Selling or buying a vehicle in Florida? Both buyer and seller have specific deadlines and forms to file with the county Tax Collector’s office within 30 days of the sale.
This free template is formatted for Florida’s requirements and works alongside the Certificate of Title and Form HSMV 82050.
Click Get This Template below to open it in Google Docs, then click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive.
For templates for all 50 states, visit the Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Templates →
On this page:
- What Is a Florida Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
- Is a Bill of Sale Required in Florida?
- Florida-Specific Requirements
- Free Florida Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
- How to Fill Out the Template
- How to Transfer a Car Title in Florida
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Florida Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
A Florida motor vehicle bill of sale is a written record of a private vehicle sale.
In Florida, it is used alongside the Certificate of Title — it does not replace it. The bill of sale documents the purchase price (which determines sales tax), protects both parties, and supports the title transfer application at the county Tax Collector’s office.
Is a Bill of Sale Required in Florida?
A bill of sale is strongly recommended for all Florida private vehicle sales. It is required when the vehicle comes from a state that does not issue titles — in which case the bill of sale combined with the out-of-state registration is the only proof of ownership available.
It is also required when the Florida Certificate of Title contains any cross-outs, alterations, or white-out — a notarized bill of sale must accompany the title transfer in those situations.
Florida-Specific Requirements
1. Seller: File Form HSMV 82050 Within 30 Days
After the sale, the seller must complete the Notice of Sale section on the back of the Florida Certificate of Title, or file Form HSMV 82050 (Notice of Sale and/or Bill of Sale) with their county Tax Collector’s office within 30 days.
Filing removes the seller from record as the owner and limits civil liability for anything that happens with the vehicle after the sale date.
2. Buyer: File Form HSMV 82040 Within 30 Days
The buyer must apply for a new Florida Certificate of Title by filing Form HSMV 82040 at their county Tax Collector’s office or license plate agency within 30 days of the sale. A $20 late penalty applies after 30 days.
3. Sales Tax
Florida charges 6% state sales tax plus any applicable county discretionary surtax (typically 0.5%–1.5%) on the purchase price. Tax is paid at the Tax Collector’s office at the time of title transfer.
4. Title Fee
Florida’s standard title transfer fee is $75.75. Electronic title: $5.25. Paper title: $7.75. Expedited title: $11.00. An additional $1.00 per lien applies if liens are being registered.
5. Title Must Be Free of Alterations
Florida will not accept a title that has been altered with white-out, crossed out, or otherwise changed. If the title has any alterations, a notarized bill of sale must accompany the title transfer application.
6. Joint Ownership
If the title shows “AND” between owner names, all owners must sign both the title and this bill of sale. If “OR”, any one owner may sign alone.
7. Notarization
Florida does not require notarization for most standard private vehicle bill of sale transactions. It is required when the title has alterations or the vehicle comes from a non-title state. Notarization is always recommended for high-value sales.
Free Florida Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
This template opens in Google Docs. Click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive, fill it out digitally, or print and complete by hand.
How to Fill Out the Template
Enter the seller’s name exactly as it appears on the Certificate of Title. Enter the buyer’s name exactly as they want it on the new title.
In Section 3, copy the VIN character by character from the dashboard plate and the title. Enter the full agreed purchase price in Section 4 — Florida calculates 6% state sales tax plus county surtax on this figure.
Both parties sign Section 11. The seller must also file Form HSMV 82050 and the buyer must file Form HSMV 82040 within 30 days.
For a complete field-by-field walkthrough of every section, see: How to Fill Out a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale →
How to Transfer a Car Title in Florida
For the Seller
Complete the Transfer of Title by Seller section on the back of the Florida Certificate of Title — including your signature, printed name, selling price, date of sale, and the buyer’s name.
File Form HSMV 82050 with your county Tax Collector’s office within 30 days to notify the state and limit your liability after the sale.
For the Buyer
Within 30 days of the sale, visit your county Tax Collector’s office or license plate agency with: the completed Florida Certificate of Title, this bill of sale, completed Form HSMV 82040, valid Florida driver’s license or ID, proof of Florida insurance, and payment for the $75.75 title fee plus 6% sales tax and applicable county surtax.
Lost Title
Apply for a duplicate title through the Florida DHSMV before proceeding with the sale. Contact your county Tax Collector’s office or visit flhsmv.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
30 days from the date of sale. A $20 late penalty applies after 30 days. The seller must also file Form HSMV 82050 within 30 days to remove their liability for the vehicle.
Florida’s standard title transfer fee is $75.75. Electronic title: $5.25. Paper title: $7.75. Expedited title: $11.00. An additional $1.00 per lien applies if liens are being registered. Sales tax of 6% state rate plus county surtax is also due at the time of transfer.
Not for most standard private vehicle sales. Notarization is required when the title has any cross-outs or alterations, or when the vehicle comes from a state that does not issue titles. Notarization is always recommended for high-value sales.
Form HSMV 82050 (Notice of Sale and/or Bill of Sale) is the form the seller files with the county Tax Collector’s office to notify the state of the sale and limit their liability for the vehicle after the sale date. It must be filed within 30 days of the sale.
Florida license plates stay with the seller. Remove your plates before handing over the vehicle. You may transfer them to another vehicle you own or surrender them to the Tax Collector’s office. The buyer will receive new plates when they register the vehicle.
Yes. Florida does not require a specific state-issued form for private party vehicle bill of sale transactions. Any complete and signed bill of sale with the required information is acceptable alongside Form HSMV 82040 and the signed title.
This template and all information on this page are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Contact the Florida DHSMV at flhsmv.gov to confirm current requirements before completing your transaction.