Selling a car in Florida: the paperwork
| Florida seller rules at a glance | What applies |
|---|---|
| Notarized title signature | Not required |
| License plates | Seller removes and keeps them |
| Report the sale | Notice of Sale, form HSMV 82050, within 30 days |
| Duplicate title | HSMV 82101; $75.25 (add $2.50 for a printed paper title) |
| Bill of sale | Recommended |
| Junk without a title | Allowed in some cases (HSMV 82137, Application for an Original/Duplicate Derelict Motor Vehicle Certificate and Request to Cancel Title) |
Title questions, duplicate titles and release of liability forms are handled by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Compare these rules with other states on our seller rules by state page. After the sale, cancel your insurance once the car is gone. Our after-sale checklist covers each step.
No obligation.
Where we pick up in Florida
We buy cars in Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, St. Petersburg and Tallahassee, and in every other town in Florida a tow truck can reach. Pickup is free wherever the car is, from a city driveway to a farm lot, and you're paid before it's loaded.
We buy flood-damaged cars all over Florida after storms. Tell us about water damage up front and the offer will reflect it.
How it works in Florida
Get your offer
Tell us the year, make, model and condition, or start with your VIN. Your cash offer is good for 7 days.
Pick a pickup time
Choose when and where. Towing is free anywhere in Florida, and pickup is usually within 24 to 48 hours.
Get paid on the spot
The driver checks the car and pays you. Then you sign the title, hand over the keys and the car is loaded.
Cities we serve in Florida
Local pickup details for these cities are below. We buy everywhere else in Florida too, from the suburbs to the smallest towns.
- Cash for cars in Orlando
- Cash for cars in Tampa
- Cash for cars in Miami
- Cash for cars in Jacksonville
Florida car selling questions
Do I need a title to sell my car in Florida?
For a titled vehicle, yes: the title is how ownership passes to the buyer. To replace a lost Florida title, apply to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) with HSMV 82101. The fee is $75.25 (add $2.50 for a printed paper title).
Can I junk a car without a title in Florida?
Sometimes. Vehicles 10+ model years old worth under $1,000 may be sold to a licensed salvage dealer or secondary metals recycler without a title using form HSMV 82137 and the seller's ID (Fla. Stat. 319.30). Otherwise you'll need the title or a duplicate. To replace a lost Florida title, apply to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) with HSMV 82101. The fee is $75.25 (add $2.50 for a printed paper title).
Does the title need to be notarized in Florida?
No. Florida doesn't require the seller's signature on the title to be notarized. Sign the seller section exactly as your name appears on the front of the title, and add the odometer reading and sale date where the title asks for them.
Do I keep my license plates when I sell a car in Florida?
In Florida, the plates belong to the seller, not the car. You may transfer the plate to another vehicle; surrender it if moving out of state or canceling insurance.
How do I tell the Florida DMV that I sold my car?
File the Notice of Sale, form HSMV 82050, with the state within 30 days of the sale. It records that the car is no longer yours. Filing it protects you from tickets, tolls and liability for anything that happens after the car leaves.
Is pickup really free everywhere in Florida?
Yes. Towing is free anywhere in Florida a tow truck can reach, and nothing is deducted from your offer for it.
Sources
- FLHSMV: Selling a Vehicle
- FLHSMV: Notice of Sale and/or Bill of Sale, HSMV 82050 (form)
- Florida Statutes s. 319.22 (notice within 30 days)
- FLHSMV: Fees
- Fla. Stat. 319.30 (2026), Definitions; dismantling, destruction, change of identity of motor vehicle; salvage
- FLHSMV Form HSMV 82137 (PDF)
- FLHSMV Motor Vehicle Procedure Manual TL-11, Transfer of Florida Certificate of Title (rev. 06/26/23)
Checked against these sources on November 6, 2026.
Last updated November 6, 2026.