Florida Form HSMV 82179 is the Notice of Sale and/or Bill of Sale for a Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home, Off-Highway Vehicle or Vessel that a Florida seller files with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) to transfer ownership and remove the seller’s name from active title records. Every private seller, licensed dealer, lienholder, or estate representative who sells or otherwise transfers a titled vehicle in Florida should complete this form to lock in the date of sale, capture the buyer’s information, and trigger the state’s release of liability.
The stakes are real. Florida processes more than 1.5 million title transfers each year, and the FLHSMV title office reports that paperwork errors trigger rejection on roughly one in seven walk-in title transfers. Get the 82179 wrong, and the seller can stay legally tied to a car they no longer own — including for tolls, parking tickets, and crashes.
- 📝 How to fill out every line, box, and signature block on Form 82179 the right way
- 🚗 Three real filled-out scenarios for private sellers, dealers, and estate transfers
- ⏱️ The 30-day filing window and what happens if you miss it
- 💵 Fees, payment methods, and proof-of-filing for every channel
- ⚠️ The 10 most common 82179 mistakes and the exact penalties they trigger
What Form HSMV 82179 Is and Who Must File It
Form HSMV 82179 is Florida’s official Notice of Sale and/or Bill of Sale. It serves two jobs in one document. The top half (the Notice of Sale) tells the state that a transfer happened. The bottom half (the Bill of Sale) records the financial terms between the seller and the buyer.
The form is published and maintained by the FLHSMV Division of Motorist Services. It is authorized under Florida Statute § 319.22, which governs the transfer of motor vehicle ownership, and Florida Statute § 319.23, which sets the timeline for filing. Always check the revision date in the lower-left corner of the PDF (the version commonly in use is rev. 11/21) to confirm you have the current form.
Anyone who sells, gifts, trades, or otherwise transfers a titled vehicle, mobile home, off-highway vehicle, or vessel in Florida should file this form. That includes private owners, licensed dealers using the Electronic Filing System (EFS), executors handling estates, and businesses retiring fleet vehicles. The buyer also signs the form, but the legal duty to file the Notice of Sale sits squarely on the seller.
The form solves one big problem: a Florida title is not officially transferred until the buyer applies for a new title in their name. Until then, the seller’s name remains on the registration. Filing the 82179 inside 30 days of the sale flips a switch in the FLHSMV database that releases the seller from civil liability for the vehicle going forward.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather your paperwork before you open the form. A missing piece of information is the single most common reason a county tax collector kicks the form back. The 82179 is short, but every line connects to a separate document.
Here is the pre-filing checklist. Each item matters for a specific reason.
- The current Florida Certificate of Title. You need the title number (it appears in the top-right corner) to fill in Box 1. Without it, the tax collector cannot match the vehicle in the FLVS database.
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). A 17-character VIN goes in Box 2. A single transposed digit will reject the form because the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System cross-checks it.
- Year, make, and body type of the vehicle. These appear on your title and registration. Mismatches between the title and the 82179 cause holds.
- Current odometer reading. Federal Truth in Mileage Act rules require this for any vehicle under 20 model years old.
- Buyer’s full legal name, address, and date of birth. Pull this directly from the buyer’s driver license. A nickname or middle initial mismatch is grounds for rejection.
- Seller’s full legal name and address. This must match the name printed on the title.
- Sale price (or “gift” if no money changes hands). This drives Florida’s 6% sales tax plus county discretionary surtax.
- Date of sale. This starts the 30-day filing clock under § 319.23(6).
- Lienholder release (if applicable). If a bank held a lien, you need a satisfaction of lien before you can transfer.
- Both parties’ photo IDs. Counties require a Florida driver license, Florida ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID at submission.
If any item is missing, stop and find it before you write on the form. Pencil drafts on the official PDF turn into ink mistakes that the state will not accept whited-out.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official 82179 lives on the FLHSMV Forms library. Always download from this page so you get the current revision. Third-party sites often host outdated versions that the tax collector will reject on sight.
You have three reliable ways to get a clean copy. First, download the fillable PDF from the FLHSMV form page. Second, walk into any Florida county tax collector’s office and ask for a paper copy at the counter. Third, ask your licensed dealer or notary to pull it from their FLHSMV-approved software, which always carries the current revision.
If you complete the form digitally, lock the PDF before printing. Browser-based form fills sometimes drop characters when you save. Open the saved file once before you print to confirm every box still shows what you typed.
