How to Replace a Lost Car Title in Florida
Owners of motor vehicles are required to replace a lost car title at the DMV in Florida as well as when the document becomes illegible. If drivers are faced with destroyed, stolen or lost car title, then they need to apply for a duplicate by using one of the replacement methods offered by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).
A car title certificate is a proof of ownership to a motor vehicle that drivers must present in situations when they need to prove their possession of the vehicle. Therefore, motorists must request a replacement car title in Florida as soon as they notice that their credentials are lost, stolen or destroyed in order to make sure that they possess a valid credential in every possible situation. For more information about how to get a new title if lost or stolen, continue reading the sections below.
When do you need to get a duplicate car title in Florida?
Motorists who are faced with a lost car title in Florida must apply for a replacement credential through the state DHSMV. Moreover, requesting a replacement car title is also an option when the driver’s credential has been fully or partially damaged.
Motorists may replace a lost car title at the DMV by visiting a local FLHSMV title office in person, by using the online system or by mailing the required documentation to the state department. To learn how to replace a lost car title in person online or by mail, continue reading the following sections and get prepared prior to beginning the replacement procedure.
Documents Required When Applying for a Florida Car Title Copy
When replacing a lost car title at the DMV in Florida, motorists will be required to provide a set of documents needed for completing the procedure. In the process of how to replace a vehicle title in FL, drivers are mandated to provide the following documents:
- Application for Duplicate or Lost in Transit/Reassignment for a Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home or Vessel Title Certificate
- Proof of identity (ID card, driver’s license)
- Lien satisfaction if needed
In addition to the list of required documents, motorists who want to request a replacement car title must also provide payment for the applicable fees. The documents and payment must be submitted to the FL DHSMV when replacing a destroyed, stolen or lost car title in Florida.
Available Methods for Replacing Your Car Title in Florida
To request a replacement car title in Florida, motorists need to apply for a duplicate credential either online, by mail or in person at a nearby FL DHSMV title office. Motorists who are wondering how to get a replacement car title may choose one of the offered methods for getting a duplicate credential. To find out what to do in order to replace a car title online, by mail or in person at DHSMV, continue reading the following sections.
Online
Replacing a car title online is a procedure that may be completed through the FL DHSMV website. The state department has created an electronic lien and titling (ELT) system, also known as e-title, for lien holders who may use it for obtaining a duplicate title, satisfying the lien on a title, mailing a title to a customer or for retrieving a title when the lien has been satisfied. Motorists are urged to use this online service for replacing a lost car title at the DMV, the online method is currently the fastest and most convenient replacement method offered to drivers.
Vehicle owners may request a replacement car title through this online service by submitting the same list of documents required for a regular paper car title. However, once the online procedure for replacing a lost car title is done, the lien holder will receive an electronic notification instead of a paper title. This electronic system helps vehicle owners to avoid dealing with destroyed, stolen or lost car titles in Florida by issuing electronic titles that cannot be easily stolen or lost as the paper credentials.
Note: When requesting a replacement car title in Florida and the electronic lien is satisfied, the lien satisfaction will be sent electronically to the DHSMV. The vehicle title will stay electronic until vehicle owners request a paper credential.
By Mail
Motorists may be able to replace a car title by mail in Florida as long as they collect the required paperwork and pay the applicable fees. Drivers may need to complete a replacement title application form and provide proof of identification, lien satisfaction and payment for the applicable fees. However, in order to find out more information about requesting a replacement car title by mail, drivers are encouraged to contact a nearby FL DHSMV branch.
In Person
To replace a lost car title in person at a local FL DHSMV office, vehicle owners need to first complete an Application for Duplicate or Lost in Transit/Reassignment for a Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home or Vessel Title Certificate. After that, they need to submit the completed replacement title application form at a DHSMV title office, along with proof of identification and lien satisfaction if necessary.
In addition, one of the requirements for replacing a lost or damaged car title is that motorists must pay the applicable replacement fees when submitting the required paperwork at the DHSMV.
How to Fill out the Duplicate Car Title Application in Florida
When wondering how to replace a stolen car title in Florida, motorists need to be aware that they must complete an Application for Duplicate or Lost in Transit/Reassignment for a Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home or Vessel Title Certificate. When completing the application form for replacing a lost car title, applicants need to provide the following:
- Information about the type of application
- Information about the person who applies for a duplicate car title
- Motor vehicle information
- Replacement title application form signatures and odometer disclosure
- Vehicle usage/brands
- Information about the lien holder
Note: Motorists who are replacing their lost car titles at the DMV in Florida may also read the second page of the form for more specific instructions about the application procedure.
Florida Car Title Replacement Fees
Motorists who want to learn what are the fees to replace a lost car title in Florida will need to pay a standard $75.25 fee. However, the cost for obtaining a duplicate title depend on whether there is a lien on the vehicle in question as well as if the automobile is for hire.
In addition to the fees needed for an electronic title, motorists who want to replace a lost car title at the DMV in Florida and obtain a printed paper title will be required to pay an additional service fee.
Car Title Replacement Forms
Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.
Sources
- Duplicate Title from FLHSMV.gov