Florida Vehicle Bill of Sale

Introduction

Key Things to Know

1. 1

   Florida has an official form. Form HSMV 82050, the "Notice of Sale and/or Bill of Sale for a Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home, Off-Highway Vehicle or Vessel," is the FLHSMV form, and Florida law requires sellers to file its notice-of-sale portion.

2. 2

   Notarization is recommended, not required. A standard private Florida bill of sale does not have to be notarized, but FLHSMV recommends having it notarized and keeping a copy of it.

3. 3

   Odometer disclosure is on the title transfer. Under Fla. Stat. ch. 319, the seller completes the odometer disclosure on the certificate-of-title transfer and the buyer acknowledges it by signing, following the federal statement under 49 C.F.R. 580.5.

4. 4

   Sales tax is 6% on the purchase price. Florida charges 6% state sales or use tax on the total purchase price, plus a county discretionary surtax that applies to the first $5,000 of the price.

5. 5

   Title within 30 days at a service center. The buyer titles and registers the vehicle at a FLHSMV motor vehicle service center within 30 calendar days of the sale to avoid a late transfer penalty fee.

6. 6

   A bill of sale is required only in some cases. For a standard transfer the assigned certificate of title is the operative document, but a proper bill of sale or sworn statement of ownership is required where no Florida title was previously issued.

7. 7

   HSMV 82050 is the distinctive Florida feature. The named, state-issued form plus the seller's legal duty to file the notice of sale set Florida apart from states with no official bill-of-sale form.

Florida Requirements for Bill of Sale

• Form HSMV 82050 and Notarization

  Use FLHSMV Form HSMV 82050, the "Notice of Sale and/or Bill of Sale." Florida law requires the seller to file the notice-of-sale portion of HSMV 82050. Notarization is not strictly required for a standard private bill of sale, but FLHSMV recommends having it notarized and keeping a copy.

• Buyer and Seller Information

  Identify the buyer and the seller by full legal name and address. These details support both the bill-of-sale record and the notice of sale the seller files with FLHSMV.

• Vehicle Description

  Describe the vehicle by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), year, make, model, body type, and color so it can be matched to the certificate of title at transfer.

• Odometer Disclosure

  Record the odometer reading. Under Fla. Stat. ch. 319 the formal odometer disclosure is completed on the certificate-of-title transfer, where the seller discloses the mileage and the buyer acknowledges it by signing, following the federal statement under 49 C.F.R. 580.5.

• Sale Price and 6% Tax

  State the sale price and date. Florida charges 6% state sales or use tax on the total purchase price, plus a county discretionary surtax on the first $5,000. Confirm the current rate and your county surtax with FLHSMV or the Florida Department of Revenue.

• Sworn Statement of Ownership When No Title Exists

  For a standard transfer the assigned certificate of title is the operative document. A proper bill of sale or sworn statement of ownership is required where no Florida title was previously issued for the vehicle.

• Title at a Motor Vehicle Service Center in 30 Days

  Title and register the vehicle at a FLHSMV motor vehicle service center within 30 calendar days of the sale to avoid a late transfer penalty fee.

• Seller Files the Notice of Sale

  Florida law requires the seller to file the notice-of-sale portion of Form HSMV 82050 with FLHSMV after the sale. Keep a copy of the completed form and the bill of sale as proof of the transaction.