Print the final version on plain white 8.5” × 11” paper, single-sided, in black ink only. The FLHSMV scan system reads black ink most reliably and rejects double-sided submissions.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form HSMV 82179 Line by Line
The 82179 has two main parts. Part 1 is the Notice of Sale across the top of the page. Part 2 is the Bill of Sale across the bottom. Every field below appears in the order printed on the official form.
Section 1 — Vehicle, Mobile Home, Off-Highway Vehicle, or Vessel Description
What the field asks in plain English. This top section asks you to identify the exact piece of property changing hands. It captures the year, make, body type, title number, and VIN.
How to answer it. Copy the year, make, and body type directly from the Florida Certificate of Title, not from your registration card or insurance policy. Use uppercase block letters. The VIN must contain exactly 17 characters for vehicles built after 1981.
A specific example answer. Maria Lopez is selling her 2018 Honda Civic sedan. She writes 2018 under Year, HONDA under Make, 4D under Body, 0123456789 under Title Number, and 2HGFC2F69JH123456 under VIN.
A nuance or edge case. Older vehicles (pre-1981) often have shorter VINs. Write the VIN exactly as it appears on the title, even if it is only 11 or 13 characters. Do not pad it with zeros.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers confuse the letter O with the digit 0 in the VIN. A single mismatch causes the NMVTIS lookup to fail, and the tax collector will return the form unprocessed.
A misconception people hold about this field. Many filers think the VIN on their dashboard is “good enough.” It is not. Always copy from the title because dashboard plates have been replaced or altered.
Section 2 — Seller(s) Name and Address
What the field asks in plain English. This block identifies you, the person giving up ownership, and where the state can reach you for follow-up.
How to answer it. Print your full legal name as it appears on the title. List your current Florida residence address. Co-owners listed on the title with the word AND must both sign; co-owners listed with OR may sign individually.
A specific example answer. Maria E. Lopez, 4421 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33134. Her co-owner husband signs only if the title says Maria E. Lopez AND Carlos R. Lopez.
A nuance or edge case. If you have moved since the title was issued, list your current address, not the address printed on the title. The state uses the new address for the release-of-liability confirmation letter.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Sellers list a P.O. Box. The FLHSMV mailing rules require a physical residence address for verification. A P.O. Box-only entry will trigger a hold.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think their old address is fine “because the state already has it.” The 82179 is also a sworn statement of current address, and a stale address can void the release of liability.
Section 3 — Purchaser(s) Name and Address
What the field asks in plain English. This block tells the state who is taking over the vehicle.
How to answer it. Use the buyer’s full legal name exactly as printed on their unexpired photo ID. List the address where they will register the vehicle.
A specific example answer. David W. Chen, 1750 N. Bayshore Drive, Apt. 4108, Miami, FL 33132.
A nuance or edge case. If two buyers are taking joint ownership, write both names with AND between them if both must sign future transfers, or OR if either can act alone.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. The seller writes the buyer’s nickname or short form (e.g., Dave Chen instead of David W. Chen). Florida § 319.22 requires the legal name, and a nickname will reject the buyer’s title application.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers believe they can use a business “doing business as” name without listing the legal entity. The state requires the entity’s full legal name plus the FEIN if the buyer is a business.
Section 4 — Selling Price
What the field asks in plain English. This is the dollar amount the buyer paid for the vehicle.
How to answer it. Enter the full purchase price in U.S. dollars. If the vehicle is a gift, write GIFT and complete a separate Form HSMV 82040 Application for Title with the gift box checked.
A specific example answer. $14,500.00. Maria writes the figure in numerals, not words.
A nuance or edge case. If the buyer trades in another vehicle, list the cash difference plus a description of the trade-in vehicle. The trade-in does not reduce sales tax for private sales — only for licensed dealer sales under Florida Department of Revenue rules.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Sellers under-report the price to help the buyer avoid sales tax. This is tax fraud under § 320.02(15) and is punishable as a misdemeanor of the second degree.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think a $1 sale price is a clever workaround. The Florida Department of Revenue presumes fair-market value for any sale priced 25% below the NADA value and will assess sales tax on the higher figure.
Section 5 — Date of Sale
What the field asks in plain English. The exact day the buyer paid you and took the keys.
How to answer it. Write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format. Use the date money and the title actually changed hands, not the date you signed the form.
A specific example answer. 03/14/2026.
A nuance or edge case. If you signed paperwork on one day but the buyer paid the next day, use the payment date. Florida considers the sale complete when consideration is delivered.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers backdate the sale to dodge tag fees. Backdating triggers the § 319.40 penalty for false statements on a title document.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think the date of sale and the date the buyer registers the vehicle are the same. They are not. The buyer has 30 days from the date of sale to register; the date in Box 5 starts that clock.
