A Florida Vehicle Bill of Sale: Everything You Need To Know
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Congratulations on buying a new vehicle in Florida! But now that you’ve bought a vehicle (or are thinking about buying a new one), you need to know a bit about the Florida bill of sale for vehicles.
One of the first things you need to know is that Florida doesn’t have a legal requirement to have a bill of sale, but it’s still generally a good idea to get one. That’s because having a bill of sale provides some basic information about the sale itself, the value of your vehicle, and grace periods you might have after getting the vehicle to register or complete other important tasks.
Here’s what you need to know about bills of sale in Florida.
What Does A Bill of Sale Do?
The main reason you should get a bill of sale in Florida is that the bill of sale helps protect everyone involved from theft, fraud, and other financial crimes. It also helps make sure your vehicle is the one you thought you were buying and may be required to register the vehicle.
That means that, while a bill of sale isn’t strictly required, it can be very difficult to register and title your new vehicle without one.
Since both the buyer and seller must provide some important information for a valid bill of sale, that means it’s important to verify that information before the sale is finalized.
In short, a bill of sale protects you, provides information, and can serve as proof of ownership.
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Florida Bill Of Sale Requirements
While it’s not required to get a Florida Bill of Sale when you buy a vehicle, there are some requirements for a document to be considered a bill of sale.
Here’s what you need to include:
Contact Information
The first piece of information that you need to include is the contact information for both the buyer and seller.
Seller Information
The seller needs to include their legal name, signature, and the date of the sale in their contact information. You will also need to list a phone number and may be required to list an address or some other contact information in the bill of sale.
Buyer Information
As a buyer, you’ll need to list similar contact information to the seller. This is mostly for their records and for state records since you’ve taken ownership of the car. Having buyer information also helps track who owns what vehicle for recalls and other important updates.
You’ll need to include your legal name, your signature, and the date of the sale/signature. You’ll also provide your phone number and likely your address.
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What Vehicle Information Do You Need To Provide
An acceptable bill of sale also needs to have some information about the vehicle that’s been sold, just like any bill of sale for a large item or asset.
Here’s some of the basic information you need to provide. Usually, you’ll also include the make/model of the vehicle, its color, and any other identifying information that might be relevant.
VIN Number
The Vin is the Vehicle Identification Number, a unique code that identifies your vehicle and is added when the vehicle is manufactured. The number itself is printed on your vehicle in several different places and can be used to track an individual vehicle no matter how many times it changes hands unless it’s removed.
Your VIN number also helps protect you against vehicle theft and helps make sure you receive the exact car you pay for in a sale.
License Plate Number
Your license plate number can be a bit tricky on your bill of sale. A license plate number might be included on your bill of sale if you buy your vehicle from a dealership, but it’s usually not included if you’re buying from a private seller.
That’s because private sellers cannot register the vehicle for you and usually don’t want you to use their license in the meantime. Dealerships can provide temporary plates and registration to buyers, and those numbers are used on the bill of sale.
However, a bill of sale can still be used as proof of ownership if you don’t have your license and registration yet. The date of sale also marks the start of your grace period to get the vehicle properly registered and licensed.
Registration Number
Like your license number, your registration number is usually only included in the bill of sale if you get your vehicle from a dealership; otherwise, the bill of sale is used to get your registration and to prove you are within the grace period after buying your registration if you haven’t gotten it registered yet.
Sale Information
In addition to all the other information in your bill of sale, you’ll also need a little information about the sale itself. That includes the amount of the sale, the sale’s date, and any other relevant details. This information is used for registering the vehicle and helps track its value across sales, as well as helping you calculate your sale’s tax and property tax on the new vehicle.
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Do You Need More Than One Copy Of A Florida Bill Of Sale?
Technically, since bills of sale aren’t legally required in Florida, no, you don’t need more than one. However, we’d recommend making at least three copies, one each for the buyer and seller, and one spare or to file with the state.
You can also create more copies if needed, especially if you have a safe space to file your bill of sale outside your home or a lawyer or accountant who can keep it in your records.
Registering Your Vehicle After Getting A Bill Of Sale
Having a bill of sale and registering your vehicle aren’t the same things. Even with a bill of sale, you’ll still need to register your vehicle and pay any registration and licensing fees. The bill of sale can serve as your proof of ownership, especially in addition to a title and other sale documentation.
The documents you get with your vehicle will vary slightly depending on whether you get your vehicle from a dealership or from a private seller, but you should always have at least a bill of sale and a Title. If you don’t have a Title you may need to apply for a salvage title or another alternative to register your vehicle.
In general, you have 30 days after buying a new car or moving to Florida to register your vehicle in Florida.
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