Automobiles
Registrations, Renewals and Title Transfers
Initial Registration
Residents operating their automobiles on Florida's roadways must register those
vehicles in the State of Florida.
Non-residents must register their automobiles in Florida if they engage in a trade
or occupation, are employed in Florida, or their children attend public schools
in Florida.
Non-resident exemptions may be applied to college or university students who are
in Florida for less than six months in an accredited work-study program recognized
by the State of Florida, or to any non-resident enrolled as a full-time student
in a Florida institution of higher learning.
Vehicle registrations for automobiles, may be obtained at one of the Tax Collector's Offices.
To receive a vehicle registration for an automobile, you must have all of the following
items:
- A registration renewal notice or previously issued registration. (If these are
not available, the tag number, title number, or vehicle identification number may
provide enough information.)
- Current proof of Florida Property Damage Liability and Personal Injury Protection
insurance, including the insurance company's name and policy number.
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Registration Renewal
Click here to make an online payment.
Florida law requires automobile tags and registrations to be renewed before they
expire. Florida vehicle registrations and tags (license plates) expire
as follows:
- For automobiles owned by individuals, the expiration date is the birthday of the
first owner listed on the registration;
- For leased automobiles, the expiration date is indicated on the vehicle registration;
- For company owned automobiles, the expiration date is June 30th;
- For 9 passenger automobiles for hire and trucks over 5,000 lbs., the annual expiration
date is December 31st (Six month registrations issued to these types of vehicles
expire May 31st).
To renew, the following items are required:
- Previous registration or registration renewal notice; and,
- Current proof of Florida Property Damage and Personal Injury Protection insurance
issued by a Florida agent or broker.
If you fail to renew your automobile tag and registration before the 11th day of
the month following its expiration, a penalty fee will be charged upon late renewal.
Also, it is a violation of the law to operate an automobile on Florida's roadways
without a current registration and license plate.
Please note that Florida law does not provide for vehicle registration renewal notices
for your automobile and failure to receive a renewal notice by mail does not relieve
the automobile owner of their responsibility to timely renew their vehicle registrations
and license plates.
The Tax Collector does, however, provide renewal notices as a courtesy to resident
vehicle owners. The courtesy renewal notices are mailed approximately 3 weeks prior
to the birth month or month in which the renewal is due.
The cost of renewing your registration and tag varies according to the make, model
and/or weight of the automobile, as well as the type of tag you have chosen to display
on your automobile.
Vehicle registration and tag renewals may be conducted at one of the Tax Collector's Offices.
Renewal payment transactions may also be conducted on this web site.
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Transfer Of Ownership On A Florida Title
When seeking to transfer ownership of an automobile in Florida, you must bring the
following items to one of the Tax Collector's Offices:
- The Florida title properly completed by the seller; and,
- A copy of the current registration to be transferred, if applicable.
Additionally, you must bring proof of current Florida Property Damage Liability
and Personal Injury Protection insurance, including the insurance company's
name and policy number.
Also, each applicant must be present to sign the new application for title.
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Note: Applicants may request a Fast Title for an additional $10.
The title is provided by the Tax Collector's Office at the time of application.
Fast Titles can be obtained at one of the Tax Collector's Offices.
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Title Application On A New Automobile
If you have purchased an automobile (new or used) from a Florida dealership,
the dealer is required by law to process the Application for Title.
If a new automobile was purchased from an out-of-state dealership, an Application
for Title may be processed at one of the Tax Collector's Offices.
Applications for Certificate of Title may be obtained and completed prior to visiting
one of one of the Tax Collector's
Offices.
Visit The Department of Motor Vehicles and Highway Safety to obtain application for certificate of title.
The following items are needed in addition to a completed Application for Certificate
of Title:
- A manufacturer's certificate of origin;
- A bill of sale or invoice listing the purchase price, sales tax paid, and any trade-in
allowance (please note, additional sales tax may be due);
- A Federal odometer statement;
- Any applicable lienholder information;
- Proof of current Florida Property Damage Liability and Personal Injury Protection
insurance, including the insurance company's name and policy number when purchasing
a license plate or extending the registration period; and,
- When transferring a tag or license plate, the current registration or plate and
decal number;
- Each applicant must sign the application. (If completing an application in our
office, each person applying for ownership must be present to sign the title application.)
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Title Application On An Out-Of-State Automobile
When seeking to register an automobile that was previously titled out-of-state the following items are required:
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The out-of-state title certificate in your name or assigned to you;
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If your vehicle is financed, complete lienholder information including your Lienholders DMV account number (Lienholder will provide you this), lienholder name, mailing address, and date of lien.
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Each applicant must sign the application for certificate of title. This is done at the time of transfer.
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A vehicle identification odometer verification form
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Proof of current Florida Property Damage Liability and Personal Injury Protection Insurance, including the insurance company's name, five digit company code or NAIC #, and policy number.
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When transferring a tag or license plate, the current registration or plate and decal number.
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Florida Sales Tax may be due, if the vehicle was purchased less than 6 months prior to importing the vehicle to Florida. Proof of any sales tax paid to another state will be required.
- The full 6% Florida Sales Tax and any applicable local option tax is due on all vehicles imported from foreign countries.
Estimation Of Fees
| Title Transfer |
$85.75 |
| Lien Fee |
$2.00 |
| Registration & Decal* |
$28.10 - Less than 2499 pounds |
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$36.10 - 2500 pounds – 3499 pounds |
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$46.10 - 3500 pounds or more |
If your vehicle is a Truck that weighs 5000 pounds or more, you will need to contact our office for an estimation of fees (863) 534-4700.
*Price varies depending on the vehicles weight and plate type chosen.
*Prices listed are for standard plates of Polk, Sunshine State, or In God We Trust.
| License Plate |
$28.00 |
| Initial Registration Fee |
$225.00 |
| Estimated Total |
$368.85 - $386.85 |
Options for completing title transfers:
- Mail completed paperwork to one of the following locations:
1) Bartow Service Center
P. O. Box 1779
Bartow, FL 33831
2) Lakeland Service Center
916 N. Massachusetts Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33801
3) Lake Wales Service Center
658 Highway 60 W
Lake Wales, FL 33853
4) Davenport Service Center
2000 Deer Creek Commerce Lane
Davenport, FL 33837
NOTE: If you include a pre-paid overnight envelope, we will overnight your transaction to you at the address provided on the envelope. All other transactions will be mailed within 5 business days. If your transaction cannot be completed, a Customer Service Specialist will contact you to inform you of documents needed to complete your transaction.
Or
Note: Applicants may request a Fast Title for an additional $10.The title is provided by the Tax Collector's Office at the time of application.
Fast Titles may be obtained at one of the
Tax Collector's Offices.
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