Florida Form HSMV 73020 is the state’s Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration used to put a vessel, vehicle, or mobile home into a Florida owner’s name through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Every Florida resident who buys, inherits, or imports a titled boat, car, motorcycle, RV, or mobile home must file this application with their local county tax collector within 30 days of the transfer.
The form looks short, but each box ties to a different statute under Chapter 328 for vessels and Chapter 319 for vehicles, and a single wrong digit in the Hull Identification Number (HIN) or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can stall your title for weeks. The Florida tax collectors’ association reports that roughly 1 in 7 title applications is rejected on first submission for missing signatures, odometer errors, or sales tax miscalculations, costing filers an average of 21 extra days of processing.
Here is what this guide covers:
- 📝 Every box on Form HSMV 73020 explained in plain English with sample entries
- ⛵ Three full walk-throughs for a private boat sale, a new-resident car transfer, and a dealer-financed purchase
- 💰 The exact fees, sales tax, and late penalties tied to each filing channel
- 🛑 The 10 most common mistakes that get applications kicked back
- ❓ Twelve field-level FAQs answered in 35 words or less
What Form HSMV 73020 Is and Who Must File It
Form HSMV 73020 is Florida’s umbrella Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration, used by individuals, dealers, and lienholders to record ownership of a titled vessel, motor vehicle, mobile home, or off-highway vehicle with the state. The form lives on the FLHSMV forms page and is processed at every Florida county tax collector office and authorized license plate agent.
You must file it whenever ownership changes hands, whenever you bring a titled item from another state, whenever you add or remove a lienholder, or whenever you correct a name or VIN on a Florida title. Florida Statute §328.03 gives vessel buyers 30 days to apply, and a $10 late fee plus a possible second-degree misdemeanor charge attaches after that window closes. Vehicle buyers fall under §319.23 with similar 30-day rules.
The form replaces no other form by itself, but it works alongside the bill of sale, the manufacturer’s statement of origin, the out-of-state title, the odometer disclosure, and the lien recording document. Dealers submit it electronically through the Electronic Filing System (EFS), while private buyers walk it into the tax collector’s office.
A common misconception is that registration alone proves ownership. It does not. Only the title, issued from a properly completed Form HSMV 73020, transfers legal ownership in Florida.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every document below before you sit down with the form, because the tax collector cannot process a partial packet and a second trip means another wait at the counter. Florida’s Bay County Tax Collector publishes the standard checklist most counties follow.
- Original out-of-state title or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO/MSO). Without ownership proof, the application is dead on arrival because the state has nothing to transfer.
- Bill of sale showing buyer, seller, price, date, HIN/VIN, and signatures, because Florida computes 6% sales tax from this number.
- Florida driver license or state ID for every owner being added to the title, because the agency cross-checks names against DAVID, the state ID database.
- Hull or VIN verification on Form HSMV 87002 for vessels or Form HSMV 82042 for out-of-state vehicles, because used out-of-state items require physical inspection.
- Odometer disclosure for vehicles less than 20 model years old, because federal law requires it and the title cannot print without it.
- Lien satisfaction letter if a prior loan was paid off, because a stale lien blocks the new title.
- U.S. Coast Guard deletion letter for a documented vessel switching to state title, because a federally documented hull cannot also hold a state title.
- Power of attorney (Form HSMV 82053) if anyone signs on behalf of an owner, because counties reject unverified third-party signatures.
- Proof of Florida insurance for vehicles being registered the same day, because §324.022 requires PIP and PD coverage before a tag issues.
- Payment by cash, check, debit, or credit (most counties charge a 2.5% card surcharge), because fees and tax must be paid at the time of filing.
Missing any one of these forces the clerk to log the application as “incomplete,” and the file goes into a holding queue rather than the active processing line.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official, fillable PDF lives on the FLHSMV forms library and is also stocked at every county tax collector’s lobby and at licensed private tag agencies. Always pull the most current revision because the agency reissues HSMV 73020 every two to three years to update fee schedules, certification language, and barcodes.
You can download the form, type into it on a computer, print it, and ink-sign it. You may also pick up a paper copy at the counter and complete it by hand using black ink only, because blue and pencil entries scan poorly and trigger rework. Counties such as Miami-Dade, Pinellas, and Hillsborough now offer a kiosk where you can print a fresh copy and complete it on-site if you arrived without one.
