What You Need to Do to Transfer a Title in Florida
To transfer a vehicle title in Florida, you submit form HB 263 (process for Florida Title) to the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with the signed title from the seller, proof of ownership, and a bill of sale. The process takes about 7 to 10 business days if you submit by mail, or you can complete it in person at a local tax collector's office or DMV service center on the same day. You will also need to pay the title transfer fee, which is $75.25 in most Florida counties, though some counties charge slightly different amounts.
The exact steps depend on whether you are buying from a private seller, a dealership, or inheriting the vehicle. Each route requires different documents and has different timelines. If you are financing the vehicle, your lender will have specific requirements about how the title is held and when the transfer happens.
Key Takeaways
- You must submit form HB 263 with the signed title from the seller, a bill of sale, and proof of ownership to transfer a title in Florida.
- The title transfer fee is $75.25 in most counties, and processing takes 7 to 10 business days by mail or same-day if you go in person to a tax collector's office.
- If you are financing the vehicle, your lender will be listed as a lienholder on the title and must sign off before you can sell or transfer it later.
- Private sales, dealership purchases, and inherited vehicles each require different supporting documents and follow slightly different timelines.
Buying from a Private Seller
When you buy a car from a private seller in Florida, you and the seller both need to sign the back of the existing title. The seller must sign in the section labeled "Signature of Seller" and print their name. You sign in the "Signature of Buyer" section. Both signatures must be notarized — this is a requirement in Florida, not optional. You can get a notarization at most banks, UPS stores, or through a mobile notary service.
Bring the notarized title, a completed form HB 263, and a bill of sale to your local tax collector's office or DMV service center. The bill of sale should include the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date of sale, and both signatures. You will also need to provide proof of your identity and proof of residency. The tax collector will process the transfer the same day and issue you a new title in your name.
If the seller cannot appear in person for notarization, Florida allows remote notarization through an online notary service. The seller signs the title electronically, and you bring the completed document to the tax collector. This adds a few days but avoids the need for both parties to meet.
Buying from a Dealership
Dealerships in Florida handle much of the title transfer paperwork for you, but you are still responsible for submitting it and paying the fee. The dealership will prepare form HB 263 and provide you with a bill of sale. You sign the title in the buyer's section — dealership sales do not require notarization because the dealership is a licensed entity and can sign as the seller without a notary stamp.
Take the completed title and form HB 263 to the tax collector's office within 10 days of purchase. Bring your driver's license and proof of residency. The tax collector will process the transfer and issue your new title. If you are financing through the dealership or a lender, the dealership will tell you whether to list the lienholder on the title before you submit it, or whether they will handle that step after you pay off the loan.
Some dealerships offer to handle the title transfer for you as part of the sale. If they do, confirm in writing that they will submit the paperwork within the 10-day window. If they do not submit it on time, you can face late fees or registration penalties, even though the dealership was responsible.
Inheriting a Vehicle
If you inherit a vehicle in Florida, the title transfer process depends on whether the previous owner left a will and whether the estate went through probate. If the vehicle is listed in a will and the estate is probated, you will receive a court order (called an order of disposition) that names you as the new owner. Bring this order, the original title, and form HB 263 to the tax collector's office.
If the estate did not go through probate — which is common for smaller estates — you may be able to use a simplified process called succession without administration. You will need a certified copy of the death certificate, proof that you are the rightful heir, and the original title. The tax collector can tell you whether your situation qualifies for this faster route.
In both cases, the title transfer fee still applies. There is no inheritance tax on vehicles in Florida, but you will owe sales tax on the vehicle's fair market value unless you are the spouse or lineal descendant of the deceased owner.
If the Vehicle Has a Loan or Lien
If you are buying a vehicle that still has a loan against it, the lender (called a lienholder) will be listed on the title. You cannot legally own the vehicle free and clear until the loan is paid off and the lienholder releases their claim. When you buy the car, the seller's lender must sign off on the title transfer, which usually happens at closing if you are buying from a dealership.
If you are buying from a private seller with an outstanding loan, the seller must pay off the loan before transferring the title to you. Some private sellers arrange for the payoff to happen at closing through an escrow service or title company. Do not accept a title with a lienholder's name on it unless you have a written agreement that the lien will be released when ready after you pay.
When you finance your own purchase, your lender will provide instructions on how to list them on the title. Most lenders require that their name appear in the lienholder section before you register the vehicle. You will not receive the physical title while the loan is active — the lender holds it. Once you pay off the loan, the lender will release the title to you, and you can pick it up or have it mailed to your address.
Documents You Will Need
| Document | Private Sale | Dealership | Inherited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form HB 263 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Signed and notarized title | Yes | No (not notarized) | No |
| Bill of sale | Yes | Yes | No |
| Court order or death certificate | No | No | Yes |
| Driver's license | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Proof of residency | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Title transfer fee ($75.25) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Where to Submit Your Paperwork
You can submit your title transfer paperwork at any Florida tax collector's office or DMV service center. Tax collector's offices are usually faster and have longer hours than DMV service centers. You can find the office nearest you on the Florida Department of Revenue website by entering your county name.
If you submit by mail, send your documents to the tax collector's office in the county where you live. Include a check or money order for the $75.25 fee made payable to the tax collector. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days. If you submit in person, you will receive your new title the same day in most cases, though some offices may take a few hours during busy periods.
You can also submit your paperwork through an online service if you use a third-party title transfer company, though this adds a fee on top of the state fee. These services are optional — you can always submit the paperwork yourself for just the $75.25 state fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I do not transfer the title within 10 days of buying the car?
Florida law requires you to transfer the title within 10 days of purchase. If you miss this important date, you may face a late fee of $10 per day (up to $100 total) and registration penalties. The tax collector's office will still process your transfer, but you will owe the additional fees. If you are buying from a dealership and they miss the important date, contact the dealership in writing to request they pay the late fees.
Do I need to get the title notarized if I buy from a dealership?
No. Dealership sales do not require notarization because the dealership is a licensed entity. The dealership signs as the seller, and you sign as the buyer. Private sales require notarization of both signatures, but dealership sales do not.
Can I register the vehicle before the title transfer is complete?
No. You must have the new title in your name before you can register the vehicle. Registration and title transfer are separate processes, but you cannot complete registration without proof of ownership. Once the tax collector issues your new title, you can then register the vehicle at the same office or online through the Florida DMV website.
What if the seller lost the title or it is damaged?
The seller can request a duplicate title from the tax collector's office in the county where the vehicle is registered. This takes about 7 to 10 business days and costs $75.25. If the title is damaged but readable, the tax collector may accept it anyway. If the seller cannot obtain a duplicate in time, you may be able to delay closing or use a title company to handle the transfer once the duplicate arrives.
Do I have to transfer the title in the county where I live?
Yes. You must submit your title transfer paperwork to the tax collector's office in the county where you live, not the county where the seller lives or where the vehicle is currently registered. If you move to a different Florida county after buying the vehicle, you do not need to re-transfer the title — it remains valid statewide.