RefusedTransfer with lien on record
By the lenderLien release
$2.00Lien recording fee (new loan)
$75.25Transfer fee
Step by step
- Seller gets the payoff amount from the lender, good through the expected sale date.
- Pay off the loan. Either the seller pays it and then sells, or the buyer pays the lender directly for the payoff and the seller the difference, at the same time, ideally at the lender's branch or a tax collector office. Do not hand the full price to the seller and "trust" the payoff.
- Lender releases the lien. Electronic liens are released to FLHSMV electronically; the title then becomes a clean electronic title in the seller's name. If the lender holds a paper title, it signs the lien satisfaction on it and mails it to the seller.
- Only then transfer: paper title seller section + HSMV 82050 + buyer applies with HSMV 82040 within 30 days; or both parties reassign at the counter with HSMV 82994 if the title stays electronic.
- If the buyer is financing, the new lender records its lien with HSMV 82139 and a $2 lien recording fee; the title issues electronically to the lender.
- Buyer pays $75.25 transfer, sales tax on the price (6% plus county surtax on the first $5,000), registration.
What to bring to the tax collector
- Payoff letter from the lender
- Lien satisfaction (paper) or confirmation that the electronic lien was released
- Title (paper) with seller section completed, or both IDs for electronic reassignment
- HSMV 82040, HSMV 82050; HSMV 82139 if a new lender is involved
- Proof of Florida insurance, plate to transfer
What gets applications rejected
- Buyer pays the seller in full and the seller never pays the lender: the lien stays and the buyer cannot title the car.
- Trying to transfer with the lienholder still on record: refused at the counter.
- A gift where the recipient takes over the loan: the assumed loan is consideration, so sales tax applies.
- Out-of-state lender holding the title: allow time; the tax collector can request the title from the lienholder.
Official forms for this situation
Everything filled in, ready to sign
The kit for this exact situation: the right HSMV forms pre-filled with your details, the bill of sale ready to print, the counter checklist with the things that get applications rejected, and the fee total for your county.
Build my kit now — free previewAnswer five short steps; the official forms come back filled in.
Money-back guarantee if the tax collector rejects the paperwork because of an error in the kit. Verified 2026-09-06.
Fees in Florida (electronic title)
- Title transfer: $75.25 (paper title printed: $77.75; fast title: $85.25)
- Late penalty after 30 days: $20.00 (F.S. 319.23(6))
- Lien recording, if any: $2.00
- Initial registration if you have no Florida plate to transfer: $225.00
- Sales tax on a purchase: 6% state sales/use tax plus the county discretionary surtax (surtax applies only to the first $5,000 of the price).
Fee schedule: FLHSMV FEES-01 Rev. 04/26 · source
Questions
Can I sell a car with a lien in Florida?
Only after the lienholder releases the lien. Ownership cannot transfer while a lien is recorded (FLHSMV procedure TL-11).
How is a lien released in Florida?
Most liens are electronic: once paid, the lender notifies FLHSMV and the record clears. Paper-title liens are satisfied by the lender on the title itself.
What does it cost to record a new lien?
$2.00 lien recording fee in addition to the title fee (FLHSMV fee schedule FEES-01).
Other Florida situations
Sources read on 2026-09-06: FLHSMV Schedule of Title and Lien Fees, Rev. 04/26; FLHSMV Procedure TL-11 Transfer of Florida Certificate of Title, Rev. 06/26; HSMV 82040 MV form; F.A.C. 12A-1.007 Aircraft, Boats, Mobile Homes, and Motor Vehicles (eff. 2/20/2025). Florida rules change; we re-check these pages against the official documents and update the date above.