A misconception filers carry is that the older revision works fine “because the boxes look the same.” It does not. If the agency updated certification wording (for example, the sales tax affidavit), an outdated form gets stamped REJECTED at intake.
The form is free to download. The cost only attaches when you file it.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form HSMV 73020 Line by Line
The form is organized into ten lettered sections, A through J. Complete them in order, top to bottom, because later sections reference data from earlier ones.
Section A: Owner / Applicant Information
Box 1 — Owner’s Full Legal Name
In plain English, this is the legal name that will print on the new Florida title. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Florida driver license, last name first, then first, then middle. Maria Elena Lopez writes Lopez, Maria Elena. If you use a P.O. Box for mail but live at a street address, the street address still goes here because Florida law ties title ownership to physical residence.
A common mistake is writing a nickname or married name that does not match the driver license. The consequence is a name-mismatch hold that requires a marriage certificate or court order before processing resumes. The misconception is that “the name on the bill of sale controls.” It does not. The name on the driver license controls.
Box 2 — Co-Owner’s Full Legal Name
This is the second person’s legal name if two people will jointly own the item. Enter the same last-first-middle order. Carlos Andres Ruiz writes Ruiz, Carlos Andres.
The nuance here is the conjunction. Choose AND, OR, or leave blank. AND requires both signatures to sell; OR lets either owner sell alone. A widely held misconception is that AND and OR are interchangeable. They are not. AND protects against unilateral sale, while OR is faster but riskier. The mistake of choosing OR for a divorcing couple has cost spouses entire boats. Mark the conjunction box clearly because the clerk will not guess.
Box 3 — Date of Birth
This is the primary owner’s birthdate in MM/DD/YYYY format. 03/14/1985. Use leading zeros for single-digit months and days. The DOB drives the annual registration renewal date for vessels under §328.72, so an error shifts your renewal cycle.
The common mistake is writing the date European-style (DD/MM/YYYY), which makes a March 4 birthday look like April 3. The misconception is that DOB does not matter because the title is for property, not for a person. It matters, because the renewal calendar locks to it.
Box 4 — Sex
Enter M, F, or X if your driver license shows X. The agency uses this only for identity matching against DAVID. The mistake of leaving it blank stalls the application at the verification step. The misconception is that this field is optional because it feels personal. It is required.
Box 5 — FL Driver License or FEID Number
Enter the Florida DL number in the format L123-456-78-901-0, or the federal employer ID number for a business owner in 12-3456789 format. Maria writes L120-345-85-074-0. If you are an out-of-state buyer titling in Florida, write your home-state DL number and circle the state code in Box 6. A missing DL number forces a manual identity check that adds three to five business days. A misconception is that a passport number can substitute. It cannot, except for non-resident aliens with a written exemption.
Box 6 — Residence Address
Enter the physical street address where you live, including apartment or unit number, city, county, state, and ZIP. Do not write a P.O. Box here. 4701 NW 27th Ave, Apt 3B, Miami, FL 33142, Miami-Dade County. The county controls your discretionary sales surtax under Florida DOR rules, so a wrong county costs real money. The mistake of using a P.O. Box voids the application because §328.48 requires a physical address. The misconception is that “I get my mail at a P.O. Box, so that’s my address.” Mail address goes in Box 7. Residence is here.
Box 7 — Mailing Address
Enter the address where the title and registration should be mailed. A P.O. Box is fine here. If it matches Box 6, write Same as above. P.O. Box 1421, Miami, FL 33112. The mistake of leaving this blank when it differs from residence sends your title to the wrong place, and a returned title costs $5.25 to reissue. The misconception is that “everything is electronic now.” Florida still mails paper titles by default unless you opt into the electronic title program.
Section B: Vehicle / Vessel Description
Box 8 — Year, Make, Body, Model
Enter the model year, the manufacturer, the body or hull style code, and the model name exactly as printed on the MCO or prior title. 2022 SEAR (Sea Ray) OB (open bow) SDX 250. Body codes are listed in Procedure TL-26 on the FLHSMV site. The mistake of paraphrasing the model (“Sea Ray boat”) triggers a data-entry rejection because the system needs the exact code. The misconception is that close enough is fine. Florida’s title database is a strict string match.