Section 6 — Odometer Disclosure
What the field asks in plain English. This certifies how many miles are on the vehicle at the moment of sale.
How to answer it. Read the dashboard odometer immediately before handing over the keys. Enter the whole number with no tenths. Check the box that matches the reading: Actual Mileage, Exceeds Mechanical Limits, or Not Actual — Warning Odometer Discrepancy.
A specific example answer. 68,412 miles with the Actual Mileage box checked.
A nuance or edge case. Vehicles 20 model years old or older are exempt from federal odometer disclosure under 49 CFR § 580.17. Florida still asks for the reading, but the exemption protects you from federal liability.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. Filers round up to the nearest thousand. The Truth in Mileage Act requires the exact reading, and rounding can be charged as odometer fraud under § 319.35, a third-degree felony.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers believe leaving the box blank “splits the difference.” A blank odometer block voids the entire 82179 because federal law requires a checked box.
Section 7 — Seller Signature and Date
What the field asks in plain English. This is the seller’s sworn signature certifying every word above is true.
How to answer it. Sign in blue or black ink. Print your name underneath the signature. Add the date of signing in MM/DD/YYYY.
A specific example answer. Maria E. Lopez, signed in blue ink, with the printed name MARIA E. LOPEZ below and date 03/14/2026.
A nuance or edge case. If the seller is signing under a power of attorney, attach a copy of the POA (Form HSMV 82053) and sign as Maria E. Lopez by Carlos Lopez, Attorney-in-Fact.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. One co-owner signs when the title reads AND. The buyer cannot complete title transfer because § 319.22(2) requires every joint owner’s signature.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think a digital or stamped signature is fine. The 82179 demands a wet-ink signature unless the form is processed through an FLHSMV-approved e-title system.
Section 8 — Purchaser Signature and Date
What the field asks in plain English. The buyer’s signature confirming they accepted the vehicle on the date listed.
How to answer it. The buyer signs in blue or black ink, prints their name, and dates the form on the same day as the seller.
A specific example answer. David W. Chen, signed in blue ink, dated 03/14/2026.
A nuance or edge case. If two buyers take title with AND, both must sign. With OR, either signature suffices, but the absent buyer cannot later claim sole ownership without an updated form.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. The buyer signs but forgets to date. The tax collector will not accept an undated signature because the date proves the federal odometer disclosure happened simultaneously with the transfer.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think the buyer can sign later “when they get to the DMV.” Federal odometer rules require the buyer’s signature at the moment of transfer, not days later.
Section 9 — Notary Acknowledgment (Optional but Recommended)
What the field asks in plain English. A Florida notary witnesses both signatures and seals the form.
How to answer it. Sign in front of the notary. The notary writes the date, prints their name, signs, and applies the embossed or inked seal.
A specific example answer. Notary public Janet S. Howard, commission number GG 998877, expiring 07/12/2027, with the seal pressed in the box.
A nuance or edge case. Notarization is not required for the 82179 itself, but it is mandatory for the underlying Florida Certificate of Title transfer when the title was issued before July 1, 1990.
A common mistake on this field and its direct consequence. A notary stamps the form but the seal cuts off the signature lines. The form is rejected because the Florida notary law § 117.05 requires a clear, legible seal.
A misconception people hold about this field. Filers think any notary will do. Only a Florida-commissioned notary (or an out-of-state notary acting under reciprocity) can lawfully notarize a Florida title document.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three of the most common 82179 fact patterns. Each one tracks a named filer through every key block.
