How to Fill Out Florida Form HSMV 82139 (w/Examples) + FAQs

Florida Form HSMV 82139 is the Notice of Sale and/or Bill of Sale for a Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home, Off-Highway Vehicle, or Vessel, and any seller in Florida files it with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) to officially report a transfer of ownership and shed liability. The form has a dual purpose: the top half serves as a Notice of Sale that protects the seller from future tickets, tolls, and civil claims, while the bottom half acts as a Bill of Sale that proves the buyer paid for the vehicle.

According to FLHSMV’s annual title and registration data, Florida processes more than 3 million private-party vehicle transfers each year, and the agency reports that sellers who fail to file a Notice of Sale within 30 days remain the registered owner of record and can be held liable under Florida Statute §319.22 for anything the buyer does with the car. Here is what this guide covers:

• 📝 How to fill out every box, line, and signature field on Form HSMV 82139 in plain English.
• 🚗 Three full named-person scenarios covering motor vehicles, vessels, and mobile homes.
• 📬 Every filing channel — in-person, mail, and the online MyDMV Portal — with addresses, fees, and processing times.
• ⚠️ The ten most common mistakes that get the form rejected or expose sellers to liability.
• ❓ Twelve plain-answer FAQs covering odometer rules, lien releases, co-owner signatures, and gift transfers.

What Form HSMV 82139 Is and Who Must File It

Form HSMV 82139 is Florida’s official combined Notice of Sale and Bill of Sale, published by FLHSMV under authority of Florida Statute §319.23. The current revision date is printed in the lower left corner of the form, and you should always download the latest version from the official FLHSMV forms library so a tax collector does not reject an outdated edition. The form covers four asset types: motor vehicles, mobile homes, off-highway vehicles, and vessels.

Anyone who sells, gifts, trades, or otherwise transfers ownership of a titled vehicle, mobile home, off-highway vehicle, or vessel in Florida must file this form. That includes private sellers, licensed dealers using it for short-form documentation, family members making gift transfers, and lienholders disposing of repossessed property. Both the seller and the buyer should sign the bill-of-sale section, but only the seller signs the Notice of Sale section that goes to FLHSMV.

The form solves three real problems at once. It tells the state that the seller no longer owns the vehicle, it creates a written purchase record the buyer needs to title and register, and it locks the sale price for sales-tax purposes at the county tax collector. Skipping it is the single most common reason Florida sellers get hit with toll bills, parking citations, and red-light tickets months after a sale.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Open the fillable PDF version of Form 82139 on a desktop or print a clean blank copy before you start. Gather every item below first because missing data is the leading cause of rejected Notices of Sale at Florida tax collector offices.

• Florida Certificate of Title — you need the title number, year, make, body type, and full Vehicle Identification Number (VIN); a missing VIN voids the form.
• Government-issued photo ID — Florida driver license, Florida ID card, or U.S. passport for the seller; the tax collector cross-checks the name against the title.
• Buyer’s full legal name and address — exactly as it appears on the buyer’s ID, because mismatches cause the buyer’s later title application to bounce back.
• Buyer’s Florida driver license or ID number — required for the Notice of Sale to update the FLHSMV ownership database.
• Date of sale — the actual day money or consideration changed hands, not the day you filled out the form.
• Sale price or fair market value — used by the county tax collector to compute 6% Florida sales tax under Florida Statute §212.05.
• Odometer reading — required for any motor vehicle under 20 model years old per the federal Truth in Mileage Act; use Form HSMV 82993 if the title has no odometer space.
• Lien release — if a lien still shows on the title, get a signed satisfaction or use Form HSMV 82260 before filing.
• Hull Identification Number (HIN) — for vessel sales, this 12-character code on the transom replaces the VIN.
• Co-owner signatures — if the title joins names with “AND,” every owner must sign; “OR” lets one owner sign alone.

If any item is missing, stop and resolve it first. A Notice of Sale filed without a buyer’s date of birth or driver license number, for example, will not transfer the FLHSMV record and the seller stays liable.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

Florida publishes Form HSMV 82139 on the FLHSMV resources and forms page as a fillable, savable PDF. You can also pick up free paper copies at any Florida county tax collector office or at a FLHSMV regional service center. Always confirm the revision date in the lower left corner because FLHSMV updates the form every few years and outdated versions are rejected on sight.

The fillable PDF works best in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Browser-based PDF viewers sometimes strip the data when you save, so download the file, fill it in Acrobat, and save a copy before printing. Two original signatures are required, so always print after typing — do not e-sign unless you submit through the MyDMV Portal Notice of Sale tool, which accepts a digital seller signature.

