Register Your Vehicle

Motor vehicles, vessels, mobile homes and trailers are issued registrations to prove that license taxes and fees for the current registration period have been paid.

The registered owner of a vehicle must carry proof of registration, including:

• License plate
• Decal
• Registration certificate

A certificate of title is the proof of ownership to a motor vehicle in the state of Florida. Most vehicles are required to be titled. The exceptions are mopeds, motorized bicycles and trailers weighing less than 2,000 pounds.

When you purchase a new motor vehicle, bring a motor vehicle into the state, or at any time the ownership of the motor vehicle changes, you must transfer ownership into your name.
 
The application for title, along with all required documents and fees, must be submitted or mailed to the Tax Collector's office or authorized private tag agency for processing. A certificate of title will be issued within five working days after receipt of the documentation and fees.
 
When applying for a title on a motor vehicle previously registered or titled in another state, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the actual motor vehicle must be checked to ensure that the vehicle is the same as the one described on the proof of ownership.  
 
The VIN must be physically inspected by one of the following:

• A law enforcement officer from any state
• A licensed Florida or out-of-state motor vehicle dealer
• An auto tag agency employee or Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles compliance examiner
• A provost marshal or commissioned officer in active military service, with a rank of second lieutenant or higher

This service is not available at the Tax Collector's Office.

For more information about titling a vehicle, visit the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.

• Read more about vehicle titles

Residents moving into Florida

Vehicles must be registered within 30 days of establishing residency in Florida. The state of Florida provides more guidelines.