Tag & Title Registration Frequently Asked Questions

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Why do I need to provide proof of insurance when renewing?

Section 320.02(5)(a), Florida Statutes, requires a motor vehicle owner to provide proof that personal injury protection benefits have been purchased when required under s. 627.733, and in compliance with s. 627.733, Florida Statutes, and that property damage liability coverage has been purchased as required under s.324.022, Florida Statutes, and combined bodily insurance and property damage liability insurance have been purchased when required under s. 627.7415, Florida Statutes.

The applicant shall provide such proof at the time of application for registration of any motor vehicle owned as defined in s. 627.732, Florida Statutes. The issuing license plate agent shall refuse to issue registration if such proof of insurance is not provided.

What do I need to do?

 If I sell my vehicle?

If you are not purchasing another vehicle you must surrender your tag to any Tax Collector’s office.  You will be given a receipt for your license plate.  

If I didn't receive a renewal notice in the mail ?

If you did not receive a renewal notice and would like to renew by mail, please submit the following items:

• photocopy of current registration
• proof of Florida insurance (photocopy of card, photocopy of binder, or insurance affidavit completed by the vehicle owner)
• check or money order for the proper fees made payable to:
  
  Ray Valdes, Seminole County Tax Collector
  PO Box 630
  Sanford, FL 32771
  

Lost the paperwork on the vehicle I purchased ?

The seller must apply for a replacement title. The seller must resign any replacement documents such as a bill of sale and odometer disclosure.

Lost my title?

The owner(s) of the vehicle may request a duplicate title at any Tax Collector's office. The fees for a duplicate title are as follows:

• $75.75 for electronic title only.
• $78.25 to have the title printed and mailed.
• $85.75 if you wish to have this processed as a fast title

The duplicate title is mailed to the owner within 10-14 days. You will need to present picture ID. If there is a lien showing on DHSMV records, you will need to obtain a lien satisfaction letter from the lien holder.

Where do I get an application for a parking permit or a wheel chair plate?

You may pick up an application at any of our offices or download the application from our web site.

When do I need to?      

Change the address on my driver license?

Florida law requires residents, within 10 days of changing their name and address, to obtain a replacement license. The fee is $25.00.  

Change my driver license from out of state to Florida, and do I have to do this before I can get my Florida plate?

Florida law requires you to obtain your Florida driver license within 30 days of establishing residency .   There is no requirement to obtain your Florida plates first.

Renew my tag?  How early can I renew my tag?

You must renew your tag by midnight of your birthday.  You may renew your tag up to three months prior to your birth month.

Surrender my license plates?

You must surrender your license plates if you move out of state, cancel your insurance or sell your vehicle and do not plan on replacing it within 30 days.   

How do I?

Cancel a disabled parking permit ?

If the owner is deceased or no longer requires the permit, the parking permit may be turned in or mailed to the Tax Collector's office with an explanation for canceling.

Purchase a personalized plate/tag?

Personalized plates are ordered from the Tax Collector’s Office. The cost of the plate is $15.00 per year in addition to the annual tax and fees. Personalized plates may be ordered for private or company owned cars, trucks, motor homes, motorcycles and leased vehicles. They are usually mailed to your home within 90 days after ordering.

• HSMV 83043 Personalized Plate Application
• Is your proposed personalized plate configuration available?

Change the address on my registration?

An updated registration will be provided at a charge of $5.50.

• In order to maintain accurate records, and to help ensure that each registered owner receives a tag renewal notice, all changes of address, with the appropriate tag numbers, must be reported to the Tax Collector’s Office within 20 days.
• In compliance with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles a change of address request must be submitted in writing by US mail, to the appropriate mailing address, or in person at any of our Tax Collector's office locations.  Please use the address below to send all written requests.
  • Ray Valdes
    Seminole County Tax Collector
    P.O. Box 630
    Sanford, FL 32772-0630
• You may also complete and mail in the form below:
  
  Registration Address Change Form

Register a vehicle, I am moving here from another state.

The following documents must be completed and sent to the Tax Collector's Office:

1. The Title.
2. The vehicle's VIN must be verified by one of the following:
   a. Police officer
   b. Out of state dealer on their letterhead
   c. Florida car dealer
   d. Florida DMV inspector
   e. Florida Notary
   f. Florida Tax Collector Employee
   
3. Approved picture identification of the applicant
4. Bill of Sale or proof of sales tax collected if the vehicle is owned less than six months
5. Proof of Florida Insurance

Register a vehicle, I just purchased from another state?

The following documents must be completed and sent to the Tax Collector's Office:

1. The title has been signed and completed by the seller.
2. The vehicle's VIN must be verified by one of the following:
   
   a. Police officer
   b. Out of state dealer on their letterhead
   c. Florida car dealer
   d. Florida DMV inspector
   e. Florida Notary
   f. Florida Tax Collector Employee
   
3. Approved picture identification of the applicant
4. Bill of Sale or proof of sales tax collected
5. Proof of Florida Insurance

Sell a vehicle?  What do I do with the title?

The seller(s) must print the buyer(s) names, address, date of sale, selling price, mileage and mileage read date if vehicle is less than ten years old.  The buyer(s) and seller(s) must also sign and print their names.

Can I?

Buy a temporary tag to take my vehicle back to my home state

Yes, if the vehicle was purchased in Florida with a Florida title. You must provide proof of current insurance, the title and approved picture identification. The temporary tag is $7.50 and you will be assessed sales tax according to your state of residence.

Sign on behalf of my spouse?

You may only sign on your spouse’s behalf if they have appointed you attorney in-fact on a power of attorney form.

Use my spouse’s parking permit for myself?

No.  Each parking permit registration reflects the owner’s driver’s license number.  It may only be used by the parking permit owner.

Anyone who obtains or uses a permit that does not belong to them can be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor - $1000 fine or up to 6 months in jail. Improper use of the permit is twice the fee of a disabled parking violation. This should deter people from loaning their permits to family members.

It does not matter if you are running an errand for the person with a disability. If the person with a disability is not present -- the fine is $1000.