Florida Vehicle Liens and Titles

If you financed a vehicle in Florida, you have a lien on the title certificate of that vehicle. The lien legally ensures that the financial institution or bank receives full payment. If they do not receive regular payments, they have the right to take legal action and repossess the vehicle. If you purchased a Florida automobile from a car dealership, the lien would be placed on the vehicle by the financial firm that handles their car loans. When you buy from a private party, the bank or firm that provides you with a personal or private party vehicle loan will be the lien holder.

Florida Lienholders and Car Insurance

A car lienholder is the vehicle's legal owner, and their name is most likely on the title. Because the vehicle is still technically theirs, a lienholder in Florida can also affect how much auto insurance coverage you require. You must carry the type of insurance coverage they determine for you until you satisfy your auto loan debt and pay it in full. Most of the time, it is collision and comprehensive auto insurance coverage. If you have a paper title for your vehicle, your lienholder will sign a lien satisfaction form. The HSMV 82260 Form has room for all vehicle information, such as the title number, VIN, and so on, as well as the lien holder's signature. Electronic liens must be eliminated electronically. If your lienholder is no longer in business and the lien is more than five years old, you may need to hire a third-party lien removal service. If your title is kept electronically, you can still request a print copy as long as the title is kept electronically. After removing your liens, you can order a duplicate title in Florida if you lose your title. You can complete your title replacement request online with only a few clicks, eliminating the need to visit the DMV.

Lien Removal

To remove a lien from your automobile in Florida, you must make all of your payments. The lien holder will then electronically tell the Florida DMV that the lien on your vehicle has been released, whether it be an institution like bank or credit union. For the past eight years, Florida and other states have used the ELT program for electronic lien and title to add and remove liens from title certificates.

Florida Vehicle Titles

Transfer of Ownership

When attempting to transfer ownership of a Florida-titled car or mobile home, you must bring the following items to the tax collector's office:
  • If applicable, the seller's original Florida title and a copy of the current registration are to be transferred.
  • If the title is not completed and signed by the seller, a Bill of Sale will be necessary when you bring it to our office.
  • You must present proof of current Florida property damage liability and personal injury protection insurance, including the name and policy number of the insurance company.
  • Each applicant must sign the new title application and provide personal identification.

New Vehicle Title Application

If you bought a car (new or used) from a Florida dealership, the dealer is required by law to execute your title application. If you bought a new vehicle from an out-of-state dealership, you could apply for a title at the tax collector's office. In addition to a completed Certificate of Title Application, the following items are required:
  • The certification of origin issued by the original manufacturer
  • A bill of sale or dealer invoice includes the purchase price, sales tax paid, and any trade-in allowance. Please keep in mind that additional sales tax may be owed.
  • A government odometer statement.
  • Any relevant lien holder information.
  • When acquiring a license plate or extending the registration period, you must show proof of current Florida property damage liability and personal injury protection insurance, including the insurance company's name and policy number.
  • The current registration or plate number is required when transferring a license plate.
  • When transferring ownership of a mobile home title, a new mobile home decal application is required.
Each applicant must sign the application. If you plan to apply to our office, each applicant for ownership must be present to sign the title application and provide personal identification.

Title Transfer Process For Out of State Vehicle

For out-of-state title transfers, please bring the following documents:
  • The person or persons named on the title as the buyer must be present. If both parties are unable to be present, a Form 82040 or power of attorney must be completed for the one who is unable to be present, regardless of whether the title reads.
  • At the time of titling and registration, proof of Florida insurance on a new vehicle is required; please bring your Florida policy number with you.
  • Driver's Permit
  • If you're transferring a plate, you'll need to know the plate number.
  • Please bring the vehicle to the office to perform a VIN inspection. If you cannot drive the vehicle for the inspection, Form 82042 can be completed by law enforcement or a Florida notary and taken with you when completing the car transaction.
If a lienholder currently holds your title, we will require the following information to make a Title Request from the lienholder:
  • Names on the title
  • Current Address
  • Current Phone Number
  • VIN, Year, Make of vehicle
  • Lienholder name
  • Lienholder address
  • Lienholder phone number
  • Lienholder fax number

Requesting Lien and Vehicle Titles in Florida

In-Person

You can obtain a printed title by visiting any of our four service centers. The owner must make these requests in person, and they can be printed on the same day. The fee is $10.00.

Online

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' website GoRenew.com allows vehicle owners to request a paper title be mailed to them. The price is $4.50. After completing the online request, the printed title will be shipped to the address listed on the owner's record. In most cases, paper titles are obtained within 7 to 10 business days. Please keep in mind that printed titles cannot be picked up at the Tax Collector's Office once an online order has been placed.

By Mail

To request a paper title by mail, please submit the following documents to 2900 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL, USA:
  • A photocopy of a valid picture ID is required.
  • Request in writing to have the electronic title printed.
  • A $10 fee is charged for the print and electronic title.