Top What is a Title Transfer?

A title, or pink slip, proves ownership of a vehicle. When a vehicle changes hands, there must be a title transfer. Reasons for a title transfer include:

• Buying or selling

• Gifting

• Inheritance

• Donation

• Name change

Top Selling a Vehicle

Selling a vehicle is hard work. One way to win over your buyer is to show that you’re honest and open by purchasing a vehicle history report for your car.

Transferring the vehicle's title when you sell is straightforward.

1. Locate your title.
2. Fill in the “Transfer of Title by Seller” section.
3. Fill out the odometer reading, sale price, and date.
4. You and the buyer sign the form.
5. The buyer takes this to the tax collector’s office.

Filling out a Bill of Sale isn’t a bad idea, either. That way, you can prove you sold the car in case the buyer gets into an accident before it gets registered.

Top Buying a Vehicle

New Cars

The best part of buying a new car besides that new car smell is that the dealer takes car of the title transfer for you. The fee of $31.25 will be included with all the other fees that you pay.

Before you decide on which new car to buy, you should do some research on your options to make the best informed decision.

Used Cars

Used cars offer many great deals, but only if you do your homework first. Shop around online to find your perfect car. Then, when you’ve narrowed down your choices, buy a vehicle history report. This tells you the car’s history, like whether or not it’s a salvage or if it’s been in a major accident. For one fee, you can look at the reports of as many cars as you want for a set time.

Most people don’t have the necessary cash to pay for a car outright, so you may need to think about getting a car loan to finance your purchase. Decide how much you can afford and what kind of payment you can handle.

Finally, before you buy the car, you should get an insurance quote, too. Insurance rates vary by car, and this payment must figure into your overall budget.

1. Get a bill of sale so sales tax can be properly calculated.
2. Have the seller fill out the odometer reading (double check this) and sales price.
3. Both of you sign and date the title.
4. Take your insurance card or a Florida insurance affidavit in to a tax collector’s office.
5. Pay $29.25 for a car previously registered in Florida, or $31.25 if it’s from another state. Expedited service is available at some locations for $7 extra.
6. Don’t forget to take your ID and be prepared to register your car, too.

Top Removing a Lien

When you pay off your loan, the loan company should release the title to you. There is nothing special you have to do.

Top Gift Transfers

Whether you’re giving the car to a family member or a stranger off the street, the procedure is the same. There is no sales tax on gift transfers.

1. Fill out a bill of sale as proof that this was a gift.
2. On the back of the title, have the owner fill out the odometer reading. Where it says sales price, write “gift.”
3. Both of you sign and date the title.
4. Take your insurance card or a Florida insurance affidavit in to a tax collector’s office.
5. The fee will be $29.25 for a car previously registered in Florida, or $33.25 if it’s from another state. Expedited service is available at some locations for $7 extra.
6. Take your ID and register your car, too.

Top Donating a Vehicle

Donating a car is good for the morale and the pocket book. Doing so can earn you a hefty income tax break. Because calculating all your breaks can be difficult, consulting a tax attorney is a smart idea.

Top Inheriting a Vehicle

Inheriting property can be a complicated business. It would be best to contact a probate attorney for advice.

1. Locate the title.
2. Get a copy of the death certificate and the will that states the car is left to you. If you’re the only heir, then the car may go to you even with no will.
3. Go to the tax collector’s office. Bring your ID and proof of insurance.
4. Fill out the title application form.
5. Show proof of insurance or fill out a a Florida insurance affidavit.
6. Pay appropriate fees; $29.25 if it was previously registered in the state; $33.25 if it's from a different state.

You may also have to re-register the car right away.

Don’t forget to make sure the car has adequate insurance.

Top Making Name Corrections

Changing a Name

Changing your name on the title isn’t necessary, but you may want to do it anyway.

1. Fill out a title application form at a tax collector's office.
2. Pay the title fee of $29.25.
3. Bring proof of your name change, such as the marriage certificate or divorce decree.

If you don’t have this proof, you can get a copy.

While you’re at it, you’ll need to change your name on other DMV records, too.

Deleting or Adding a Name

1. Locate your title. Whether it says “and” or “or” between the names, both of you must sign.
2. Fill out the “Transfer of Title” section with the odometer reading. Where it says price, put “gift.”
3. Go to the tax collector’s office with the appropriately signed title, or mail it to the location with the fees and title application.
4. Apply for a new title.
5. Pay the $29.25 fee.

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