Florida Title Transfer with Form HSMV 82040

In a Florida private car sale, the seller hands over the signed Certificate of Title plus the bill of sale (or Form HSMV 82050), and the buyer completes title transfer and registration at their county tax collector office. The form the buyer files is Form HSMV 82040 — Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration.

Documents the buyer brings to the tax collector office

• Signed Certificate of Title — with the seller's signature, the buyer's signature, the odometer section completed, and either two-witness or notary acknowledgement.
• Form HSMV 82040 Application for Certificate of Title.
• Bill of sale signed by both parties (or Form HSMV 82050).
• Florida driver's license or other government-issued photo ID.
• Proof of Florida insurance (PIP + PDL minimum, $10,000 each).
• Payment for: 6% state sales tax + county discretionary sales surtax (0.5%–1.5% capped on first $5,000), title fee ($75.25 electronic / $77.25 paper), new plate fee or transfer fee, and registration fees.
• If the vehicle was titled in another state: Form HSMV 82042 Section D VIN verification (completed by a Florida law enforcement officer, FL notary, FL dealer, or the tax collector staff at the office).

Step-by-step for the buyer

• Within 30 days of the sale date, visit your county tax collector office (find yours at flhsmv.gov/locations).
• Hand in the documents above and pay the fees.
• If the vehicle is from another state, the tax collector will likely do the VIN verification onsite for a small fee.
• Receive a temporary registration and new license plate the same day.
• The new title is mailed by FLHSMV within 2-3 weeks (electronic title is faster).