Car title -- paper or electronic?

[MrLonzo]

When buying a new car in Florida, the final price generally includes registration and title. I just learned the title is kept electronically by the Florida DMV even after the car is paid off.

Do people normally request a paper copy of the title? Without that, how can the owner prove ownership? Or is proof of ownership not required except when selling it, in which case the transaction goes electronically through the DMV?

[retiredguy123]

The official title is electronic. But, you can go the the DMV office, and they will print one off for you. I got one and they charged me $10.

[CarlR33]

LOL, just transferred a title from another state and they mailed me a hard copy?

[retiredguy123]

LOL, just transferred a title from another state and they mailed me a hard copy?
In Florida, the "official" title is electronic, not paper.

[MrFlorida]

Bought a new car in August, got a paper title in the mail.

[retiredguy123]

Either an electronic or a paper title can be used to sell a vehicle.

Although, if you use a paper title, the official ownership status of the vehicle will not change until the new owner applies for a new title through the DMV office. This is stated on the Florida title. Personally, I would not want to depend on the purchaser to apply for a new title before the DMV will change the ownership status. Very complicated.

[vintageogauge]

Bough a new 2025 Buick and the dealer provided a paper title. Makes it much easier if you want to sell your car in the future as you can go to the DMV and have it transferred to the buyer on site.

[MrLonzo]

Bought a new car in August, got a paper title in the mail.

Just wondering, was it mailed to you from the dealer or from the DMV?

[MrLonzo]

Bough a new 2025 Buick and the dealer provided a paper title. Makes it much easier if you want to sell your car in the future as you can go to the DMV and have it transferred to the buyer on site.

I bought a new 2025 also and the dealer told me the title would be mailed to me from the DMV. I never got it. When I contacted the dealer, they said I have to contact the DMV.

[retiredguy123]

Bough a new 2025 Buick and the dealer provided a paper title. Makes it much easier if you want to sell your car in the future as you can go to the DMV and have it transferred to the buyer on site.
This is what it says on my title:

"Note: The submission of this form, accurately completed, to a tax collector's office, license plate agency or to the address above will allow the title clerk to update the DMV database to reflect the title record as "sold". However, the ownership status will not change until the purchaser applies for and is issued a certificate of title."

So, you can do what you said, but unless the purchaser comes with you, the ownership status will still list you as the vehicle owner. If the purchaser comes with you, you really don't need a paper title because the clerk can use the electronic title to record the sale. My issue is that the purchaser can sign the title, take the vehicle, and never apply for a new title.

[retiredguy123]

I bought a new 2025 also and the dealer told me the title would be mailed to me from the DMV. I never got it. When I contacted the dealer, they said I have to contact the DMV.
The dealer was not correct in telling you that the DMV will send you a title. The DMV will only provide a paper title if you request it and pay for it. Otherwise, it is only an electronic title.

Note that it is possible for the dealer to order and pay for a paper title for you from the DMV, but if they don't, it is not automatic. In your case, it sounds like they did not.

[retiredguy123]

OP, I would suggest that you visit the tax collector office at Powell Road and Rt. 466A. They can verify that you are correctly recorded as the vehicle owner and they can print out a paper copy of the title. This only takes a few minutes. I would not trust anything the dealer says.

[MrFlorida]

Dmv

[JRcorvette]

When buying a new car in Florida, the final price generally includes registration and title. I just learned the title is kept electronically by the Florida DMV even after the car is paid off.

Do people normally request a paper copy of the title? Without that, how can the owner prove ownership? Or is proof of ownership not required except when selling it, in which case the transaction goes electronically through the DMV?

Here is the deal because I have been through it. If you want to sell the car on your own you will need a paper title. If you are going to trade in the vehicle you do not but if it has a loan on it then the title will be electronic (saving money I guess). You can go down to the motor vehicle department and get a paper title sent to you. The fee use to be $10 but may have gone up.

[retiredguy123]

Here is the deal because I have been through it. If you want to sell the car on your own you will need a paper title. If you are going to trade in the vehicle you do not but if it has a loan on it then the title will be electronic (saving money I guess). You can go down to the motor vehicle department and get a paper title sent to you. The fee use to be $10 but may have gone up.
Correct, except that there is always an electronic title, even if there is no loan. I have an electronic title, and I have never had a loan. I would recommend getting a paper title anyway. I paid $10 for my "paper" title, scanned it, and it is stored on my Google drive.

The only potential problem is that, if you sell the vehicle using only the paper title, the DMV will still show you as the owner of the vehicle. I guess this is because, unless the purchaser applies for a new title, the DMV has no way to know who actually owns the vehicle. The purchaser may have sold the vehicle to someone else.

