Florida vehicle titles are issued by your local tax collector's office, but most dealerships will help you obtain one without having to visit the tax collector yourself. You should never take delivery of a new or used vehicle from a dealership without some form of documented title issuance or transfer. If you purchase a used vehicle directly from the previous owner, there are specific steps to take to transfer the title to your name.
A vehicle title is a certificate for proof of ownership to a motor vehicle in the state of Florida. Most vehicles are required to be titled, but there are a few exceptions.
To obtain a Florida vehicle title, you must have proof of ownership and proof of appropriate insurance (i.e. boat, car, motorcycle). You must take these documents to your local tax collector's office along with a check for any applicable sales tax, and the office will issue you a title. You must do this when you purchase a new motor vehicle or when you bring a motor vehicle into the state.
The basic vehicle title fees across Florida in 2010 are as follows: New Vehicles: $77.25; vehicles previously registered in Florida: $75.25; vehicles previously registered in another state or country: $85.25. There is an additional $2 fee when recording a lien on financed vehicles. To add a lien only costs $74.25.
After submitting your application for title along with all required documents and fees to the appropriate tax collector's office, a certificate of title will be mailed to you within five working days. Some counties offer expedited service for an extra fee.
Florida's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not require titles for mopeds, motorized bicycles, and trailers weighing less than 2,000 lbs. These vehicles still require registration, which you can obtain with proof of ownership, a bill of sale, and/or a vehicle identification number. Check with your local DMV office for details. For a list of DMV offices, see Resources.