If you cannot access a printer, every Florida tax collector office stocks paper 82139 forms at the front counter. Some county sites, like the Hillsborough County Tax Collector forms page and the Miami-Dade Tax Collector forms library, mirror the FLHSMV PDF for direct download. Use only the version that prints “HSMV 82139” in the bottom corner — third-party “bill of sale” templates do not satisfy the Florida Notice of Sale requirement.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form HSMV 82139 Line by Line

Form HSMV 82139 is a single page divided into two halves. The top half is the Notice of Sale that the seller mails or uploads to FLHSMV. The bottom half is the Bill of Sale that the buyer keeps to title the vehicle. Every field below gets its own walkthrough.

Section 1: Vehicle/Vessel Description — Year

Write the four-digit model year of the vehicle, vessel, mobile home, or off-highway vehicle. Pull this number directly from the Florida Certificate of Title, not from the dashboard or registration sticker, because the title is the controlling record at FLHSMV.

For example, Maria Lopez is selling a 2018 Honda Civic, so she writes 2018 in the Year box. If the title shows a different year than the manufacturer’s plate, always defer to the title. The most common mistake is using the year the seller bought the car instead of the model year, which causes FLHSMV to reject the Notice because the year and VIN no longer match. A frequent misconception is that the “year” means the year of registration — it does not; it always means the manufacturing model year.

Section 2: Make

Enter the manufacturer’s name exactly as printed on the title, abbreviated the same way (e.g., HOND for Honda, CHEV for Chevrolet, YAMA for Yamaha). FLHSMV uses standardized three- and four-letter make codes, and matching the title prevents the system from flagging a mismatch.

For example, Carlos Ramirez writes FORD for his 2015 Ford F-150 because the title shows FORD, not Ford Motor Company. If the title shows an abbreviation you do not recognize, copy it letter for letter. The common mistake is spelling out “Toyota Motor Corporation” when the title shows TOYT; this triggers a manual review that delays the Notice by weeks. People often think they should write the model name (like “F-150”) here — that goes in a separate field, not the make field.

Section 3: Body Type

Write the body-type code from the title — common codes include 4D for four-door sedan, 2D for two-door coupe, PK for pickup, UT for utility/SUV, and MC for motorcycle. Vessels use codes like OB for outboard or IO for inboard/outboard.

For example, Janet Williams writes UT for her 2020 Toyota RAV4 because the title shows UT. If you cannot read the body code on a worn title, call the tax collector and ask before guessing. Guessing the body type is a frequent mistake that mismatches the title record and stalls the buyer’s later registration. A misconception is that “body type” means color or trim level — it does not; it is a strict FLHSMV body classification.

Section 4: Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or Hull Identification Number (HIN)

Copy the full 17-character VIN for a motor vehicle or the 12-character HIN for a vessel. Print every character clearly, distinguishing the number 0 from the letter O and the number 1 from the letter I.

For example, Maria Lopez writes 2HGFC2F59JH123456 for her Civic. For a vessel, David Chen writes YAM12345J718 on the transom. The VIN must match the title character-for-character; one wrong digit voids the Notice and the seller remains the legal owner. Common mistake: skipping a character or transposing two digits. Misconception: that the VIN on the dashboard plate always matches the title — sometimes a vehicle has been re-VINed after theft recovery, and only the title VIN counts.

Section 5: Title Number

Enter the Florida title number printed at the top of the Certificate of Title, usually an eight- or nine-digit number. If the title is from another state, write the foreign state’s title number and note the state in the margin.

For example, Carlos Ramirez writes 0123456789 from his Florida title. If the title is missing, request a duplicate using Form HSMV 82101 before completing the Notice of Sale. The most common mistake is leaving this box blank because the seller cannot find the title — that delays the Notice and forces a duplicate-title detour. People often confuse the title number with the registration number; the registration number changes yearly, but the title number does not.

Section 6: Selling Price

Write the actual sale price in dollars and cents, even if the buyer paid in cash. For a gift, write GIFT and complete a separate Affidavit of Gift if the recipient is exempt from sales tax under Florida Statute §212.08.

For example, Maria Lopez writes $8,500.00 because that is what her buyer paid. Carlos Ramirez writes GIFT because he is gifting his truck to his daughter. Common mistake: under-reporting the sale price to lower the buyer’s 6% sales tax — the tax collector compares the price to NADA values and will reassess if the entry seems abnormally low. Misconception: that “trade-in value” can be subtracted on a private sale; trade-in credit applies only to dealer transactions under Florida law.

Section 7: Date of Sale

Enter the date money or consideration changed hands in MM/DD/YYYY format. This is not the date you filled out the form and not the date you mailed it.