[Ruger2506]

When buying a new car in Florida, the final price generally includes registration and title. I just learned the title is kept electronically by the Florida DMV even after the car is paid off.

Do people normally request a paper copy of the title? Without that, how can the owner prove ownership? Or is proof of ownership not required except when selling it, in which case the transaction goes electronically through the DMV?

I'd say request a hard copy. You are really going to trust a gov't computer system and gov't employees? Not this guy.

[Ruger2506]

Correct, except that there is always an electronic title, even if there is no loan. I have an electronic title, and I have never had a loan. I would recommend getting a paper title anyway. I paid $10 for my "paper" title, scanned it, and it is stored on my Google drive.

The only potential problem is that, if you sell the vehicle using only the paper title, the DMV will still show you as the owner of the vehicle. I guess this is because, unless the purchaser applies for a new title, the DMV has no way to know who actually owns the vehicle. The purchaser may have sold the vehicle to someone else.

That's why you get a detailed receipt showing the sale to protect you. Then if the gov't says you still own the auto, you can prove you do not. I'm not wasting time going to the DMV with the buyer.

[Topspinmo]

I wonder how electronic title works if move to another state and register or sell vehicle with only paper registration in hand? Seems kind of stupid not getting paper title in had for such expensive item that requires transfer if moved to another state?

[McClendons]

Fl has used electronic titles for years, and I've never heard a problem. I know they've worked great for me. I do know of people that have had paper titles lost or stolen, and that can cause issues. E titles are "free", you can always pay for a paper title if you sell on your own, it can be requested on line. I've never had anyone ask for a title (traffic stop etc), except when selling. Your registration shows enough for that. Very rare cases people "need" paper titles today, and no downsides

[ron32162]

You can request a hard copy for a fee. Just traded in a older jeep last week with a electronic title It went smooth.

[Elixir34]

In Florida, the "official" title is electronic, not paper.

I was told by the FL DMV that once I bought a printed copy of the title, they no longer would be maintaining an electronic version of it.

[HJBeck]

You should get a Title document several weeks after closing on the deal. It will state that you have a mortgage on the vehicle. After you pay off the mortgage you will get another one with no mortgage lien shown on it.

[Sgt Ed]

When buying a new car in Florida, the final price generally includes registration and title. I just learned the title is kept electronically by the Florida DMV even after the car is paid off.

Do people normally request a paper copy of the title? Without that, how can the owner prove ownership? Or is proof of ownership not required except when selling it, in which case the transaction goes electronically through the DMV? DO NOT GO ELECTRONIC. I had a business in Tampa that occasionally had to use the title system. If you want something really screwed up let the government handle it. Try and trade in an electronic title car when you buy a new car, try and junk out a electronic title vehicle and the list goes on. Try and sell a car with an electronic title. NO WAY FOR ME.

[MrLonzo]

You should get a Title document several weeks after closing on the deal. It will state that you have a mortgage on the vehicle. After you pay off the mortgage you will get another one with no mortgage lien shown on it.

I received neither of those after recent purchase of a new car from a dealer.

[retiredguy123]

I received neither of those after recent purchase of a new car from a dealer.
I would contact the DMV to find out if the dealer ever recorded the sale.

[vintageogauge]

This is what it says on my title:

"Note: The submission of this form, accurately completed, to a tax collector's office, license plate agency or to the address above will allow the title clerk to update the DMV database to reflect the title record as "sold". However, the ownership status will not change until the purchaser applies for and is issued a certificate of title."

So, you can do what you said, but unless the purchaser comes with you, the ownership status will still list you as the vehicle owner. If the purchaser comes with you, you really don't need a paper title because the clerk can use the electronic title to record the sale. My issue is that the purchaser can sign the title, take the vehicle, and never apply for a new title.

That's been like that forever but if he shelled out 20 or 30 thousand for a car why would he not want to legally own the car and why would he take a chance of driving without insurance and with no plates or non-matching plates? When I sell my cars I always keep it insured until the buyer sends me proof that it was transferred and I never let them leave with my license plate.

[retiredguy123]

That's been like that forever but if he shelled out 20 or 30 thousand for a car why would he not want to legally own the car and why would he take a chance of driving without insurance and with no plates or non-matching plates? When I sell my cars I always keep it insured until the buyer sends me proof that it was transferred and I never let them leave with my license plate.
Correct, but a lot of people buy a vehicle to resell, and they don't actually get their own title before they resell it.

