At Auto Tags of East Broward, we can help you with your Florida title transfer needs. When buying or taking ownership (as a gift or inheritance) of a car, the most important part of the transaction or process is securing the title transfer. Without a car title, your claim to ownership of the vehicle is void. A car title is the autobiography of the vehicle. The car title entails the description of the car, model/make, year of registration, and other details. It contains all the information about the current and previous owner of the car, the lien on it, and any damage or restoration that has been done to the car. When you are buying or acquiring a car, a title transfer must be completed to show you are the new owner of the vehicle.
But first, what is a title transfer?
In the handover of a car, the documents and all that pertains to the car are handed over to new ownership, and most important of all is the car title. The title transfer is simply the changing of the ownership from the former lien holder/owner to the new owner. If you are buying a car from a dealership, you get the car title at the point of sale, but if you are buying a car from a private seller, inheriting a car, or being gifted a car (which was previously registered to another person), you need to update the car title with a title transfer.
Basics of a Florida Title Transfer
Getting a title transfer when you are buying a vehicle requires swiftness from both parties as the previous owner or seller must comply with the requirements for the transfer to be valid and approved. Some of the things required for a title transfer in Florida include;
Original car title document (duplicates and scans are not accepted).
The sale price, name, and address of the new & old owner must be included in the car title with the date and signature of the transaction.
Completed and notarized bill of sale from the seller to buyer.
Lien satisfaction document by the seller for lien titled cars.
Completed notice of sale
Completed checks for VIN and Odometer reading
Insurance for the vehicle
Driver’s license for buyer
Associated fees for title transfer such as $225 for license plate and $2 per lien, among other fees.
For gifted and inherited cars, you just have to prepare the same documents (excluding sale information). However, for inherited cars, you need to provide a copy of the will and, in some cases, the death certificate of the previous owner. The process of transferring a gifted or inherited car may require a longer period as all information must be verified on legal grounds, since the other party may not be available for verification.
When all your documents and transfer information are completed, you can apply for a title transfer with the Florida Highway Safety Motors and Vehicles (FLHSMV) to have the car information registered and updated. At Auto Tags of East Broward, we help you secure title transfers, register your out-of-state vehicles, and provide other consultation and Broward County DMV alternative services in South Florida. Don’t waste your time at any other Fort Lauderdale tag agencies when you can stop by East Broward Auto Tags. We specialize in all things Broward tag and title, including Broward tag renewals and more. Check out our website here or find our online renewals page here to get started.
Check out these great resources if you are interested in learning more about title transfers: Resource 1 | Resource 2 | Resource 3