Who Handles Florida Mobile Home Titles?
In Florida, manufactured homes and mobile homes titled as personal property (not yet converted to real property) are handled by DHSMV — the same agency that handles car titles. But unlike cars, you file your mobile home title transaction at your local county tax collector's motor vehicle office, not at a driver's license office.
Each of Florida's 67 counties has a tax collector, and contact information is listed at flhsmv.gov/offices/. Processing times, office hours, and exact fee collection procedures vary slightly by county, but the fee amounts set by DHSMV are consistent statewide.
Florida Mobile Home Title: The Two Parts of Every Transfer
A standard Florida mobile home title transfer involves two documents and two separate processes that most people don't realize:
- The Certificate of Title — issued by DHSMV through the county tax collector; this is the actual title document proving ownership
- The Mobile Home Annual Registration (Sticker/Decal) — an annual registration required by the county, separate from the title; if this is overdue, you'll owe back fees before the title can transfer
Both must be in order before a clean title transfer can occur. If you're buying from a private seller, verify that their annual registration is current before completing the sale.
Complete Florida Title Transfer Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title transfer fee | $75.75 | DHSMV-set fee; applies to all ownership changes |
| County service charge | $2.50 | Collected by county tax collector; retained locally |
| Mobile home annual registration (current year) | Single-wide: $20–$80 Double-wide: $40–$130 | Varies by length/size categories; due January 1 each year |
| Late registration penalty (if overdue) | 10% per month, max 25% | Calculated on the registration fee; adds up quickly if registration is years overdue |
| Lien filing fee (if new lender) | $2 | If buyer is financing and a new lien is being recorded |
| Electronic title fee (if chosen) | $0 | No extra charge for electronic vs. paper title |
| Sales tax (if applicable) | 6% state + county surtax | See sales tax section below — exemptions common for private sales |
| Minimum typical total (no back registration) | $98–$210 | Excludes sales tax and any overdue fees |
Florida Mobile Home Registration Fee Schedule
Florida categorizes mobile homes by length for annual registration. As of 2025:
| Mobile Home Length | Annual Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 35 feet | $20 |
| 35.1 to 45 feet | $30 |
| 45.1 to 55 feet | $40 |
| 55.1 feet and over | $80 |
| Doublewide (two-section) | Each section assessed separately by its length |
A typical double-wide with two 40-foot sections pays $60/year total ($30 × 2). A single-wide 60-footer pays $80/year.
Florida Mobile Home Sales Tax — What You Actually Owe
Sales tax on mobile homes in Florida is more nuanced than most people expect:
- Private-party sale (non-dealer): Generally exempt from Florida sales tax if the home has been used as a residence. This is the most common situation — most private buyers owe $0 in sales tax.
- Dealer sale: Subject to Florida's 6% state sales tax plus the county discretionary surtax (0.5%–2% depending on county). Dealers are required to collect and remit this.
- Land included in the sale: If land and home are sold together (real property), the transaction is treated as real estate — different tax rules apply, typically no sales tax but documentary stamp tax.
- Unsure? Florida Department of Revenue has a dedicated line for sales tax questions: (850) 488-6800, option 1. It's worth a quick call before closing if you're uncertain.
Step-by-Step: Florida Mobile Home Title Transfer Process
- Get the signed title from the seller The seller must sign the back of the Florida Certificate of Title in the "Assignment of Title" section. Both registered owners must sign if there are two. Do not accept a title that isn't signed — once money changes hands without a signed title, recovering from a problematic situation is very difficult.
- Complete the buyer section of the title assignment On the back of the title, fill in the buyer's full legal name, address, and date of sale. The purchase price should be accurate — this is used to calculate any applicable fees.
- Verify registration is current (or budget for back fees) Ask the seller to show you the current-year registration sticker/decal or a receipt from the county tax collector showing registration is paid. If it's not current, factor those fees into your negotiation.
- Go to your county tax collector's motor vehicle office Bring the signed title, your ID, and payment. Use the office locator at flhsmv.gov/offices/ — look for "Motor Vehicles" or "Titles" in your county's tax collector listings.
- Pay all applicable fees The clerk will calculate the total, including any back registration fees. Payment methods vary by county (cash, check, debit, credit) — call ahead if you prefer credit card, as some offices charge a convenience fee.
- Receive new title Florida will issue a new title in the buyer's name. If processed in person at a county office with on-site printing capability, you may receive it immediately. Otherwise, it will be mailed from DHSMV within 7–10 business days.
Documents Required for a Florida Mobile Home Title Transfer
- Florida Certificate of Title, signed by the seller in the assignment section
- Buyer's government-issued photo ID
- Lien release if the title shows a lienholder and the loan is paid off
- Payment for title transfer fee ($75.75), county service fee ($2.50), and registration fee
- If the home is a doublewide: title documents for both sections (each section has a separate title in Florida)
- If transferring after a death: death certificate and estate documentation (see our after-death guide)
Doublewides: Florida's Two-Title System
This surprises many buyers: in Florida, a doublewide manufactured home has two separate certificates of title — one for each section. Both sections have their own serial numbers and must be transferred separately but together. When buying a doublewide, verify you receive both signed titles. When filing at the tax collector, both are submitted simultaneously. Fees apply to each section separately.
Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
- In-person at county tax collector: Same day to 2 business days in most counties
- Title mailed from DHSMV: 7–10 business days after in-person filing if not printed on-site
- If back registration or lien issues exist: Resolve those first; may add 1–4 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
Any Florida county tax collector can process a mobile home title transfer — you don't have to go to the county where the home is located. This is useful if you live in a different county than the home. However, the county where the home is located will manage the annual registration, so it's often simplest to use the local county office for both title and registration at once.
The seller doesn't need to be in Florida — they just need to sign the title. The seller can sign the title in their state (no notarization required for standard title assignment) and mail the signed title to the buyer in Florida. The buyer then takes the signed title to the county tax collector. If the seller is uncomfortable mailing the original title, the transaction can be structured through a title company or attorney's trust account for security.
Contact the original lender to request a lien release. Most lenders will provide this promptly for free. If the lender has merged or closed, contact the successor institution. If the lender is completely gone and untraceable, Florida allows a surety bond or court-ordered lien release process. See our unresponsive lienholder guide for the full process. The county tax collector cannot waive the lien release requirement — this must be resolved before title will transfer.
Form HSMV 82040 (Motor Vehicle/Mobile Home/Vessel Bill of Sale) is optional for a private-party sale — it's not required to process the title transfer. However, it can serve as useful documentation of the sale price, date, and both parties' information. Some counties may request it as supporting documentation. It's a good practice to complete one and have both parties keep a copy, even if not strictly required.
No. The home is your personal property and is protected by Florida's Mobile Home Act (Chapter 723, Florida Statutes). If a park closes or changes hands, you have legal rights including notice requirements and relocation assistance in some circumstances. The park operator cannot seize your home. Your title remains valid regardless of what happens to the park. If you're facing a park closure, consult Florida's Manufactured Housing Association or a Florida attorney familiar with Chapter 723.
Related: Florida Lost/Duplicate Title · After-Death Transfers · Lien Release Guide · Find Your Transfer Path