For example, Janet Williams writes 03/14/2026 because that is when the buyer paid her. The date of sale starts the 30-day clock under §319.23 for the buyer to title the vehicle, so an inaccurate date can wrongly trigger late-transfer fees of up to $20 plus a $225 initial-registration fee where applicable. Common mistake: backdating the form. Misconception: that the seller can write the date of the test drive — only the date of payment counts.

Section 8: Seller’s Printed Name and Address

Print the seller’s full legal name exactly as it appears on the title, plus the seller’s current physical address. If the title lists two owners, both must print and sign if joined by “AND.”

For example, Maria Lopez prints MARIA E LOPEZ and her current Tampa address. If the seller has moved since titling, write the current address and update the FLHSMV record using Form HSMV 82040. Common mistake: using a nickname like “Mary” instead of the legal Maria. Misconception: that a P.O. Box is acceptable — FLHSMV requires a physical address for the Notice of Sale, although a P.O. Box can be added as a mailing address.

Section 9: Seller’s Driver License or ID Number

Write the Florida driver license number, Florida ID number, or, for non-residents, the home-state license number with the state abbreviation. This number lets FLHSMV match the Notice to the correct titled-owner record.

For example, Carlos Ramirez writes R263-456-78-901-0. If the seller is a business entity, write the Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) instead. Common mistake: writing the license expiration date instead of the license number. Misconception: that a passport number works — only a driver license, state ID, or FEIN is accepted.

Section 10: Seller’s Signature

Sign in ink. Two co-owners joined by “AND” must both sign; co-owners joined by “OR” need only one signature. Do not pre-sign and let the buyer fill in details later.

For example, Maria Lopez signs in blue or black ink directly on the printed form. The signature is a sworn statement under Florida Statute §319.23(6), so a forged or proxy signature is a third-degree felony. Common mistake: signing across the wrong line. Misconception: that an electronic signature is acceptable on a paper-filed Notice — only the MyDMV Portal accepts e-signatures.

Section 11: Purchaser’s Printed Name, Address, and Date of Birth

Print the buyer’s full legal name, current physical address, and date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format. The date of birth is mandatory for the FLHSMV record update.

For example, Maria Lopez’s buyer, Aisha Patel, prints AISHA R PATEL, her Orlando address, and 07/22/1990. If the buyer is a minor, an adult co-owner must also be listed. Common mistake: leaving the date of birth blank because the seller does not want to ask — without it, FLHSMV cannot update the record. Misconception: that the buyer’s address will be where the title is mailed; the title is mailed to the address the buyer lists on Form HSMV 82040, which may differ.

Section 12: Purchaser’s Driver License or ID Number

Enter the buyer’s Florida or out-of-state license number. For business buyers, enter the FEIN.

For example, Aisha Patel writes P135-789-90-123-0. If the buyer is from another state, the state abbreviation must precede the number. Common mistake: copying the driver license class instead of the number. Misconception: that the buyer can use a Social Security Number — FLHSMV does not accept SSNs in this field for privacy reasons.

Section 13: Purchaser’s Signature

The buyer signs the Bill of Sale half in ink to confirm the purchase. Both buyer and seller signatures are required for the document to function as a legal Bill of Sale.

For example, Aisha Patel signs to acknowledge she paid $8,500.00. The signature is what gives the buyer standing to file for the title within 30 days. Common mistake: the buyer forgets to sign because the seller already mailed the Notice half. Misconception: that the buyer’s signature is optional — without it, the document is only a Notice of Sale and not a usable Bill of Sale at the tax collector.

Section 14: Odometer Disclosure (Motor Vehicles Only)

For motor vehicles less than 20 model years old, enter the odometer reading in whole miles and check whether the reading reflects ACTUAL MILEAGE, EXCEEDS MECHANICAL LIMITS, or is NOT THE ACTUAL MILEAGE. Federal 49 C.F.R. §580 controls this disclosure.

For example, Maria Lopez enters 87,432 and checks ACTUAL MILEAGE. If the title has no space for odometer disclosure, attach Form HSMV 82993. Common mistake: rounding to the nearest thousand — odometer readings must be exact. Misconception: that odometer disclosure is optional on a private sale; it is federally mandated and a false statement can carry up to $10,000 in civil penalties under federal law.

Section 15: Notary or Witness Block (When Required)

Florida does not require notarization for HSMV 82139, but two witnesses are recommended for high-value transactions and required if the title itself was notarized in another state. The block is at the bottom of the form.

