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Florida Bonded Title Guide

SuretyBonds.com provides the fastest and easiest way to get a Florida bonded title. Learn how to navigate the certificate of title bonding process with this complete guide.

Bond Overview

  • Purpose: To guarantee legal ownership of a vehicle
  • Who Needs It: Individuals looking to register a vehicle without a valid title
  • Regulating Body: The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  • Required Amount: 2x the vehicle’s appraised value
  • Premium Rate: Typically $15/$1,000 in coverage, starting at $100

What Is a Florida Bonded Title?

A bonded title is a certificate of title backed by a surety bond that allows you to legally register your vehicle with the state of Florida. 

It proves you are the legal owner of a vehicle when the original title is invalid, unavailable or can not be transferred.

What Is a Florida Certificate of Title Bond? 

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) requires a certificate of title bond to register vehicles with lost, stolen, or missing titles. 

Title bonds protect previous and future owners from losses resulting from ownership disputes or fraud. 

If you’re planning to sell vehicles, a separate Florida motor vehicle dealer bond is required. 

How Much Title Bond Coverage Do I Need?

Your Florida vehicle title bond amount must be 2 times the vehicle’s current retail value.

Refer to the Kelley Blue Book to determine your vehicle’s current retail value. Submit a screenshot of this appraisal with your application. 

How Much Do Title Bonds Cost in Florida?

Florida certificate of title bond costs start at $100 for the 3-year term. Exact costs vary depending on  the vehicle’s value and the resulting coverage required by the DHSMV:

  • $100–$50,000 Bond: $15/$1,000, starting at $100 
  • $50,000+ Bond: Prices start at $750, application required

Select your bond amount below to buy now or apply for a free quote.

Bond Type
$100-$50,000Certificate of Title Bond
$50,000-$500,000Certificate of Title Bond

SuretyBonds.com offers the lowest available rates from our nationwide provider network with no added fees. 

How Does a Florida Certificate of Title Bond Work? 

A Florida lost vehicle title bond creates a legal contract between three parties:

  1. Principal: You, the bonded title applicant purchasing the bond
  2. Obligee: The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles requiring the bond
  3. Surety: The provider issuing the bond

The Florida bonded title protects any prior owner or future purchaser of the vehicle from expenses, losses, or damages. 

For example, if the original title is found and a valid claim is made, the surety company will pay damages up to the full bond amount. The bonded vehicle owner must then reimburse the surety.

Who Needs a Certificate of Title Bond? 

Individuals in Florida must file a surety bond if they are missing official vehicle ownership documentation according to Florida Statutes 319.23(7). 

You may need a bonded title under the following conditions: 

  • You did not receive a title when you bought the vehicle
  • The title you received was incorrectly assigned to you
  • You received a title but lost it before transferring it into your name

How Do I Get a Certificate of Title Bond in Florida? 

SuretyBonds.com provides the fastest and easiest way to get bonded. Just follow these quick steps: 

  1. Apply online at SuretyBonds.com 
  2. Get a free quote within one business day*
  3. Buy online or over the phone
  4. Receive your title bond digitally  
  5. File your bond with the DHSMV

*Note: For bond amounts between $100 and $50,000, you’ll receive your bond instantly.

What to Include on Your Bond Application

When applying for your Florida certificate of title bond, be sure to include the following information:

  • The year, make and body type of the vehicle 
  • The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • The retail value of the vehicle 
  • The Florida title number, if you have it

How Long Does it Take to Get a Bonded Title in Florida? 

In Florida, you can expect to get your bonded title in 4-6 weeks, based on the DHSMV normal title processing time.

Do I Need to Renew My Title Bond?

No, your Florida certificate of title bond will expire after three years. After that, the bonded title will be removed from record and you can get a standard title.

How to Get a Bonded Title in Florida 

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles enforces vehicle registration requirements and approves bonded title applications. 

Follow the five steps below to apply for your Florida bonded title.

How to Get a Florida Bonded Title

Step 1: Verify eligibility

To qualify for a bonded title in Florida, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a resident or business owner in Florida 
  • The vehicle must have been acquired in a private sale
  • The vehicle must be an automobile or truck weighing less than 8,000 pounds or a motorcycle
  • The vehicle must be between 15 and 25 years old

Note: If your vehicle has security interests, liens or encumbrances, you’re not eligible for a bonded title. Instead, refer to Form 82040.

Step 2: Get an inspection

You must get your vehicle inspected to verify the VIN and odometer reading. Fill out part A of the Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification form. 

Then, get your vehicle inspected by one of the following: 

  • Licensed auto dealer
  • Police officer
  • Tax collector
  • DHSMV employee

The inspector should complete part B of the form. 

Step 3: Purchase your surety bond

Use Kelley Blue Book to calculate your vehicle’s current retail value and take a clear screenshot.

There are two spaces on the surety bond form regarding vehicle value. 

  • “Current Retail Value” is the same amount as shown on the Kelley Blue Book valuation. 
  • “Penal Sum” must be at least twice the “Current Retail Value.”

Step 4: Complete your bonded title application

Gather the following documents for your bonded title application:

*Note: Be sure the affidavit is prescribed by the department and all circumstances are disclosed. State that you have a right to have a certificate of title issued. 

Step 5: Pay fees and submit your application packet

Submit your application packet and any required fees to your nearest tax collector’s office. Find a full list of fees on the FLHSMV website. 

What Makes Me Ineligible for a Florida Bonded Title?

The Florida DHSMV may reject your bonded title request for the following reasons:

  • The vehicle has an electronic title
  • The vehicle’s model is newer than 15 years old 
  • The vehicle’s model year is more than 29 years old as of January 1st of the current year
  • The vehicle is titled out-of-state
  • The vehicle has a NMVITS record outside of Florida
  • The vehicle has a security interest, lien or encumbrance on the title
  • The vehicle is actually a vessel, mobile home, recreational vehicle or off-highway vehicle
  • The vehicle weighs more than 8,000 pounds
  • The vehicle was an inheritance, gift, divorce settlement, transfer between a married couple, trade, or any transaction other than those mentioned in the Motor Vehicle Procedures Manual TL-01

How Do I Update My Bond Form?

If you need to update your bond form, email [email protected] to explain the needed change.

The most common changes for these bonds include:

  • Vehicle owner's name
  • Address
  • Vehicle information

More Resources

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