--- title: "Florida Car Title Transfer: No Notary, Buyer Has 30 Days" description: "Selling a car in Florida: seller notary not required, buyer has 30 days, bill of sale, plates and fees, from the agency's own pages." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/car-title-transfer-florida" --- Car title transfer · Florida # Florida car title transfer What the seller and buyer sign, whether a notary is needed, and what Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) says about the bill of sale, the deadline, plates, fees and reporting the sale. ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) **Short answer.** No. FLHSMV's title transfer procedure says the Transfer of Title by Seller section doesn't need a notary. The buyer has 30 days to title the car. Plates stay with the seller. ## At a glance Seller's signature No. FLHSMV's title transfer procedure says the Transfer of Title by Seller section doesn't need a notary. Buyer's signature No. The buyer also signs in the Transfer of Title by Seller section, which FLHSMV says doesn't need a notary. Bill of sale Needed for an open title (no buyer name or price in the transfer section): an original or certified copy signed by both seller and buyer. Form HSMV 82050 can serve as the bill of sale. Odometer The odometer disclosure is part of the Florida title. Buyer's deadline The buyer transfers the title within 30 calendar days to avoid a late transfer penalty. Plates Plates stay with the seller, not the vehicle. Title fee $75.25 for a title transfer, plus $2.50 if a paper title is printed. Seller's report The seller files a Notice of Sale. Agency Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) ## If you're selling - **Find the title and clear any lien.** Have the original title in hand. If a lender is listed, get the lien release or the lender's sign-off before the sale; the buyer can't title the car over an open lien. - **Sign the title over.** No. FLHSMV's title transfer procedure says the Transfer of Title by Seller section doesn't need a notary. Don't sign until the buyer is ready, and write in the buyer's name and the sale date exactly. - **Write down the mileage.** The odometer disclosure is part of the Florida title. - **Give the buyer a bill of sale.** Needed for an open title (no buyer name or price in the transfer section): an original or certified copy signed by both seller and buyer. Form HSMV 82050 can serve as the bill of sale. - **Deal with the plates.** Plates stay with the seller, not the vehicle. - **Report the sale.** The seller files a Notice of Sale. - **Cancel insurance and keep copies.** Once the car is gone and the plates are off, call your insurer. Keep a photo of the signed title, the bill of sale and any sale report. ## If you're buying - **Check the title against the car and the seller.** The VIN on the title should match the car, and the seller's ID should match the owner's name on the title. Ask about any lien listed on it. - **Watch the title get signed.** Seller: No. FLHSMV's title transfer procedure says the Transfer of Title by Seller section doesn't need a notary. Buyer: No. The buyer also signs in the Transfer of Title by Seller section, which FLHSMV says doesn't need a notary. - **Get a bill of sale.** Needed for an open title (no buyer name or price in the transfer section): an original or certified copy signed by both seller and buyer. Form HSMV 82050 can serve as the bill of sale. - **Check the mileage entry.** The odometer disclosure is part of the Florida title. - **Insure the car before you drive it.** Most states require insurance to register. Arrange it before driving away. - **Title it in your name in time.** The buyer transfers the title within 30 calendar days to avoid a late transfer penalty. - **Plates and fees.** Plates stay with the seller, not the vehicle. Title fee: $75.25 for a title transfer, plus $2.50 if a paper title is printed. Sold on the first of a month? [See the due date for a December 1, 2026 sale](/notary/selling-a-car-checklist-by-state?state=fl&role=buyer&date=2026-12-01). Your own checklist, marked step by step: [seller](/notary/selling-a-car-checklist-by-state?state=fl&role=seller) · [buyer](/notary/selling-a-car-checklist-by-state?state=fl&role=buyer). ## In the agency's words **Seller** "Notarization is NOT required in the "Transfer of Title by Seller" section" **Buyer** "Notarization is NOT required in the "Transfer of Title by Seller" section" **Bill of sale** "an original or certified copy of the bill of sale, signed by the seller and purchaser" **Deadline** "This must be done within 30 calendar days to avoid a late transfer penalty fee." **Plates** "In a sale, license plates stay with seller not the vehicle." **Report of sale** "As of July 2009, Florida law requires all sellers to file a Notice of Sale." ## Official sources - [FLHSMV: Buying from a Private Sale](https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/consumer-education/buying-vehicle-florida/buying-private-sale/) (checked November 2026) - [FLHSMV: Selling a Vehicle](https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/consumer-education/selling-vehicle-florida/) (checked November 2026) - [FLHSMV: Fees](https://www.flhsmv.gov/fees/) (checked November 2026) - [FLHSMV Procedure TL-11: Transfer of Florida Certificate of Title (rev. 06/26/23)](https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/proc/tl/tl-11.pdf) (checked November 2026) General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Checked November 2026 against the official pages listed above. Forms, fees and deadlines change, a county office can add its own steps, and gifts, estates, liens and out-of-state titles follow other rules; the agency or an attorney can tell you how a rule applies to your sale. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with any motor vehicle agency. ## Common questions **Does the seller's signature on a Florida title need a notary?** No. FLHSMV's title transfer procedure says the Transfer of Title by Seller section doesn't need a notary. The agency's page: "Notarization is NOT required in the "Transfer of Title by Seller" section." **Does the buyer sign in front of a notary in Florida?** No. The buyer also signs in the Transfer of Title by Seller section, which FLHSMV says doesn't need a notary. **How long does a buyer have to title a car in Florida?** 30 days. The buyer transfers the title within 30 calendar days to avoid a late transfer penalty. **Is a bill of sale required in Florida?** Needed for an open title (no buyer name or price in the transfer section): an original or certified copy signed by both seller and buyer. Form HSMV 82050 can serve as the bill of sale. **Do the plates go with the car in Florida?** Plates stay with the seller, not the vehicle. **Does a Florida seller have to report the sale?** The seller files a Notice of Sale. All states: [car title notarization by state](/notary/car-title-notarization-by-state) · [California](/notary/car-title-transfer-california) · [Georgia](/notary/car-title-transfer-georgia) ## Need a vehicle title notarized in New Jersey? [See vehicle title notary](/notary/vehicle-title-notary)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)