Florida bill of sale forms are used to legally document the sale and purchase of any item in the state of Florida. In some cases you will need to use a specific bill of sale to properly record all of the required information, such as when selling or buying a car, boat, or firearm. Some Florida bills of sale will need to be notarized before ownership can be legally transferred to the buyer.
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1. Florida Vehicle Bill of Sale
Florida law requires a motor vehicle bill of sale, which is a legal document that acts as a receipt of a vehicle sale, if you are buying or selling a vehicle in the state. A bill of sale is not only a record of the sale, but also includes pertinent information, such as vehicle purchase date, sale price, and the parties’ contact information. After completing a bill of sale, the sale is not final until you transfer the vehicle title and have it registered.
A state-approved, printable notice of Notice of Sale and/or Bill of Sale for a Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home, Off-Highway Vehicle or Vessel is offered by Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). Though the state provides this document, which functions as both a notice of sale and a bill of sale, buyers and sellers can create their own using the required fields.
The bill of sale must contain the following information:
- Make, model, year, body type, and color of the vehicle
- Certificate of title number, which is located on the vehicle title
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Odometer disclosure statement
- The buyer’s and seller’s addresses
- The buyer’s and seller’s signatures and date of signing
- The sale date and price
Additional Considerations
The state does not have a specific rule that outlines whether or not a bill of sale can be submitted in languages other than English. However, for the paperwork to go through the system seamlessly, the state recommends submitting it in English. For documents in another language, such as Spanish, the Florida DMV advises submitting it with a translated version.
Though not required, the state of Florida recommends notarizing the bill of sale. A notarized document increases its legal credibility in case the sale ever comes into question.
Why Use One?
After it is completed, the bill of sale must be sent to your county tax collector’s office, which maintains these records.
These documents are required so the state can track current vehicle owners. Even if a bill of sale/notice wasn’t required in Florida, it is still a good idea for buyers to have them because they act as proof of purchase or receipt. A bill of sale also protects the seller from liability, specifically during the period of time between the sale and when the new title is issued for the vehicle.
After Purchasing a Vehicle
After the bill of sale is completed, you must transfer the title and register your vehicle in Florida. Transferring the title and registration will be done at the same time. State law requires this to be done within 30 days of the sale.
To transfer a title within Florida, you need:
- The title that has the transfer section completed by the seller
- A completed Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration
- Proof of vehicle insurance, such as a copy your insurance policy or insurance card
- A completed Florida Insurance Affidavit
- A lien satisfaction document to prove that any liens that show up on the title aren’t your responsibility
If the transfer is an out-of-state vehicle title, you also must submit a Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification. To ensure everything is completed correctly, buyers and sellers are encouraged to go to the state’s tax collector office together. Also, both parties should save copies of the bill of sale for their own records.
Title and Registration Fees
Whether you transfer a vehicle title within Florida or outside the state, you can expect to pay a host of fees.
- If you are transferring a title within the state, you are charged $75.25 for an electronic title and $77.75 for a paper title. The state charges an additional $2 for each lien.
- For out-of-state transfers, you can expect to pay $85.25 for an electronic title and $87.75 for a paper title. The state charges an additional $2 for each lien.
- Those new to Florida pay an initial registration fee of $225. Otherwise, Florida charges registration fees based on vehicle type, its weight, the number of years you will be registering the vehicle, and the license plate you select. Car owners can register vehicles for one or two years. Registration fees start at $27.60, according to the state.
3. Florida Boat Bill of Sale
Florida requires a seller of a vessel to complete the Notice of Sale section on the back of the Certificate of Title or the HSMV 82050 form within 30 days of the sale and submit it to the FLHSMV or your local tax office. If the DHSMV holds your title electronically, you can contact the department and request a paper title, which is required to complete the transfer to the buyer. To move forward with the sale, the seller must sign the title over to the purchaser and provide information, including the purchaser’s name, the sale price, and the sale date.
Florida does not require a bill of sale for boats, but advises one. In order to register a vessel, the owner must provide proof of ownership; a builder’s contract, a manufacturer’s statement of origin, a federal marine document or an executed bill of sale are all acceptable documents. The bill of sale or any other proof of ownership must include a complete description of the vessel, including:
- Manufacturer’s name
- Year
- Type
- Hull material
- Propulsion
- Fuel
- Use of vessel
- Hull identification number
- Length
If a bill of sale itemizes the cost of each individual item, the purchaser will only pay sales tax on the cost of the boat. After the sale, purchasers must pay registration fees, which are determined, in part, by vessel length.
4. Florida Gun Bill of Sale
Florida law does not require a firearm bill of sale or any other documentation for private gun purchases. However, for guns bought through a licensed firearms leader, buyers must complete a form and receive approval for the purchase/transfer from the state’s Department of Law Enforcement.
Though a bill of sale isn’t required, creating one protects sellers in the event the gun was stolen or used in a crime after ownership was transferred. A firearm bill of sale should contain:
- Buyer’s name and address
- Seller’s name and address
- Both the buyer and seller’s signatures
- The firearm’s type and serial number
- The date of purchase
For protection against liability, the document should be notarized.