Box 9 — Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or Hull ID Number (HIN)
Enter the full 17-character VIN for vehicles or the 12-character HIN for vessels manufactured after 1972. VIN: 1HGCM82633A123456 or HIN: SERV1234L122. If the HIN is fewer than 12 characters or older than 1972, attach a pencil tracing on plain paper. The mistake of confusing O (oh) with 0 (zero) or I with 1 is the single most common rejection reason. The misconception is that the dealer’s invoice number can substitute. It cannot. Only the manufacturer’s stamped HIN/VIN works.
Box 10 — Color
Use the standard Florida color codes (BLU for blue, RED for red, WHI for white, BLK for black). BLU/WHI for a two-tone hull. The mistake of writing “navy” or “off-white” forces a clerk to pick a code, sometimes wrong. The misconception is that color does not matter for a boat. It matters because law enforcement uses the color in stolen-vessel lookups.
Box 11 — Length / Weight
For vessels, enter overall length in feet and inches. 22 ft 06 in. For motor vehicles, enter the gross vehicle weight from the MCO. Length controls the registration class and fee under §328.72, which jumps at the 16-foot, 26-foot, 40-foot, 65-foot, and 110-foot marks. The mistake of rounding 25 ft 11 in down to 25 ft saves nothing because the clerk re-measures from the MCO. The misconception is that you can list “trailerable length.” Always use overall length stem to stern.
Box 12 — Propulsion / Fuel / Use
Pick the propulsion code (OB outboard, IO inboard-outboard, IB inboard, SL sail, AX auxiliary), the fuel code (G gas, D diesel, E electric, O other), and the use code (PL pleasure, CF commercial fishing, CC commercial charter, LV livery rental, GV government). OB / G / PL. The mistake of picking PL on a charter boat is technically tax fraud because charter use unlocks a sales tax exemption you did not qualify for. The misconception is that use can be changed later without consequence. Changing from PL to LV later requires a corrected application and possibly back taxes.
Section C: Title-Brand and Odometer
Box 13 — Brand / Title Status
Mark NEW, USED, REBUILT, ASSEMBLED FROM PARTS, KIT CAR, REPLICA, FLOOD, or other brand if applicable. New means never previously titled. USED applies to any item with a prior title in any state. The mistake of marking NEW on a used out-of-state vehicle is title fraud and voids the application. The misconception is that a one-owner trade-in is “almost new.” It is USED.
Box 14 — Odometer Disclosure
For vehicles less than 20 model years old, enter the mileage at transfer and check ACTUAL, NOT ACTUAL, or EXCEEDS MECHANICAL LIMITS. 87,432 ACTUAL. Vessels and trailers skip this box. The mistake of leaving it blank on a 2010-or-newer car kills the application because federal Truth in Mileage rules require disclosure. The misconception is that “the seller already wrote the miles on the title, so I can skip this.” You still must restate it here.
Section D: Lienholder Information
Box 15 — Lienholder Name and Address
If you are financing, enter the lender’s exact legal name and physical address. Navy Federal Credit Union, 820 Follin Lane SE, Vienna, VA 22180. If the lender has a Florida ELT (Electronic Lien and Title) ID, write it. The mistake of writing a branch address instead of the lien-recording address sends the title to the wrong office and delays payoff for years. The misconception is that “no lien” can be left blank without marking. Mark NONE clearly to avoid clerk uncertainty.
Box 16 — Lienholder FEID and Date of Lien
Enter the lender’s federal employer ID number and the date the loan was signed in MM/DD/YYYY format. 54-1701700, 06/15/2024. The mistake of using the closing date instead of the signing date can shift priority among competing liens. The misconception is that a private-party loan does not need recording. It does, if you want priority over future creditors.
Section E: Sales Tax Certification
Box 17 — Purchase Price and Trade-In
Enter the gross purchase price, then the trade-in allowance, then the net taxable amount. Purchase $42,500 minus trade $8,000 equals taxable $34,500. Florida sales tax is 6% state plus the county discretionary surtax (capped at the first $5,000 for most items). The mistake of omitting the trade-in costs you 6% of the trade value. The misconception is that you can “write the price low” to save tax. Florida DOR audits sales below 75% of NADA value and assesses tax on the higher amount.
