Certificate of Title
A certificate of title in either electronic or paper form is the proof of ownership of a vehicle, mobile home, or vessel in the state of Florida. Most vehicles, mobile homes, or vessels are required to be titled, with the exception of mopeds, motorized bicycles, and trailers weighing less than 2,000 pounds.
You must apply for a title in your name when you purchase a vehicle, mobile home, or vessel; bring a vehicle, mobile home, or vessel into Florida from another state or country; or if the ownership of a vehicle, mobile home, or vessel changes.
Ownership of a Vehicle by a Minor
There is not a statutory age limit on any persons for ownership of a motor vehicle. However, you may want to check with the insurance company before titling vehicle in the name of a minor. The following is a list of person(s) authorized to sign the application for certificate of title for the minor.
- The minor
- The minor’s natural guardian.
- The minor’s appointed guardian. The letters of guardianship must be submitted with application.
If the Minor has no proof of picture ID, Driver License or Passport a Birth Certificate would be acceptable if under 5 years of age.
Acquiring a Title
In Florida, to obtain a certificate of title you must, at minimum, have the following:
- Proof of identity: A driver license or identification card from any state, or a passport. Identification must be current and valid.
- Proof of ownership: A Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin or out-of-state title
- A completed Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration (HSMV form 82040).
- Fees for sales tax and title.
- If a license plate is purchased, you must have valid Florida insurance and registration fees. (For more information regarding fees, visit FLHSMV’s fees page. For insurance information, visit FLHSMV’s insurance page.)
If you are a military service member or veteran, please visit FLHSMV’s Military and Veteran Information page for title information specific to your military or veteran status.
Titles with two owners
In Florida, vehicles, mobile homes, or vessels that are owned by two or more owners can have the ownership joined by either an “and” or “or.”
Owners joined by “and” share equal responsibility for the vehicle, mobile home, or vessel, and owners must be present, designate a power of attorney, or have the title certificate signed by each owner as seller for the title to be transferred out of their names.
Owners joined by “or” allows either owner to take individual responsibility for the vehicle, mobile home, or vessel, and either owner may be present or may sign a bill of sale for the title to be transferred out of their names.
Please note: When a title with two owners is joined by “or,” and one owner wants to remove their name, that owner becomes the seller, and the second owner becomes the purchaser in the transfer section of the title. A new title is then issued.
Power of Attorney
When necessary, you can provide a general or limited power of attorney to a third party to handle your title and registration. FLHSMV provides a limited Power of Attorney for a Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home, or Vessel form (HSMV form 82053) for your use.
Vehicle & Vessel Registration
Please be aware there are many versions of a title in circulation, so when completing your transfer, make sure you are putting the information in the correct location.
- Section 320.02(1), Florida Statutes provides,“Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, every owner or person in charge of a motor vehicle which is operated or driven on the roads of this state shall register the vehicle in this state.”
No registration is required for any motor vehicle which is not operated on the roads of this state during the registration period. The only exception to this is a mobile home, which must be registered regardless of whether it is being used, per section 320.18, Florida Statutes.
Selling a Vehicle In Florida? Get this helpful Guide to Help you Sell and Legally Transfer Titles.
Vehicle Purchase by an Out-Of-State Resident
- When a resident of another state purchases a vehicle in Florida for use in applicant’s home state, it is not subject to Florida title or registration.
- If a vehicle is financed by a Florida lending institution, the lien should be filed in the applicant’s state of legal residence.
- A Florida title will not be issued for the purpose of recording a lien.
Insurance Verification
Section 320.02(5)(a) Florida Statutes, requires a motor vehicle owner to provide proof that personal injury protection benefits have been purchased when required under s. 627.733, that property damage liability coverage has been purchased as required under s. 324.022 and that combined bodily liability insurance and property damage liability insurance have been purchased when required under s. 627.7415.
Proof of insurance coverage shall be provided by the applicant at the time of application for the registration of any motor vehicle owned as defined in s. 627.732 in the manner prescribed by law. The issuing license plate agent shall refuse to issue registration if such proof of insurance is not provided. Chapters 316, 320, 324, 626, and 627, related to motor vehicle registration and insurance requirements established by the “Motor Vehicle Insurance Reform Act of 1988”, Chapter 88-730, provide for stricter verification of motor vehicle insurance, prior to registration. As a result of the act, insurance companies selling motor vehicle insurance in Florida must report the insurance and discontinuance of vehicle policies in Florida.
Policy information as reported to the Florida Department of Insurance by insurance companies is placed on an insurance data file which is matched against both the vehicle data file and the driver license data file maintained by the Department. Information provided by insurers will be used to indicate insurance status on the vehicle file.
