1. Which Vehicles are Eligible for this Transaction?
When a lienholder (bank, financial institution, etc.) or lease company holds the out-of-state title for your vehicle, the State of Florida provides an exception that allows the owner(s) to only register their vehicle without transferring their out-of-state title to Florida. This is referred to as "Registration Only". This procedure only applies to vehicle titled in US States and Territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.).
If you have a vehicle titled in a foreign country, please refer to our Out-of-Country Title Transfer Importing a Vehicle Into the US (https://helpcenter.taxcollector.com/hc/en-us/articles/26723265804429) publication.
If you don't have a lien, you paid off your loan, or bought out your lease, please refer to our Out-of-State Title Transfer (https://helpcenter.taxcollector.com/hc/en-us/articles/25134504897293) publication.
2. Complete the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Verification Form
Prior to arriving at our office, the entire VIN Verification Form (HSMV 82042 – https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/82042.pdf) must be completed. This form verifies the VIN and odometer on all vehicles being transferred to Florida from another State. A Florida notary, a licensed Florida auto dealer, a law enforcement officer in any state, or the buyer AND seller (if newly purchased) may complete the form.
Note: There are no other safety or emissions inspections required in Florida to title/register your vehicle.
Verification is not required on any boat, mobile home, trailer or semitrailer with an empty weight of less than 2,000 pounds, or any travel trailer, camping trailer, truck camper, fifth-wheel recreation trailer, or off-highway vehicle.
3. Appointments REQUIRED / Office Locations
Appointments are required for all transactions! Visit taxcollector.com to schedule an appointment. We only serve Manatee County residents and businesses. Limit four transactions per appointment.
4. Proof of Ownership - Bring Your Registration
You must submit your current (non-expired) out-of-state registration for your vehicle (original or state issued duplicate).
If your registration is expired or is lost, you must submit an official letter on letterhead stationary (legible fax copy accepted) from the State where the vehicle is currently titled. The letter must state the current titled owner name(s) and the vehicle details (year, make, VIN, etc.).
5. Proof of Lien / Lease
One of the following must be submitted to PROVE the title for the specific vehicle is in the possession of a lienholder (bank, financial institution, etc.) or lease company. The proof must include the year and make of the vehicle and your name:
- Payment Book, Coupon, or Statement/Screen-print
- Lienholder’s Retail Contract
- A Copy of the Out-of-State Title
- Dealer Invoice with Lienholder’s Name
- Lease Agreement
- Out-of-State Registration with Lien/Lease Info
- Letter on Lienholder Letterhead with Lien Info
- Payoff Letter or Estimate
6. At Least One Owner Present with Legal Identification
At least one owner* must be present with one of the following valid (unexpired) documents:
- Driver License/ID Card from any state (including US Territories)
- Passport from any country
- Canadian Driver License/ID Card
If presenting a passport from a country other than the US as your identification, the State of Florida requires one of the following documents to be presented as proof of legal presence:
- An unexpired passport issued by the government of another country with a stamp or mark from the United States Department of Homeland Security
- A current Permanent Resident Card
- An unexpired Immigrant Visa
- An unexpired I-94
If an owner cannot be present, consider using a Power of Attorney. You will be required to submit a copy of the absent individual's valid identification along with the completed form. The form must contain original signatures.
*BUSINESSES are required to submit documentation showing that they are a valid business. This can be done with a printout from:
- SunBiz (https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/) for a Florida business or
- rasi.com/resource-center/business-entity-search.asp for an out-of-state business
The printout must show an "active" status. If the individual is acting on behalf of the business is not listed on the printout, they must also submit, on letterhead, a letter than authorizes them to act on behalf of the business.