Scenario 1: Private Sale Between Two Florida Residents
Maria Lopez sells her 2018 Honda Civic to David Chen for $14,500 cash on March 14, 2026.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Year / Make / Body | 2018 / HONDA / 4D |
| Title Number | 0123456789 |
| VIN | 2HGFC2F69JH123456 |
| Seller Name and Address | Maria E. Lopez, 4421 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33134 |
| Purchaser Name and Address | David W. Chen, 1750 N. Bayshore Drive, Apt. 4108, Miami, FL 33132 |
| Selling Price | $14,500.00 |
| Date of Sale | 03/14/2026 |
| Odometer Reading | 68,412 — Actual Mileage |
| Seller Signature | Maria E. Lopez, 03/14/2026 |
| Purchaser Signature | David W. Chen, 03/14/2026 |
Scenario 2: Licensed Dealer Retail Sale Through EFS
Aisha Patel runs Sunrise Auto Sales in Tampa. She sells a 2022 Toyota RAV4 to Marcus Reed for $28,900 on April 2, 2026, and submits the 82179 through the FLHSMV Electronic Filing System.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Year / Make / Body | 2022 / TOYO / SW |
| Title Number | 9988776655 |
| VIN | 2T3P1RFV9NW234567 |
| Seller Name and Address | Sunrise Auto Sales LLC, 5500 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, FL 33614 |
| Dealer License Number | VI/1023456/1 |
| Purchaser Name and Address | Marcus T. Reed, 812 E. Henderson Ave., Tampa, FL 33602 |
| Selling Price | $28,900.00 |
| Date of Sale | 04/02/2026 |
| Odometer Reading | 18,204 — Actual Mileage |
| Submission Channel | EFS, confirmation # EFS-26-104772 |
Scenario 3: Estate Transfer After Owner’s Death
Janet Williams is the personal representative of her late father’s estate. She transfers his 2015 Ford F-150 to her brother Thomas as part of the probate distribution on May 9, 2026, supported by Form HSMV 82152 and short-form letters of administration.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Year / Make / Body | 2015 / FORD / PK |
| Title Number | 5544332211 |
| VIN | 1FTEW1EF8FFA12345 |
| Seller Name and Address | Estate of Robert L. Williams, c/o Janet Williams, PR, 220 Magnolia Ave., Orlando, FL 32801 |
| Purchaser Name and Address | Thomas A. Williams, 4509 Curry Ford Rd., Orlando, FL 32812 |
| Selling Price | GIFT — estate distribution |
| Date of Sale | 05/09/2026 |
| Odometer Reading | 94,650 — Actual Mileage |
| Seller Signature | Janet Williams, Personal Representative, 05/09/2026 |
| Attached Documents | Letters of Administration; Form 82152; Death Certificate |
How to File the Completed Form
Florida gives you four channels for filing the 82179. Pick the one that matches your situation, and keep your proof-of-filing for at least three years.
Online through GoRenew. Private sellers can submit the Notice of Sale half of the form at GoRenew Notice of Sale portal. The submission is free, takes about five minutes, and produces an instant confirmation email. The state recommends this channel because the database update is immediate.
In person at a county tax collector’s office. Walk into any Florida county tax collector branch with the completed 82179, the original signed title, and photo ID. The standard title transfer fee is $75.25 for an electronic title or $77.75 for a paper title, plus a $2.50 service fee. Counties accept cash, check, money order, and most major credit cards (a 2.5%–2.75% convenience fee usually applies). You walk out with a stamped receipt.
By mail to the county tax collector. Mail the completed form, the original title, copies of both parties’ IDs, and a check or money order made out to the county tax collector. Use certified mail with return receipt. Processing takes 10–15 business days. Save the green return-receipt card as your proof-of-filing.
Through an FLHSMV-approved dealer or private tag agency. Licensed dealers file via EFS, which prints an electronic confirmation. Private tag agencies (common in Miami-Dade and Broward) charge a service fee on top of the state fee — usually $25–$75 — but they often process same-day.
Whichever channel you use, the Florida Statute § 319.23(6) deadline is 30 days from the date of sale. Late filings trigger a $20 penalty plus tag late fees that can exceed $100 if registration is also overdue.
What Happens After You File
Once the FLHSMV processes the 82179, three things happen in the database. First, the vehicle’s status flips to Sold. Second, a release-of-liability flag attaches to the seller’s record. Third, the buyer’s pending title application is matched to the form.
Most filers receive a confirmation letter by mail within 10 business days. Online submissions through GoRenew generate the confirmation instantly via email. Save a digital and paper copy.
If the buyer never applies for a new title, the vehicle remains in Sold — Pending Transfer status. The original seller is still released from civil liability for the period after the date of sale, but the buyer accumulates registration penalties at $20 per month, capped at $100 under § 320.07.
If a county sends a rejection notice, fix the flagged field and refile within 10 days to preserve your original filing date. The cure window is short, so check the rejection reason the day you receive it.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each of these errors triggers a specific consequence. Read the list before you sign anything.
- Mixing up the letter O and the number 0 in the VIN. The NMVTIS lookup fails and the form is rejected.
- Writing a P.O. Box as the only seller address. The state requires a physical residence address and will hold the file.
- Listing the buyer’s nickname instead of legal name. The buyer’s title application will be denied at the counter.
- Under-reporting the sale price. The Department of Revenue will reassess sales tax at fair market value and may charge fraud penalties.
- Backdating the date of sale. Triggers a § 319.40 false-statement misdemeanor.
- Rounding the odometer reading. Federal odometer fraud risk under § 319.35.
- Leaving the odometer disclosure box unchecked. Voids the entire form.
