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The bottom line: Titles are electronic by default. Convert to paper through the MyDMV Portal for $4.50 (mailed in 3 to 4 weeks), or get a same-day paper title in person via Fast Title at your county Tax Collector for $10.
Title transfer happens at your county Tax Collector's office, not a state agency. After the sale, file Form HSMV 82050 (Notice of Sale) within 30 days. That filing is what releases you from liability for the car.
License plates stay with the seller. Title notarization is not required.
Florida at a glance
- Title required to sell: yes
- Title notarization required: not required
- Cost to replace a lost title: $75.25
- Replacement title processing time: 3 to 4 weeks
- Title replacement available online: no
- Bill of sale required: not required but recommended
- Bill of sale notarization required: not required
- Emissions testing required to sell: not required
- Safety inspection required to sell: not required
- License plates stay: with the seller
- Buyer’s deadline to register: 30 days
- Buyer penalty for missing deadline: $20 late penalty
- Form to release yourself from liability: Form HSMV 82050 (Notice of Sale)
- Deadline to file release of liability: 30 days
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Step-by-Step Process for Florida
Step 1: Prepare Your Florida Paperwork
Documents you’ll need:
- Vehicle title – Must be in your name and clear of liens
- Valid Florida driver’s license – Names must match exactly
- Lien release documentation – If you still owe money on the car
If your title is missing:
You’ll need to get a replacement first. File Form HSMV 82101 by mail or in person at your county Tax Collector's office. The fee is $75.25, and the title comes back electronic by default.
If you need a paper title the same day, ask for Fast Title service in person for an extra $10.
What if you can’t get a title?
If you’re junking the car for parts or metal, Florida lets you skip the title under Florida Statute 319.30: your car must be at least 10 model years old, valued under $1,000, and sold to a licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer or registered secondary metals recycler.
If you qualify, you and the buyer fill out Form HSMV 82137 (Derelict Motor Vehicle Certificate) at pickup. You handle your section, the buyer handles the rest. The car can never be titled again after this, so this path is for scrap and salvage only.
Online junk buyers like Peddle and Wheelzy are licensed salvage dealers, so they qualify. They typically handle most of the paperwork and offer free towing.
Compare offers: See what salvage buyers will pay for your car. In section 4, select “I don’t have a title.”
Learn more: Can You Sell a Car Without a Title in Florida?
If you still owe money on the car:
Florida law prohibits selling a vehicle with an active lien in a private sale. Your lender must release the lien before you can transfer the title. Contact your lender directly to start their payoff and lien release process.
If you owe more than the car’s worth, you’ll need to pay the difference before the sale can be completed.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car?
Name matching requirement:
Check your title carefully. The name on your driver’s license must match the name on the title exactly. If you got married or changed your name, bring documentation showing the name change.
Step 2: Prepare Your Car
Clean your car inside and out, gather maintenance records, and run a VIN check to get the best price and build buyer confidence.
Learn more:
Step 3: Price Your Car
Learn more: Best Free Car Valuation Tools
Step 4: Advertise Your Car
Facebook Marketplace works best in Florida, especially in Miami, Orlando, and Tampa where buyer activity is highest. Cars.com and Autotrader are good for reaching buyers statewide and from neighboring states.
You can also compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor all in one place.
Peddle or Wheelzy will buy your old or damaged car directly, and Carvana will give you competitive offers if you have a newer car.
Best for Newer Cars
-
Offer amount 35% 5/5
-
Process ease 20% 5/5
-
Offer validity 15% 4/5
-
Pickup / drop-off 15% 4/5
-
Payment speed 15% 4/5
- Accepts cars with active loans
- Trade-in can save on sales tax
- License plate starts the quote
- Direct deposit option available
Best for Older Cars
-
Offer amount 30% 5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 4/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 5/5
-
Process ease 15% 5/5
- Quote stays valid for 7 days
- Handles all the paperwork too
- Buys cars that are missing keys
- Pays cash or check at pickup
Best for Junk Cars
-
Offer amount 30% 5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 5/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
-
Process ease 15% 4/5
- Assists with replacement titles
- Buys cars stripped for parts
- Driver pays you before loading
- Quote often needs a phone call
Learn more:
Step 5: Meet with Buyers Safely
Always meet at public places like bank parking lots during daylight hours.
Learn more:
Step 6: Handle Payment and Negotiate
Cash for cars under $5,000, cashier’s check (verify at bank), or meet at buyer’s bank for wire transfer.
Learn more:
Step 7: Complete the Florida Title Transfer
Fill out the “Transfer of Title by Seller” section on the front of your printed paper title. You’ll enter the buyer’s full name and address, the sale date, the selling price, and the odometer reading. Both you and the buyer must sign and print your names.
Use only blue or black ink. Any corrections, white-out, or cross-outs can void the title completely. If you make a mistake, you’ll need to apply for a duplicate title before proceeding.
If your title is electronic: See the conversion options in the bottom line above. You also have a third option: complete a secure title reassignment together at the Tax Collector’s office, with no paper printed and no fee.
Odometer disclosure form: none, recorded directly on the title for vehicles model year 2011 or newer under 20 years old. Vehicles from model year 2010 and older are exempt.
Joint ownership: If your title lists two owners with “and” between the names (or a slash), all listed owners must sign the seller section. If the title uses “or” between names, only one owner needs to sign.