[Nancy@Pinellas]

We recently bought a new car. Two weeks later our title came in the mail. No problem here.

[BostonRich]

I recently bought a car from a dealership and was told the title was all electronic now. I was surprised that a couple of weeks later the state mailed me a paper copy.

[ElDiabloJoe]

...
This is stated on the Florida title. Personally, I would not want to depend on the purchaser to apply for a new title before the DMV will change the ownership status. Very complicated.
I agree. What if the new purchaser gets into an accident and caused a fatality. The initial review of documents will indicate YOU as the vehicle owner. Expect to be named in lawsuits until it gets cleared up. Not worth the headache and scare in my opinion, would rather be responsible to immediately release liability of the vehicle myself rather than hoping / waiting for the new owner to change the ownership status with DMV.

[shut the front door]

The official title is electronic. But, you can go the the DMV office, and they will print one off for you. I got one and they charged me $10.

I went online and ordered my title and paid nothing. It was in my mail 4 days later.

[tophcfa]

I would absolutely want a physical title, I can’t put a digital title in our fireproof safe where all important documents reside.

[Inspector Mark]

This may already have been said. In Michigan, a couple of years ago they stops issuing paper titles. I bought my last car in 2022. The title never came in the mail so I called the dealer because I was concerned. That's when I found out no more paper titles.

Before coming down to Florida last month I paid the vehicle off, now I waiting to see what happens next. When the payoff letter comes in the mail will I have to send it to the State, did the credit union send a letter to the state, do I just hold the letter until I sell the vehicle and that prove there is no lean?

[Inspector Mark]

When buying a new car in Florida, the final price generally includes registration and title. I just learned the title is kept electronically by the Florida DMV even after the car is paid off.

Do people normally request a paper copy of the title? Without that, how can the owner prove ownership? Or is proof of ownership not required except when selling it, in which case the transaction goes electronically through the DMV?

I have never had to prove I owned a vehicle in my life until I wanted to sell it. Never needed the paper title until then.

[joshgun]

I sold my car to CarMax which I bought new in 2018. They required paper title not electronic so I had to go to DMV and pay$10 for paper title.

[stevesliders]

When buying a new car in Florida, the final price generally includes registration and title. I just learned the title is kept electronically by the Florida DMV even after the car is paid off.

Do people normally request a paper copy of the title? Without that, how can the owner prove ownership? Or is proof of ownership not required except when selling it, in which case the transaction goes electronically through the DMV?

Go to fldhsmv.gov online $ 2.50 will be mailed to you.

[msilagy]

I just bought a car and was sent a paper title.

[retiredguy123]

Go to fldhsmv.gov online $ 2.50 will be mailed to you.
That link does not work. Try FLHSMV.gov.

[MrLonzo]

I just bought a car and was sent a paper title.

Who sent it? The dealer or DMV?

[MrLonzo]

When buying a new car in Florida, the final price generally includes registration and title. I just learned the title is kept electronically by the Florida DMV even after the car is paid off.

Do people normally request a paper copy of the title? Without that, how can the owner prove ownership? Or is proof of ownership not required except when selling it, in which case the transaction goes electronically through the DMV?

Followup: Based on the wide and often disparate responses on the Forum, I decided to get a paper title. I went to the DMV on Powell -- they said it would cost $10 to get a paper title there, or I could pay $2.50 and have them mail it to me. I chose the latter.

They also told me that I need a paper title to sell the car. If I don't have a paper title and never had one, I could order one at the time of the sale (which might delay the sale), or transfer the title electronically to the buyer which would cost about $85. The latter would also apply if you get a paper title and lose it!

[retiredguy123]

Followup: Based on the wide and often disparate responses on the Forum, I decided to get a paper title. I went to the DMV on Powell -- they said it would cost $10 to get a paper title there, or I could pay $2.50 and have them mail it to me. I chose the latter.

They also told me that I need a paper title to sell the car. If I don't have a paper title and never had one, I could order one at the time of the sale (which might delay the sale), or transfer the title electronically to the buyer which would cost about $85. The latter would also apply if you get a paper title and lose it!
What you posted is also "disparate". "You need a paper title to sell the car" and "you can transfer the title electronically to the buyer". Which is it?

My advice is to get a paper title and don't lose it. I have a paper title, and I also have a scanned copy stored on the cloud (Google Drive) with all of my other legal documents.

[MrLonzo]

What you posted is also "disparate". "You need a paper title to sell the car" and "you can transfer the title electronically to the buyer". Which is it?


Yes, the part I left out of the "you need a paper title" is "if you don't want to pay the $85". Sorry.