within 30 days of purchase or pay a penalty

• Never alter (erasures, white outs, cross outs) the title. If you make an error, contact a tag and title office for instructions.

• The following are exempt from physical vehicle identification number (VIN) verification:

  • New vehicles with an MCO sold by a licensed dealer.

  • Mobile homes.

  • Travel, camp or fifth wheel recreation trailers.

  • Trailers or semi-trailers with a net weight less than 2,000 pounds.

  • Truck campers.

For more information, please contact:

Volusia County Tag and Title Offices
Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday

Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center
123 W. Indiana Ave.,
DeLand FL 32720-4602
(386) 736-5936
Map

Daytona Beach Administration Building
250 N. Beach St., Room 101
Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3379
(386) 254-4610
Map

New Smyrna Beach Administration Office
111 Canal St.,
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168-7003
(386) 423-3322
Map

Orange City Administration Office
2744 Enterprise Rd.
Orange City, FL 32763
(386) 736-5936
Map

Other links of interest
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

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