Instructions
The State of Florida may require a bond to obtain a title for a vehicle when the applicant is unable to provide a properly assigned Certificate of Title.
Vehicles that are eligible for a bonded title in the State of Florida:
- The vehicle must have been sold in a private sale and must be an automobile, a truck weighing less than 8,000 pounds, or a motorcycle.
- The vehicle must also be between 10 and 25 years old.
- The vehicle must have a current Florida paper title. If the vehicle was last titled in another state, it does not qualify for a bonded title.
Florida does not issue bonded titles if the vehicle has any lines or encumbrances.
Florida also does not issue a bonded title for vessels, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, or off-highway vehicles. If you require a title for any of these types of vehicles, refer to Form 8204, https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/82040.pdf
How do I get a bonded title in Florida?
To get a bonded title in Florida from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, applicants are required to take the following steps:
- Fill out part A of Form 82042, Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification. https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/82042.pdf
- The vehicle must be inspected and then part B of the form 82042 is filled out.
- Get the value of your vehicle through Kelly Blue Book. You will need a clear screenshot of the value to submit with the bond. Kelly Blue Book value must be obtained by using the owner’s residential zip code, mileage, vehicle options, vehicle color, and vehicle’s condition (which at a minimum must be “good”). The amount shown for the “Private Party Value” should be used. The state will reject the bond if any other value is used.
- Purchase a Florida Certificate of Title Bond. When entering the information for the application, you will use the KBB value that you obtained for the value of the vehicle. Our system will calculate the bond amount to be two times the value.
- Complete the Application (Form 82040), https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/82040.pdf and an Affidavit (Form 82026), https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/82026.pdf
- You will pay all the necessary ales tax and motor vehicle title fees and submit all materials to your nearest FLHSMV office location.
The bond stays in effect for 3 years from the effective date.
Additional Resources:
Kelley Blue Book evaluation guide: https://www.kbb.com/
Florida DMS Procedure Manual for Bonded Titles: https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/proc/tl/tl-70.pdf
What is a Florida Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Bond?
Florida Statute 319.23(7) states that anyone (1) applying for a certificate of title for a motor vehicle in Florida and (2) who cannot provide a certificate of title assigning the prior owner’s interest in the vehicle to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), must obtain the State of Florida Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Bond. Essentially, if you purchased a vehicle without a title and applied for the title to be in your name, you will need to obtain a surety bond called the Florida Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Bond.
Like other surety bonds, the FL Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Bond is a contract between three parties: the principal (in this case, the applicant for a new title), the obligee (the entity that requires the title in order to protect itself from financial loss - the FLHSMV), and a surety company. The surety bond guarantees that an entity will fulfill its obligations as per the terms of an agreement.
This is a surety bond that will financially compensate any person or security interests that could potentially claim the vehicle after the new certificate of title is issued to the applicant. In essence, the surety bond protects the FLHSMV from responsibility or liability for the vehicle after having provided an applicant with a new title who did not have possession of the vehicle’s original title. This helps protect the FLHSMV from the risk of assigning new titles to individuals who gained possession of a car illegally.
Should an injured party make a claim against the principal’s bond, the surety will investigate the validity of the claim. If the claim is valid, the surety will compensate injured parties up to the bond amount. The principal would then be obligated to repay the surety for this compensation amount and any related charges.
Why do I need a Certificate of Title Bond?
If you have the vehicle’s original title, you do not need a certificate of title bond. However, in the event that the applicant does not have the vehicle’s title from the previous owner, the State of Florida Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Bond is required for the application for certificate of title in Florida. Without the previous title or a Florida Certificate of Title Bond, the FLHSMV will not be able to issue a new certificate of title.
How much does a Title Bond cost in Florida?
The required bond amount is two times the value of the vehicle, which can be appraised by Kelly Blue Book. However, this is not the amount that applicants actually need to pay. The applicant only needs to pay a small percentage of the bond amount, called a premium. Your specific premium rate is determined by the type of vehicle, the bond amount, and the applicant’s credit score. The credit check is a soft inquiry, so it will not harm your credit score!
Applicants with excellent credit may see quotes starting at only 1% of the bond amount. Even if you have nonstandard credit, we encourage you to apply anyway. At EZ Surety Bonds, we work with a variety of sureties to find you the best quote available.
The State of Florida Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Bond has a three-year term, and once the three years are up, you no longer need the bond. Meaning, your certificate of title bond does not need to be renewed.
Obligee information
The obligee for the FL Title Bond is the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Division of Motor Services of the State of Florida.
If you would like to contact a representative of the FLHSMV, you may select your county of jurisdiction from their website.
How do I get my Florida Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Bond?
At EZ Surety Bonds, we make it easy to obtain your State of Florida Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Bond. Simply fill out our quick online application, and one of our friendly surety experts will contact you regarding your free quote within 24 hours. Following the payment and receipt of your bond, you can file it with the obligee, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
Our friendly surety experts are always happy to assist you. If you have questions, please contact us through email at bonds@southcoastsurety.com, or by phone at 1-866-546-4606.
Frequently asked questions
How to calculate my Florida Certificate of Title Bond amount?
The Florida Title Bond requires a bond amount equal to two times the value of your vehicle. To identify the value of your vehicle, you must get it appraised. The state of Florida views appraisals from Kelly Blue Book or the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) as acceptable.
How much will my title bond cost?
Although the required bond amount of the State of Florida Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Bond is twice the value of the vehicle, you only pay a small percentage of the bond amount, called a premium. This premium rate is determined by the vehicle type, bond amount, and your credit score. Please note that this credit check is a soft credit check and will not harm your credit score.
Applicants who have excellent credit may receive quotes as low as 1% of the bond amount. We work with a variety of surety markets to offer competitive quotes. Because the credit check will not hurt your credit score, we encourage you to apply for your bond anyway, even if you have nonstandard credit. Simply apply on our website today, and one of our surety experts will contact you regarding your free quote within 24 hours.
I’ve purchased my Florida Title Bond—now what?
After you purchase the bond, we will mail the original document to you. Most obligees require you to file the original bond with them (usually signed by the principal), although some obligees may approve of an electronic copy. Every obligee has its own unique filing requirements, so be sure to confirm the filing requirements with your obligee before doing anything with your bond.
