Can you register a car in the State of Florida with a Bill Of Sale and not a title?

Following a purchase of a car, the Bill of Sale cannot be used to register the car. Instead, the car buyer must present a properly completed and transferred certificate of title, as proof of transfer of ownership, in order to complete the registration of the vehicle. Nevertheless, it is highly advisable that car buyers obtain both the vehicle title certificate and a notarized copy of the Bill of Sale when purchasing a vehicle from a private party seller, whether it be a previous owner or a motor vehicle dealer, as the Bill of Sale can be useful if any party debates the sale price or other details of the transaction.

In the State of Florida, a Bill of Sale serves as proof and record of the transaction that took place when you purchased a vehicle, usually from a private party seller. The State of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles even goes as far as providing car sellers and buyers with a pre-formatted Bill of Sale that can be used. If you are buying a car from a private party seller, the seller is required to the Bill of Sale to the County Tax Collector's office. The Bill of Sale serves as a legal record of the sales transaction and becomes an important part of your vehicle's records following the transaction.