Box 18 — Sales Tax Already Paid
If you paid sales tax in another state, attach the receipt and enter the amount here. Florida credits dollar-for-dollar up to the Florida rate. Georgia receipt $1,725 credited against Florida $2,070 due, balance owed $345. The mistake of misplacing the out-of-state receipt costs you the entire credit. The misconception is that all states have reciprocity. They do not. Some, like Arkansas, have no boat sales tax to credit.
Section F: Application Type Checkboxes
Box 19 — Type of Application
Mark one or more: ORIGINAL (first Florida title), TRANSFER (existing FL title to new owner), CORRECTION (fix a typo), DUPLICATE (replace lost title via Form HSMV 87015 for vessels), or ADD/REMOVE LIEN. TRANSFER for a private used-boat sale. The mistake of marking ORIGINAL on a Florida-to-Florida transfer creates a duplicate title in the database. The misconception is that “any box that fits” can be marked. Only the precise type works.
Section G: Insurance Affidavit (Vehicles Only)
Box 20 — Insurance Company and Policy Number
For motor vehicles, enter your Florida auto insurer’s name, NAIC code, and policy number. GEICO, NAIC 35882, Policy 4127-65-21-09. Vessels skip this box. The mistake of using out-of-state insurance is rejection because §324.022 requires Florida-issued PIP and PD. The misconception is that a binder letter suffices. The system needs an active policy number.
Section H: Signatures
Box 21 — Applicant Signature(s)
Every owner listed in Section A must sign in ink in the presence of the clerk or a notary. Maria E. Lopez signs above the printed name line, then dates the signature 07/22/2026. The mistake of pre-signing at home without notarization for a mail-in application voids the form. The misconception is that one spouse can sign for both. They cannot, unless a Power of Attorney (Form HSMV 82053) is attached.
Box 22 — Co-Applicant Signature
Same rules apply. If two owners are listed and the conjunction is AND, both must sign. The mistake of skipping the second signature freezes the title indefinitely.
Section I: Dealer / Agent Section
Box 23 — Dealer License Number and Tax Collector Stamp
This box is filled by the dealer or the tax collector at filing. Private filers leave it blank. The mistake of writing in this box as a private buyer creates an unauthorized-dealer flag. The misconception is that a private seller is a “dealer” if they sold one boat. They are not.
Section J: HIN/VIN Verification
Box 24 — Inspection Officer Signature
A Florida law enforcement officer, a Florida notary, a licensed dealer, or a tax collector employee must physically inspect the HIN/VIN of any used out-of-state item and sign here. Officer Ramirez, Badge 4471, 07/22/2026. The mistake of skipping verification on an out-of-state used boat or car kills the application. The misconception is that the seller’s word is enough. It is not.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1 — Maria Lopez Buys a Used Powerboat from a Private Seller in Tampa
Maria pays $34,500 cash for a 2019 Sea Ray SDX 250 from a private seller and walks into the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s office.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 Owner Name | Lopez, Maria Elena |
| Box 5 FL DL | L120-345-85-074-0 |
| Box 6 Residence | 4701 NW 27th Ave, Tampa, FL 33614, Hillsborough |
| Box 8 Year/Make/Model | 2019 SEAR OB SDX 250 |
| Box 9 HIN | SERV2519H819 |
| Box 11 Length | 25 ft 03 in |
| Box 12 Propulsion/Fuel/Use | OB / G / PL |
| Box 13 Brand | USED |
| Box 17 Price/Tax | $34,500 taxable, 6% state + 1.5% Hillsborough surtax on first $5,000 |
| Box 19 Application Type | TRANSFER |
| Box 21 Signature | Maria E. Lopez 07/22/2026 |
Scenario 2 — Carlos Ruiz Moves to Florida from Georgia with His 2021 Toyota Tacoma
Carlos becomes a Florida resident and titles his Tacoma at the Duval County Tax Collector within 30 days.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 Owner Name | Ruiz, Carlos Andres |
| Box 5 FL DL | R200-456-90-123-0 |
| Box 6 Residence | 812 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204, Duval |
| Box 8 Year/Make/Model | 2021 TOYT 4D TACOMA SR5 |
| Box 9 VIN | 3TMCZ5AN6MM412345 |
| Box 14 Odometer | 38,210 ACTUAL |
| Box 17 Price/Tax | $32,000 paid in GA, $1,920 GA tax credited |
| Box 19 Application Type | ORIGINAL (out-of-state) |
| Box 20 Insurance | State Farm, NAIC 25143, Policy 091-1234-A22 |
| Box 21 Signature | Carlos A. Ruiz 08/05/2026 |
| Box 24 VIN Verification | Officer Hayes, JSO 7741, 08/05/2026 |
Scenario 3 — Janet Chen Finances a New Boat Through a Dealer in Fort Lauderdale
Janet buys a new 2026 Boston Whaler 280 Outrage with a $185,000 loan from Navy Federal.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 Owner Name | Chen, Janet Wei |
| Box 5 FL DL | C500-123-78-456-0 |
| Box 6 Residence | 2210 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, Broward |
| Box 8 Year/Make/Model | 2026 BOST CC 280 OUTRAGE |
| Box 9 HIN | BWCE2806A626 |
| Box 13 Brand | NEW |
| Box 15 Lienholder | Navy Federal CU, 820 Follin Ln SE, Vienna VA 22180 |
| Box 16 FEID/Lien Date | 54-1701700 / 11/12/2026 |
| Box 17 Price/Tax | $215,000 taxable, $18,000 tax cap under §212.05 |
| Box 19 Application Type | ORIGINAL with LIEN |
| Box 21 Signature | Janet W. Chen 11/12/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
You have four channels for filing Form HSMV 73020, and each has its own fee structure, processing time, and proof-of-filing receipt.
