A Florida title is a legal document that shows you are the owner of a car. This document is sometimes called a certificate of title, or a pink slip. If you plan to sell or gift a car, you must be able to prove you are the owner, before any such transaction can take place.
It is important not only to have possession of your car title but to be sure it is kept in a safe place. If you happen to lose, misplace, or somehow destroy your car title, you must report it to your local tax collector’s office as soon as possible.
How do I obtain a duplicate car title in Florida?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV, or DMV) requires that you apply for a duplicate title. You can do this in person, online, by mail.
For online duplicate title applications go to, https://www.flhsmv.gov, “Motor Vehicles, Tags and Titles”, select “Lost Title or Replacement Title”, and follow the steps provided. You will need a valid ID, and fees are required.
To apply for a duplicate title in person, go to your local tax collector’s office and provide a completed application for duplicate, or lost in transit, title certificate, (Form HSMV 82101). You will have to show valid proof of identity, such as your driver’s license, or ID card. You will also need to provide an odometer disclosure and will have to pay the duplicate title fees. Every county in Florida has additional charges which are added to the DMV duplicate title fee. These fees vary per county. Contact the county tax collector’s office to confirm the exact fees. You are also able to schedule an appointment in advance, to avoid delays, or long lines, that may occur with an in-person visit.
If you would like to apply for a duplicate title by mail, you must submit the completed Form HSMV 82101, and mail it to your local tax collector’s office. Be sure the tax collector’s office has your current mailing address on file to avoid the new title being lost in the mail.
If you have a lien on your title, meaning you financed the car, or someone else still has maintained ownership for financial reasons, you must first satisfy the lien before you are given the title. This could mean paying off the loan to the car dealership or completing any agreement made with the current owner that will transfer legal ownership to you. You will need to provide proof of ownership once any outstanding liens have been satisfied. Sometimes this is in the form of a bill of sale.
Regardless of how you plan to obtain your duplicate title, it is important that you keep it safe from theft, destruction, or loss.
At Broward Auto Tags, we can help you with all of your tag and title needs. Whether you need a tag renewal, new registration, or title transfer, we can help with it all! No need to wait in a long line or get a headache like when you go to the DMV, we can help you with all of your auto tag needs. Give us a call or come visit one of our three locations today!