What Paperwork Do You Need to Sell a Junk Car in Florida?
The title, a photo ID, and — where they apply — a lien satisfaction, a duplicate title, or a derelict-vehicle certificate. The full list, in plain language.
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Call NowTL;DR
- The title
- The certificate of title in your name is the document that matters. The sale cannot be completed cleanly without it, or without one of the paths that replaces it.
- A photo ID
- A valid photo ID, in the name on the title, ready at pickup.
- Where the paths apply
- A duplicate title on HSMV Form 82101 if the title was lost. A derelict-vehicle certificate on FLHSMV Form 82137 if the car is 10 model years or older and is being sold for scrap. A lien satisfaction if there is a lien.
- What to do next
- Call now and describe the car and the paperwork you have. The provider explains what is needed for your situation.
The title: the document that matters
The certificate of title is the document that proves ownership of a car, and it is the document that matters for the sale. The title shows the owner's name, the vehicle identification number, and any lien on the car. When a car is sold, the title is signed over to the buyer — in this case, the provider — and the transfer is recorded, so the car is no longer in your name.
Florida generally requires a title transfer when a car changes hands. That rule applies to junk cars as much as to running cars. A sale without a title, or without one of the paths that replaces it, is not a clean sale — and a sale that is not clean can come back to the seller, because the car is still in their name.
A photo ID
A valid photo ID, in the name on the title, is needed at pickup. The ID proves that the person selling the car is the person named on the title, and it is part of the record of the sale. Have it ready at pickup — the provider will ask for it.
If the name on the title does not match your ID — because of a marriage, a name change, or a title that was never transferred into your name — say so on the call. A name mismatch is a paperwork problem, and the provider explains what is needed to fix it before pickup is arranged.
The paths that replace a missing title
If the title was lost, stolen or damaged, the path is a duplicate title on HSMV Form 82101, filed through the county Tax Collector. You need the vehicle identification number, your current name and address, and a valid photo ID. If there is an active lien, only the lienholder can apply.
If the car is 10 model years or older and is being sold for scrap, the derelict-vehicle path on FLHSMV Form 82137 may apply. Proof of ownership and a photo ID are still needed. If there is a lien on the car, the lien has to be satisfied first — the lender files a lien satisfaction with FLHSMV, and once it is filed, the lien is cleared from the title.
The license plate, and what else to have ready
The license plate is not paperwork for the sale, but it is something to deal with before pickup. In Florida the plate stays with you, not with the car. Take it off before pickup, and return it to the Tax Collector or keep it for another vehicle, as the Tax Collector advises.
Have the keys ready if you have them — keys are not required, but they help. Remove your personal belongings from the car, and clear a path to the car so the provider can reach it. And if the car was in an accident, or took on water, say so on the call — the provider needs to know what happened to the car.
The certificate of title in your name, and a valid photo ID. If the title is lost, a duplicate on HSMV Form 82101. If the car is 10 model years or older and is being sold for scrap, the derelict path on FLHSMV Form 82137 may apply. If there is a lien, a lien satisfaction.
The title is the document that matters for the sale, not the registration. The title proves ownership; the registration proves the car was registered to drive. The provider needs the title.
Say so on the call. A name mismatch is a paperwork problem, and the provider explains what is needed to fix it before pickup is arranged.
Take it off before pickup. In Florida the plate stays with you, not with the car. Return it to the Tax Collector or keep it for another vehicle, as the Tax Collector advises.
No. Keys are not required, but they help. If the keys are missing, tell the provider on the call, and say whether the steering is locked and the car can roll.
Junk car sitting in Ocala?
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