After the sale, the buyer must take the signed title to a Tax Collector’s office to complete the registration. They have 30 days to do this. Missing that deadline results in a $20 late penalty.
Step 8: Sign Bill of Sale (Recommended)
A bill of sale is not required but recommended in Florida. It’s smart protection for you as a record of the transaction details.
You can use our free bill of sale generator to create one in minutes.
Notarization is not required.
Learn more: What is Bill of Sale for a Car? (Seller Guide + Templates)
Step 9: Handle Florida License Plates and Registration
In Florida, license plates stay with the seller. You can transfer your plates to another vehicle you own, or surrender them to your county Tax Collector to avoid driver's license suspension.
Learn more: How to Remove License Plates Safely?
Step 10: Submit the Release of Liability
Download and submit Form HSMV 82050 (Notice of Sale) File Form HSMV 82050 in person or by mail at your county Tax Collector's office.. You must do this within 30 days of the sale date.
This creates a paper trail showing you’re no longer responsible for the vehicle. If the buyer doesn’t register the car and you haven’t filed this form, you could be held liable for tickets or incidents tied to the vehicle.
Step 11: Cancel Insurance
Cancel your insurance only after the title transfer is complete.
Learn more: When to Cancel Car Insurance After Selling a Car?
Florida Sale Checklist
Before the Sale
At the Sale
After the Sale
Florida DMV Resources
State Resources:
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
- FLHSMV Selling a Vehicle in Florida Guide
- Find your local county Tax Collector office at flhsmv.gov (most title and registration services are handled by county offices, not state locations)
Phone Support:
- FLHSMV Customer Service: (850) 617-2000
For a full list of state DMV websites, visit our 50 States DMV Directory.
Florida Fees and Costs
| What You Pay? | Cost | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate title (if needed) | $75.25 | Before sale |
| Fast Title print fee | $10 | Before sale (required to convert electronic title to paper) |
| Lien payoff (if applicable) | Loan balance | Before sale |
| Everything else | $0 | Buyer pays |
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is a bill of sale required in Florida?
A bill of sale is not required but recommended.
It becomes practically important if any fields on the title are left incomplete, since the buyer will need a signed bill of sale to complete the transfer at the Tax Collector’s office.
My car was inherited. What additional Florida forms do I need?
It depends on whether the estate went through probate. If probated: letters testamentary or letters of administration. If not probated: Affidavit for Transfer of Motor Vehicle plus death certificate.
Either way, visit your county Tax Collector’s office with the title, your identification, and the supporting legal documents. The staff can confirm which forms apply to your situation.
Both my spouse and I are on the Florida title. Do we both need to sign?
It depends on how the names are joined on the title. If the title uses “and” between names (or a slash, or no separator), all listed owners must sign the seller section.
If the title uses “or” between names, only one owner needs to sign.
Check your title carefully before the sale to know which applies. If one owner can’t be present, they can complete a Power of Attorney form (HSMV 82053) to authorize the other to sign on their behalf.
What if I make a mistake on the Florida title?
Don’t try to fix it yourself with white-out or cross-outs. Any alterations can void the title completely.
You’ll need to apply for a duplicate title using Form HSMV 82101, pay the $75.25 fee, and start the signing process over on the new title.
The buyer is from out of state. Does Florida require anything special?
Your obligations as the Florida seller are the same regardless of where the buyer lives. You sign the title, remove your plates, and file the Notice of Sale.
The buyer will need to title and register the car in their home state, and their state may require a VIN inspection before accepting the out-of-state title.
Do I need to file a release of liability after selling my car in Florida?
Yes. Florida law requires sellers to file Form HSMV 82050 (Notice of Sale) within 30 days of the sale. Submit it File Form HSMV 82050 in person or by mail at your county Tax Collector's office..
Filing protects you from civil liability if the buyer doesn’t register the car.
How do I sell a junk car in Florida?
If your car is at least 10 model years old, valued under $1,000, and sold to a licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer or registered secondary metals recycler, Florida lets you skip the title using Form HSMV 82137 (Derelict Motor Vehicle Certificate). The buyer handles most of the paperwork at pickup.
For any other sale, you still need a title. Selling a junk car in Florida often involves online buyers like Peddle and Wheelzy.
Article Update History
All Florida requirements in this guide were verified against official FLHSMV sources and Florida statutes, including title transfer rules, the Notice of Sale filing requirement, and plate surrender laws.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Sources
Electronic Title Handling Note
"Titles are electronic by default. Convert to paper through the MyDMV Portal for $4.50 (mailed in 3 to 4 weeks), or get a same-day paper title in person via Fast Title at your county Tax Collector for $10." Accessed May 8, 2026
"your county Tax Collector's office" Accessed May 8, 2026
Release of Liability Form Name
"Form HSMV 82050 (Notice of Sale)" Accessed May 8, 2026
Release of Liability Filing Deadline
"30 days" Accessed May 8, 2026
"$75.25" Accessed May 8, 2026
Emissions Testing Required to Sell?
"not required" Accessed May 8, 2026
Buyer Penalty for Missing Registration Deadline
"$20 late penalty" Accessed May 8, 2026
Duplicate Title Application Form
"Form HSMV 82101" Accessed May 8, 2026
Sell Without Title: Legal Authority
"Florida Statute 319.30" Accessed May 8, 2026
"Form HSMV 82137 (Derelict Motor Vehicle Certificate)" Accessed May 8, 2026