- In person at the county tax collector. Walk in to any of the 67 Florida tax collector offices with the form, all attachments, and payment. Title fee is $5.25 for an in-state title or $9.25 for an out-of-state title under §328.03(7)-(8), plus $2 lien recording, plus 6% state sales tax and county surtax. Cash, check, debit, and credit (with a typical 2.5% surcharge) are accepted. Processing is same-day for paper titles or 7 to 10 business days for mailed titles. Keep your stamped Form HSMV 83330 receipt as proof.
- At a private license plate agent. Authorized agents like Auto Tag Agency charge a service fee of $15 to $40 on top of state fees but often offer faster appointments. Same processing time, same fee structure to the state.
- Through a Florida dealer using EFS. Dealers electronically transmit Form HSMV 73020 data through the Electronic Filing System, and the buyer signs a paper copy at the dealership. Processing typically completes in 3 to 5 business days. Your proof of filing is the dealer’s printed EFS confirmation.
- By mail (limited). Some counties accept mail-in applications for transfers without a HIN/VIN inspection requirement. Mail to your county tax collector with a cashier’s check and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing runs 14 to 21 business days. Send certified mail and keep the green card as proof.
Online self-service filing of Form HSMV 73020 is not available for original titles, only for renewals through GoRenew. Plan for an in-person visit on first titling.
What Happens After You File
The county tax collector keys your application into Florida’s FRVIS database the same day, collects fees and tax, and issues a stamped receipt that doubles as a 90-day temporary registration. The paper title prints from Tallahassee and arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days for a clean transfer or 21 to 30 days when an out-of-state title verification is required.
If a lien is recorded, the title goes electronically to the lienholder under Florida’s ELT program, and you receive a memorandum copy. Pay off the loan, and the lender releases the lien within 10 business days, after which you can request the paper title.
A common misconception is that the 90-day temporary registration is endless. It is not. If your printed title has not arrived by day 80, call the tax collector to track it before the temporary expires.
If the application was rejected, the tax collector sends a deficiency notice listing the missing item. You typically have 60 days to cure the defect without re-paying fees.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Mixing letters and numbers in the HIN/VIN causes immediate rejection because the database does a strict character match.
- Using a P.O. Box in Box 6 voids the residence requirement under §328.48 and forces a re-file.
- Leaving the conjunction blank between two owners lets the clerk pick AND or OR, which may not match your intent.
- Skipping the odometer box on a 2010-or-newer vehicle violates federal Truth in Mileage law.
- Writing the wrong county in Box 6 misapplies the discretionary surtax and triggers a Department of Revenue audit.
- Marking NEW instead of USED on an item with any prior title is title fraud and voids the form.
- Forgetting the HIN/VIN inspection on an out-of-state used item kills the application at intake.
- Pre-signing at home without notarization invalidates a mail-in filing.
- Omitting the trade-in amount costs you 6% of the trade-in value in unnecessary tax.
- Filing after 30 days triggers the §328.03(4) $10 late penalty and exposes you to a second-degree misdemeanor.
- Using blue or pencil ink causes scanning errors and clerk rework.
