Does a Florida bill of sale need to be notarized?

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles recommends having the bill of sale notarized. Its selling guidance does not state that notarization is required.

What is form HSMV 82050?

The Notice of Sale, which Florida law requires every seller to file. Filing it with a motor vehicle service center removes the seller's registration from the vehicle and helps the seller avoid civil liability after the sale. The form also documents the sale and is the legal receipt.

How long does the buyer have to transfer the title in Florida?

30 calendar days. The buyer submits the Application for Certificate of Title with the title to a motor vehicle service center within that period to avoid a late transfer penalty fee.

Can a vehicle with a lien be sold in Florida?

Not in a private sale. The lien must first be satisfied, and the title can be transferred once the lienholder reports the satisfaction to the department.

Florida Vehicle Bill of Sale

Florida law requires every seller to file a Notice of Sale, form HSMV 82050, and the department recommends that the bill of sale be notarized.

Fill In the Florida Bill of Sale. Print it or save it as a PDF.

Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale

State of Florida

Vehicle

Vehicle Identification Number

Year

Make

Model

Odometer Reading

Date of Sale

Purchase Price

Seller

Full Name

Street Address

City, State, ZIP Code

Buyer

Full Name

Street Address

City, State, ZIP Code

The seller sold the vehicle described above to the buyer for the purchase price stated. The seller certifies that, to the best of the seller's knowledge, the odometer reading reflects the actual mileage of the vehicle unless otherwise indicated.

Seller Signature and Date

Buyer Signature and Date

Florida Rules. As stated by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Bill of Sale: The selling guidance of the department tells the seller to keep copies of the bill of sale and the certificate of title, and recommends having the bill of sale notarized. The guidance does not state that a separate bill of sale is required to transfer the title.
Notice of Sale: Florida law requires sellers to file form HSMV 82050. Filing it with a motor vehicle service center removes the seller's registration from the vehicle and helps the seller avoid civil liability for the operation of the vehicle after the sale. The form also documents the sale and is the legal receipt.
Transfer of the Title: For a sale to be legal in Florida, the seller must transfer the title to the buyer. The seller completes the Transfer of Title by Seller section on the front of the title, including the name and address of the buyer, the odometer information, the selling price and the date sold.
Deadline for the Buyer: The buyer completes an Application for Certificate of Title, attaches it to the title and submits it to a motor vehicle service center within 30 calendar days to avoid a late transfer penalty fee.
Odometer Disclosure: Space for the odometer disclosure is included on Florida titles. Both the buyer and the seller must acknowledge the disclosure on the title transaction.
Liens: A vehicle cannot be legally sold in a private sale while a lien exists. The lien must first be satisfied, and the title can be transferred once the lienholder reports the satisfaction to the department.
Electronic Titles: When the title is held electronically, the seller and the buyer must both visit a motor vehicle service center, with photo identification, to complete a secure title reassignment and disclose the odometer reading.
License Plates: The plates stay with the seller, not the vehicle. The seller removes the plate from the sold vehicle.

Official Form. Published by the state.

Notice of Sale, Form HSMV 82050

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles publishes this form. The sheet above is not that form and does not replace it where the agency asks for it.

Florida law requires the seller to file this form with a motor vehicle service center.

Open the Official Form

Questions. Requirements and limits.

Does a Florida bill of sale need to be notarized?: The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles recommends having the bill of sale notarized. Its selling guidance does not state that notarization is required.
What is form HSMV 82050?: The Notice of Sale, which Florida law requires every seller to file. Filing it with a motor vehicle service center removes the seller's registration from the vehicle and helps the seller avoid civil liability after the sale. The form also documents the sale and is the legal receipt.
How long does the buyer have to transfer the title in Florida?: 30 calendar days. The buyer submits the Application for Certificate of Title with the title to a motor vehicle service center within that period to avoid a late transfer penalty fee.
Can a vehicle with a lien be sold in Florida?: Not in a private sale. The lien must first be satisfied, and the title can be transferred once the lienholder reports the satisfaction to the department.

Other States. Pages for selected states.

Reviewed on 2026-10-27 against Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Selling a Vehicle, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Buying from a Private Sale. Rules and forms change, and the agency confirms the requirements for a specific transaction.

This page provides general information and is not legal advice.

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