Liens and Titles

Paper Liens and Titles




Paper Title

All owners are encouraged to maintain their titles electronically, which stores the electronic title record in FLHSMV’s database until such a time as one might need a paper title for the purposes of selling a vehicle or transferring title to another state or country.

However, if all liens on your vehicle have been satisfied, an electronic title can be converted into paper format in one of three ways:

  • Online through MyDMV Portal
  • By mail to your county tax collector office
  • In-person at your county tax collector office

 

Convert an electronic title to paper online

Owners with electronic titles (and no lien) can request an electronic title be converted to a paper title through the department’s online services website MyDMV Portal for a fee of $4.50. Once the request is completed online, the converted paper title will then be mailed to the address reflected on the owner’s motor vehicle record. Paper titles are generally received within 3-4 weeks.

Please note: Titles cannot be printed at home, and they cannot be picked up from a Florida county tax collector’s office or service center after a title transaction has been completed online.

 

Request a paper title via mail

A customer can mail the following to their Florida county tax collector’s office for processing:

  • Photocopy of a valid picture ID
  • Written request to have an electronic title (with no lien) printed
  • Print electronic title fee payment of $2.50
    • For acceptable payment types, visit your local tax collector’s website.

Once printed at a Florida county tax collector office, paper titles are mailed by standard mail and typically received within 3-4 weeks.

 

Request a paper title in person

A title printed and provided to the customer in an expedited manner is referred to as a fast title and must be requested in person. It will be issued and printed the same day. There is an additional $10 fee for this fast-title service. Fast titles may be obtained by visiting a Florida county tax collector’s office or service center.

 

Duplicate Paper Title

If your title is currently in paper format and has been lost, stolen, or damaged, a duplicate paper title can be obtained from the department. To obtain a duplicate paper title, an owner must mail or take the following to a Florida county tax collector’s office or service center.

If the original paper title is located after a duplicate paper title has been issued, the original is no longer valid because it was replaced, and the original should be destroyed or forwarded to FLHSMV.

 

Miscellaneous

You do not need to request a paper title prior to trading your vehicle with a Florida dealership.

If your title is currently in paper format, you will need to take your paper title with you if trading your vehicle in at a dealership.

If your title is currently in paper format and you are selling your vehicle, rather than trading it in at a dealership, you will need your paper title to transfer ownership to a buyer. FLHSMV recommends conducting the sale and transfer in a Florida county tax collector’s office or motor vehicle service center to ensure your name is removed from the vehicle ownership record.

If your title status is paper format, but you no longer possess it, a duplicate paper title must be requested at a Florida county tax collector’s office or service center.

If you are a military service member or veteran, please visit the department’s Military and Veteran Information page for title information specific to your military or veteran status.

 

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