How to Transfer a Vehicle Title
When ownership of a vehicle changes, the title must be transferred into the new owner’s name. This includes when you buy or sell a vehicle, receive a vehicle as a gift, add or remove a co-owner, or bring a vehicle into Florida from another state.
Title transfers are processed in person at the Hendry County Tax Collector’s Offices in LaBelle and Clewiston. Our team will review your documents, calculate taxes and fees, and make sure your title is issued correctly in the Florida system.
Florida law requires the buyer to transfer the title within 30 days of the sale date to avoid a late transfer penalty.
Step-by-Step Process
Signing
The buyer and seller complete the transfer section on the current title, including buyer’s full legal name and address, purchase price and date of sale, and odometer reading at time of sale. All owners must sign exactly as their names appear on the title. Avoid cross-outs or white-out, as they can delay the process.
Processing
Bring your completed title, application, and supporting documents to one of our offices. Our staff will review your paperwork, verify ID’s and complete any necessary VIN verifications.
Payment
We accept cash, check, and major credit/debit cards. Please note that a credit card processing fee is added to card transactions; this fee is retained by the payment processor, no portion of this fee is retained by the Tax Collector’s office.
Receiving
Once processed, your title will be issued electronically in your name, unless you request a printed paper title. If you request a paper title, it can be printed in the office for an additional fee or mailed to the address on record. If you are registering your vehicle, you will receive your license plate and registration in the office.
How to apply for a duplicate title
Only the registered owner or lien holder on record may apply for a duplicate Florida title. The fee is $75.75. The title certificate can be issued onsite for an additional $10 or may be issued centrally from DHSMV for an additional $2.50 mail fee.
An Authorization/Release Affidavit or Power of Attorney is required by all third party recipients. The owner of record and the third party must submit a copy of their identification with the application.
If there is an outstanding lien, only the lien holder can apply for a duplicate title. If the lien has been satisfied but still shows on our database, a lien satisfaction form must be submitted with the duplicate application.
The Application for Duplicate Florida Title may be submitted to any tax collector’s office. In order to process the transaction, the applicant must present personal identification in the form of a valid state-issued driver license or ID, a passport or Canadian driver license or identification card. If you have recently moved, proof of your new address must be submitted at time of application. Acceptable proof is shown on the back of the application form.
If you are presenting an out-of-country passport as your identification document, the passport must be unexpired and have one of the following:
- A stamp or mark affixed by the United States Department of Homeland Security onto the passport to evidence and authorize lawful presence in the United States; OR
- An unexpired I-94, or current permanent resident card, or unexpired immigrant visa, issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
If your vehicle is titled in another state, you must apply for the duplicate title through the motor vehicle division of that state.
Fees & Payments
Actual fees vary based on your specific transaction. If the transfer involves a purchase, sales tax will be charged based on the purchase price. Typical charges may include:
Common Title Fees
Common Title Fees
Florida Title Transfer
Standard Electronic Title
Out-of-State Title Transfer
Fast Paper Title Printing
Same Day – Additional $10.00
Lien Recording Fee (If adding a lienholder)
$2.00 at time of title transfer
Lien Recording Fee (If adding a lienholder)
$74.75 for lien add only
Late Title Transfer Fee
If completed more than 30 days after purchase – Additional $20.00
Registration & Plate Fees
Registration & Plate Fees
Initial Registration Fee
If this is your first Florida Plate
Standard License Plate and Annual Registration fee
Based on vehicle weight and type
Plate Transfer Fee
If transferring a current plate to the new vehicle
+Registration Fees – Cars
(Privately Owned; Not Leased)
+Registration Fees – Cars
(Privately Owned; Not Leased)
Vehicles less than 2,500 lbs.
Example: Toyota Yaris, Honda Civic, Mazda Miata
Vehicles 2,500 – 3,499 lbs.
Examples: Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Chevy Malibu
Vehicles over 3,500 lbs.
Examples: Chevy Impala Dodge Charger, Nissan Maxima
+Registration Fees – Trucks
+Registration Fees – Trucks
Trucks less than 2,000 lbs.
Trucks 2,000 – 3,000 lbs.
Example: Chevy S-10
Trucks over 3,000 but less than 5,000 lbs.
Examples: Chevy Colorado, Dodge Ram 1500, Ford F150
+Registration Fees – Motorcycles & Mopeds
+Registration Fees – Motorcycles & Mopeds
Motorcycles
Mopeds
+Miscellaneous Registration
+Miscellaneous Registration
Decal Mailing Fee
License Plate Mailing Fee
Late Fee: Vehicle title not transferred within 30 days of sale date
Late Fee: Vessel title not transferred within 30 days of sale date
Initial Registration Fee (First time plate)
Exemptions: Antique Vehicles (30+ years), trucks weighing more than 5,000 lbs, trailers, motorcycles, and mobile homes.
New License Plate Issuance
Transfer License Plate
Replacement License Plate
Replacement Decal
Duplicate Registration
Personalized Plate Processing
Specialty Plate Processing
Sample Plate
+Basic Title
+Basic Title
Transferring a Manufacturer Certificate of Origin (MCO) with lienholder
Transferring a Florida Title
Transferring an Out-of-State or Country Title
Add Lienholder (same owner – electronic)
Duplicate Title
Lease Vehicle Title
Print Electronic Title (same day)
+Miscellaneous Vehicle Registrations
+Miscellaneous Vehicle Registrations
Antique Automobile
Antique Motorcycle
Dealer and Manufactured Plates
Disabled Veteran (Exempt)
Motor Home under 4,500
Motor Home over 4,500
Recreational Vehicles 5th Wheel
Recreational Vehicles Camp Trailer
School Buses
Semi Trailer
Semi Trailer – Permanent Plate
Special Purpose Vehicles / Tools
Transporter Plate
Wrecker
+Heavy Trucks Over 5,000 lbs.
+Heavy Trucks Over 5,000 lbs.
5,001 to 5,999 GVW
6,000 to 7,999 GVW
8,000 to 9,999 GVW
10,000 to 14,999 GVW
15,000 to 19,999 GVW
20,000 to 26,000 GVW
26,001 to 34,999 GVW
35,000 to 43,999 GVW
44,000 to 54,999 GVW
55,000 to 61,999 GVW
62,000 to 71,999 GVW
72,000 and up
FAQs
Florida law requires you to transfer the title within 30 days of the purchase date. After 30 days, a state-mandated late fee will be added at the time of transfer. Florida Highway Safety+1
No, walk-ins are welcome for most services. Appointments are required for road testing, hazmat, and most concealed weapons transactions. Check our office hours and appointment availability for these transactions.
Yes. In Florida, the license plate stays with the seller, not the vehicle. The buyer may transfer an existing plate they already own or purchase a new plate when the title is transferred. Florida Highway Safety
Yes. If you cannot come in person, you may authorize someone to act on your behalf using a properly completed Power of Attorney (Form HSMV 82053), along with a copy of your valid photo ID. Florida Highway Safety
Electronic titles can still be transferred. In many cases, the buyer and seller can visit our office together to complete the secure title reassignment. If you prefer a paper title, you may request one for an additional state fee. Florida Highway Safety+1
If the vehicle is currently titled out-of-state, it must be physically present for a VIN and odometer verification, unless this has been completed in advance by an authorized verifier and documented on Form HSMV 82040 or Form HSMV 82042.
Ready to Get Started?
Our team is here to help make your visit as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Visit one of our convenient Hendry County Tax Collector locations in LaBelle or Clewiston to complete your transaction, or contact us if you have questions about what to bring.