7. Bring PROOF of Your New FLORIDA Insurance on the Vehicle You are Registering
Not providing proof of Florida insurance is one of the most common reasons this transaction cannot be completed. Please note, out of state insurance policies MUST be transferred to Florida, and a new Florida policy issued with a Florida ID Card/Binder/Policy Number. In almost all cases, an out of state insurance agent will not be able to write a Florida insurance policy, and phone/internet based insurance companies will have to issue new policy documents showing it is a Florida policy.
Florida insurance card/binder/policy requirements:
- Must state that it is a Florida policy – if it doesn’t say Florida on the card, we won’t be able to take it.
- Cannot be expired or post-dated.
- Must list at least one owner’s name that will be recorded on the Florida title and/or registration.
- Must list the specific information (i.e., VIN, year, make, model) for the vehicle you are titling and/or registering.
- Must list the five-digit Florida Insurance Company Code Number.
Note: If you are titling/registering a truck that weighs more than 5,000 pounds, additional insurance requirements may apply. For details, read our heavy truck publication (https://helpcenter.taxcollector.com/hc/en-us/articles/26676583828109).
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles does not require our office to view proof of insurance for motorcycles, trailers, boats, mobile homes, or off-highway vehicles.
8. Bring PROOF that You've Owned Your Vehicle More than 6 Months to Avoid Paying Sales Tax
Usually, you will not have to pay Florida sales tax while transferring a vehicle to Florida from another state UNLESS you have owned the vehicle less than six months. (In Manatee County the sales tax is 7%.)
PROOF that you've owned the vehicle more than six months may include: current DMV registrations that include a purchase date, old DMV registrations, lien or lease paperwork, dealership paperwork - all documentation must contain your name and specific vehicle details (VIN, year, make, dates, etc.).
PROOF that you've paid sales tax, for vehicle owner less than six months, to a reciprocal US State/US Territory (https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/tips/Documents/TIP_25A01-01.pdf) must be submitted with your paperwork. A dealer invoice or registration which specifically lists sales tax paid, are the most common ways to prove this. Note: Not all states are reciprocal - when a state is not reciprocal, it means Florida sales tax must be collected.
With all registration/title transfer transactions the amount of sales tax paid by the customer, the reported purchase price, and the Fair Market Value claimed by the customer are subject to investigation and audit by the Florida Department of Revenue in Tallahassee.
9. Acceptable Methods of Payment and Estimated Fees
Our office accepts cash, check, debit cards, and credit cards. A $2.50 processing fee for debit cards and a 2.5% processing fee (minimum of $2.50) for credit cards will apply. Our office does not retain any portion of this fee.
The estimated cost to register a vehicle for the first time is $250.00 - $370.00. Estimate does not include sales tax, if applicable.
- Fees may be reduced if you previously had a license plate in your name in Florida. Other exceptions may apply - ask an associate during your visit for details.
- Active duty members of the US Military who are legal Florida residents may be exempt from some fees - ask an associate during your visit for details.
Manatee County Tag Agency – extended hours and Saturday Hours
The Manatee County Tag Agency processes registration and title transactions for vehicles, boats, and mobile homes as well as parking permits. This office does not offer driver license, hunting and fishing, or property tax services.
It offers extended hours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday) and Saturday hours (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Appointments are available but are not required. To schedule an appointment, visit www.autotagagency.net.
First Manatee South County Tag Agency is located in Southwood Shoppes at 5756 14th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34207. Their phone number is (941) 782-6050.
Express Auto Tags North River is located at 4333 US-301, Ellenton, FL 34222. Their phone number is (941) 623-9196
These offices accept cash, check, debit and credit cards. A fee will be charged on all check transactions to guarantee funds and on all debit/credit card transactions as a processing fee. Additional processing fees apply. Please contact Manatee County Tag Agency for more information.
The Manatee County Tag Agency is a privately owned office operating under the authority granted by the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office.
Non-Manatee County residents
Not a Manatee County resident? Out-of-county residents can only be served at the Manatee County Tag Agency. See the section above for more details regarding the Manatee County Tag Agency. Otherwise, you will need to visit your home county tax collector’s office.