- Listing a branch address for the lienholder delays payoff routing for months.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do print the latest revision of Form HSMV 73020 from the FLHSMV forms page on the day you file, because revisions change quietly.
- Do double-check every HIN/VIN character against the manufacturer’s plate, because one wrong digit kills the file.
- Do bring your driver license for every owner listed, because the clerk verifies identity in real time.
- Do compute your county surtax in advance using the Florida DOR surtax chart, because surprises at the counter slow the line.
- Do keep a photocopy of the completed form and all attachments, because the original is filed with the state.
- Do ask for the stamped receipt, because it serves as your 90-day temporary registration.
- Don’t sign before the clerk or a notary watches you, because unwitnessed signatures may be rejected.
- Don’t under-report the purchase price, because Florida DOR audits low sales against NADA values.
- Don’t confuse residence and mailing addresses, because the system treats them as separate fields.
- Don’t leave any required box blank, because NONE or N/A is always better than empty.
- Don’t wait past 30 days, because the late penalty stacks on top of every other fee.
- Don’t file an outdated revision of the form, because the agency rejects superseded versions.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing Pro Se | Using a Dealer or Tag Agency |
|---|---|
| Saves $15-$40 in service fees | Skips the line, often by appointment |
| Full control over data accuracy | Staff catches common errors before submission |
| Direct contact with the tax collector | EFS submission cuts processing to 3-5 days |
| Builds personal recordkeeping | Handles HIN/VIN inspection on-site |
| Works fine for clean private sales | Necessary for complex liens or out-of-state titles |
Filing pro se makes sense for simple Florida-to-Florida transfers where every document is in hand. Using a dealer or licensed tag agency makes sense when an out-of-state title, a lien, a trust, or a probate is involved, because their staff know which exhibits the clerk wants and submit electronically through EFS. The trade-off is a $15-$40 service fee versus hours of your time and the risk of a rejected first attempt.
FAQs
Is Form HSMV 73020 the same as HSMV 82040?
No. They are sister forms covering similar territory. HSMV 82040 is the dedicated vehicle/vessel title application most counties default to, while HSMV 73020 is the umbrella version covering vessels, vehicles, and mobile homes.
Do I need a notary to sign Form HSMV 73020?
No. Not if you sign at the tax collector’s counter in front of a clerk. Yes, if you mail the form in or sign at home, because then the signatures must be notarized.
Can I write a P.O. Box in Box 6?
No. Box 6 is residence and requires a physical street address. Use Box 7 for your mailing P.O. Box.
Do I list my maiden name or married name in Box 1?
Yes, use whichever name appears on your current Florida driver license. If you recently changed names, update the DL first to avoid a mismatch hold.
What conjunction should two owners pick in Box 2?
Yes, pick AND if both must agree to sell, or OR if either can sell alone. AND protects against unilateral sale; OR is faster but riskier.
Do I have to write the odometer for a 25-year-old car?
No. Federal Truth in Mileage rules exempt vehicles 20 model years and older. Leave Box 14 blank for a 2005 or earlier car in 2026.
Is sales tax due if I bought the boat from a family member?
Yes, unless the transfer qualifies as a true gift with no consideration, supported by an HSMV 82026 affidavit. Otherwise, 6% applies on fair market value.
How long do I have to file after buying a vessel?
Yes, you have 30 days under §328.03. After that, a $10 late fee applies and continued operation is a second-degree misdemeanor.
Can I file Form HSMV 73020 entirely online?
No. Original titles require an in-person visit or a dealer EFS submission. Only renewals can be done online through GoRenew.
What if my HIN is only 8 characters?
Yes, that is normal for vessels built before 1972. Attach a pencil tracing of the HIN on plain paper to the application, and the clerk will accept it.
Does the lienholder get the original title?
Yes, under Florida’s ELT system, the electronic title is held by the lender. You receive a memorandum copy and get the paper title only after the loan is paid.
What happens if I mark the wrong application type in Box 19?
No, it cannot be silently corrected. The tax collector rejects the form and asks you to resubmit a corrected version, sometimes with a new fee.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Florida Form HSMV 82054 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form HSMV 82058 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form HSMV 82087 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form HSMV 82119 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form HSMV 82152 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form HSMV 82223 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Delaware DMV Application for Duplicate Title (Form MV213) + FAQs