- Only one AND co-owner signing. Buyer cannot complete title transfer.
- Using a digital signature on a paper 82179. Tax collector rejects on sight.
- Mailing without certified mail. No proof of filing if the form is lost.
- Skipping the lien-release attachment. Title transfer cannot process while a lien is active.
- Filing more than 30 days after the date of sale. $20 late fee plus possible registration penalties.
Do’s and Don’ts
A short list to keep beside you while you fill in the form.
- Do use uppercase block letters in black or blue ink for legibility under FLHSMV scanners.
- Do copy every vehicle detail directly from the title, not the registration card.
- Do read the odometer at the moment of transfer, not the day before.
- Do keep a photocopy of the completed 82179 and the original title before you hand them over.
- Do file within 30 days to preserve your release of liability.
- Do confirm both photo IDs are unexpired before signing.
- Don’t alter or white-out any field — start a fresh form instead.
- Don’t accept a buyer’s promise to “register it Monday” without filing the Notice of Sale yourself.
- Don’t list a sale price below 75% of NADA value without a written explanation.
- Don’t sign before all required fields are filled in.
- Don’t mail without certified mail tracking.
- Don’t rely on photos of the form — keep the physical copy.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Plenty of Florida sellers file the 82179 themselves, but a tag agency or attorney can be worth the fee in tricky cases.
Pros of filing on your own. – Saves $25–$75 in tag-agency fees because you only pay the state fee. – Same-day filing through GoRenew with no appointment. – You control the timeline and never wait on a third party. – Builds familiarity with FLHSMV systems for future transfers. – Keeps personal data inside the FLHSMV system rather than a private vendor.
Cons of filing on your own. – A single field error costs you a trip back to the tax collector. – You absorb the legal risk if a buyer disputes the sale terms. – Estate, lien, or out-of-state title scenarios get complicated fast. – Counties have different document checklists that change without notice. – No professional double-checks the odometer disclosure for federal compliance.
FAQs
Is HSMV 82179 the same as a bill of sale?
Yes. Form 82179 functions as both a Notice of Sale (for the state) and a Bill of Sale (between buyer and seller). A separate generic bill of sale is optional but not required.
Do I need to notarize Form 82179?
No. Notarization is not required for the 82179 itself, though notarizing both signatures adds protection in disputes and is sometimes required for very old titles.
What if the title says “AND” between two owners?
Yes, both owners must sign. The word AND requires joint action under Florida § 319.22, so a single signature voids the transfer.
Can I write “GIFT” in the selling price box?
Yes. Write GIFT in Box 4 and complete a separate Form 82040 with the gift box checked to claim the sales tax exemption.
Do I file the form if the buyer is moving the car out of state?
Yes. File the Notice of Sale anyway to release your Florida liability, even if the buyer plans to title the vehicle in another state.
What is the deadline to file Form 82179?
Yes, there is a deadline — 30 days from the date of sale under § 319.23(6). Missing it triggers a $20 penalty and possible registration late fees.
Do I write my full middle name or just the initial in Box 2?
Yes, write the version that matches your title exactly. If your title shows the full middle name, use the full middle name; if it shows the initial, use the initial.
Does the buyer’s address have to be in Florida?
No. The buyer can list any U.S. address. Out-of-state buyers must still complete the form so Florida can release the seller’s record.
What odometer box do I check on a 30-year-old car?
Yes, you still check a box. Vehicles 20+ model years old are federally exempt, but Florida asks you to check Actual Mileage and write Exempt near the reading.
Can I file the form without the original title?
No. The county tax collector cannot process a transfer without the original title or an HSMV 82101 duplicate title application.
Is the $14,500 sale price taxed at 6% or my county rate?
Yes, it is taxed at the state 6% rate plus your county discretionary surtax (typically 0.5%–1.5%) under Florida Department of Revenue rules.
Do I need a separate odometer form on top of the 82179?
No. The odometer disclosure built into Box 6 satisfies federal Truth in Mileage Act requirements for vehicles under 20 model years old.
What if the buyer’s name in Box 3 is misspelled?
No, do not white it out. Start a fresh 82179 and shred the old copy because corrections in title fields void the form under FLHSMV scan rules.
Can a power-of-attorney holder sign Box 7 for the seller?
Yes, with an attached Form 82053 Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney, the attorney-in-fact signs as [Seller name] by [Agent name], Attorney-in-Fact.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out a Title When Selling a Car (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 82139 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form HSMV 82223 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Florida Bonded Title Application (HSMV 82139) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Delaware DMV Application for Duplicate Title (Form MV213) + FAQs