For example, David Chen sells a vessel for $42,000 and uses two witnesses, Linda Park and Robert Kim, to add evidentiary weight in case the buyer later disputes the sale. Common mistake: assuming notarization is required and paying a notary fee unnecessarily. Misconception: that witness signatures replace the seller’s signature — they only corroborate it.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Below are three full walkthroughs of named Florida filers using Form HSMV 82139 from start to finish. Each table has exactly two columns and follows one filer through the major sections of the form.

Scenario 1: Maria Lopez Sells a 2018 Honda Civic to a Neighbor

Form Section	What Maria Enters
Year	2018
Make	HOND
Body Type	4D
VIN	2HGFC2F59JH123456
Title Number	0123456789
Selling Price	$8,500.00
Date of Sale	03/14/2026
Seller Info	MARIA E LOPEZ, Tampa address, FL DL L526-123-45-678-0
Purchaser Info	AISHA R PATEL, Orlando address, DOB 07/22/1990
Odometer	87,432 — ACTUAL MILEAGE
Signatures	Maria signs the Notice; Aisha signs the Bill of Sale

Scenario 2: Carlos Ramirez Gifts a 2015 Ford F-150 to His Daughter

Form Section	What Carlos Enters
Year	2015
Make	FORD
Body Type	PK
VIN	1FTEW1EP5FFA12345
Title Number	0987654321
Selling Price	GIFT
Date of Sale	04/02/2026
Seller Info	CARLOS J RAMIREZ, Miami address, FL DL R263-456-78-901-0
Purchaser Info	SOFIA M RAMIREZ, Miami address, DOB 11/03/2002
Odometer	112,005 — ACTUAL MILEAGE
Attachments	Affidavit of Gift HSMV 82041

Scenario 3: David Chen Sells a 2010 Yamaha Vessel for $42,000

Form Section	What David Enters
Year	2010
Make	YAMA
Body Type	OB (outboard)
HIN	YAMA1234J910
Title Number	FL5552223
Selling Price	$42,000.00
Date of Sale	05/10/2026
Seller Info	DAVID K CHEN, Fort Lauderdale address, FL DL C523-789-01-234-0
Purchaser Info	ROBERT KIM, Naples address, DOB 02/14/1978
Odometer	N/A (vessel)
Witnesses	Linda Park and a second witness sign the bottom block

How to File the Completed Form

Florida gives sellers three filing channels for Form HSMV 82139, and the filing deadline is 30 days from the date of sale under Florida Statute §319.23. Pick the channel that matches your speed and proof needs.

Online via the MyDMV Portal. Submit the Notice of Sale through the MyDMV Portal Notice of Sale tool. The portal accepts a digital seller signature, charges no fee, and updates the FLHSMV record within 24 to 48 hours. Save the on-screen confirmation page as your proof of filing.

By mail. Mail the completed and signed form to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Records, Neil Kirkman Building, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS 72, Tallahassee, FL 32399. There is no fee for mailing the Notice of Sale, and processing takes 10 to 14 business days. Send it certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof that FLHSMV received it.

In person. Walk the form into any Florida county tax collector office or FLHSMV regional service center. Most counties accept cash, check, debit, or credit; the Notice of Sale itself is free, but if you also bring the buyer to title and register, the buyer pays a $77.25 title fee plus 6% sales tax. Ask the clerk to stamp a copy of the form as your proof of filing.

What Happens After You File

Once FLHSMV receives the Notice of Sale, the agency flags the title record as “sold” and stops mailing renewal notices to the seller. The buyer still owns the obligation to apply for a new Florida title within 30 days under §319.23, or the buyer faces late fees of $20 after 30 days and additional initial-registration fees where applicable.

The seller’s name remains on the title until the buyer completes the transfer, but the Notice of Sale shifts liability for tickets, tolls, and civil claims off the seller from the date of sale forward. Keep your stamped copy or MyDMV confirmation for at least four years; that is the typical statute of limitations for tort claims involving motor vehicles in Florida under Florida Statute §95.11.

If the buyer never completes the title transfer, FLHSMV will still show the Notice of Sale on file, which is your shield against later-issued tickets. You can also request the new owner’s contact information from FLHSMV using Form HSMV 90510 under the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act if a problem arises.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

Form HSMV 82139 is short, but each field has a trap. Below are the ten most common mistakes Florida sellers make.

• Skipping the Notice of Sale entirely. The seller stays liable for tolls, tickets, and accidents until the buyer titles the car, sometimes for years.
• Wrong VIN by one character. FLHSMV cannot match the Notice to the title and the record never updates.
• Backdating the date of sale. Triggers late-transfer penalties and can constitute fraud under §319.23(6).
• Using a nickname instead of the legal name. The Notice gets kicked back because the name does not match the title.
• Leaving the buyer’s date of birth blank. FLHSMV will not update the record without it.
• Missing odometer disclosure. Violates federal 49 C.F.R. §580 and exposes the seller to a $10,000 civil penalty.
• Only one signature when title says “AND.” The transfer is void until every co-owner signs.
• Reporting “$1” or far-below-market price. Tax collectors reassess sales tax to NADA value and may flag fraud.
• Forgetting to release the lien. A lien on title blocks the buyer’s title application and the sale never finalizes.
• Using an outdated form revision. Tax collectors reject prior versions, costing the seller a second trip.

Do’s and Don’ts

• Do download the latest revision from the FLHSMV forms page so the version date matches the agency’s current intake system.
• Do file the Notice within 24 hours of the sale because every day after creates more liability exposure.
• Do keep a stamped or electronically confirmed copy for at least four years to match the Florida tort statute of limitations.
• Do insist the buyer sign the Bill of Sale half in front of you so the document is legally complete.
• Do verify the buyer’s photo ID against the printed name to avoid identity fraud.
• Do use blue or black ink because FLHSMV scanners reject other colors.
• Don’t sign a blank form — buyers can fill in any price or date later.
• Don’t rely on a handwritten “bill of sale” napkin instead of HSMV 82139, since tax collectors will reject it.
• Don’t under-report the sale price; the buyer will be reassessed and may sue you for the difference.
• Don’t hand over the title before the Notice of Sale is filed if the buyer is paying over time.
• Don’t assume notarization is required — Florida does not require it for HSMV 82139.
• Don’t discard the buyer’s contact information after filing; you may need it if a ticket arrives.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Most Florida sellers file Form HSMV 82139 themselves. Some use a title service or attorney, especially for vessels, mobile homes, or interstate sales.

Pros of filing yourself:

• Free — no service fee on top of the $0 Notice of Sale cost.
• Fast — the MyDMV Portal updates the record in 24 to 48 hours.
• Simple — most private-party sales involve only one page.
• Direct proof — you control the certified-mail receipt or portal confirmation.
• Privacy — you do not share buyer information with a third party.

Cons of filing yourself:

• Easy to miss a field, especially the odometer and DOB.
• No professional check on the lien-release status.
• You alone bear the risk of a rejected form and a second trip.
• Co-owner signature rules (“AND” vs. “OR”) trip up many sellers.
• For vessels and mobile homes, title rules are stricter and a title service can prevent costly errors.

FAQs

Is notarization required on Florida Form HSMV 82139?

No. Florida does not require notarization for the Notice of Sale or Bill of Sale section, although two witness signatures at the bottom block are encouraged for high-value or out-of-state transactions.

Can I e-sign Form HSMV 82139?

Yes. Electronic signatures are accepted only when you submit through the MyDMV Portal Notice of Sale tool; paper-filed forms must be wet-signed in blue or black ink.

Do I write the buyer’s maiden name or married name in Section 11?

No. Always write the buyer’s current legal name as it appears on her current Florida driver license or state ID, not a former name.

What if the title says “John AND Mary” — does only John need to sign?

No. When the title joins owners with “AND,” every named owner must sign in Section 10; if joined by “OR,” any one owner may sign alone.

What do I write in the selling-price field for a gift?

Yes, write GIFT. Pair the entry with Form HSMV 82041 so the recipient can claim the family-member sales-tax exemption.

Do I need to disclose the odometer for a 25-year-old car?

No. Federal 49 C.F.R. §580 exempts vehicles 20 model years and older from odometer disclosure, but you can still complete it voluntarily.

How long do I have to file the Notice of Sale after selling?

Yes, file as soon as possible. Florida law expects filing within 30 days, and every day past the sale date keeps your liability open for tolls, tickets, and crashes.

Can I file Form HSMV 82139 if the title still has a lien on it?

No. The lien must be released first using Form HSMV 82260 or a lender-issued lien satisfaction letter, otherwise the buyer cannot title the vehicle.

Do I write the registration number or the title number in Section 5?

No, the title number, not the registration number. The title number stays the same for the life of the title; the registration number changes annually.

What if my buyer is from another state?

Yes, you may still complete HSMV 82139. Write the out-of-state license number with the state abbreviation, and the buyer titles the vehicle in their home state using your signed form as proof of purchase.

Is the $77.25 title fee paid when I file the Notice of Sale?

No. The Notice of Sale itself is free; the buyer pays the $77.25 title fee plus 6% sales tax when applying for the new title within 30 days.

Do I list a P.O. Box or a physical address in Section 8?

No, list a physical street address in Section 8. A P.O. Box may be added as a mailing address, but FLHSMV needs a physical address to verify residency on the title record.