Florida Title

[toyo]

Quick question, and probably a simple answer.

I bought an RV in Florida 15 years ago and just paid it off. I am no longer a resident of FL. The lien holder "released" the title electronically, and advised me to contact FL DMV to obtain the title.

I am unfamiliar with electronic titles, and the DMV on-line tools aren't working for me (they will only send to 15 year old address?!).

Once upon a time, the lien holder would simply mail you your title. This seems more complex. Is there a simple way to get a physical paper title? Is this something that could be transferred to my current state (MA) so at least I can talk to someone in person?

Thanks!

[CharlesinGA]

toyo wrote:
Okay, thanks all. It was pretty simple after all. The previous person I talked to evidently though that I was trying to title a 15 year old vehicle for the first time. She was leading me down a rabbit hole with instructions that police of some flavor (or a dealership, on their letterhead) had to verify my VIN, it had to be notorized, etc, etc.

The person I talked to today (Thanks, JoeH!) simply gave me a form number, asked that I copy my Driver's License, and send a check for $10. She apologized that the online feature doesn't work for out of state residents. Simple!

Sorry for wasting your time.

No, you didn't waste anyone's time, you gave us good information, that someone else might be able to use in the future. Thanks.

Charles

[JoeH]

Glad you got it taken care of... the motor vehicle offices can be difficult to work with and for the most part, they are not a customer centric organization.

[toyo]

Okay, thanks all. It was pretty simple after all. The previous person I talked to evidently though that I was trying to title a 15 year old vehicle for the first time. She was leading me down a rabbit hole with instructions that police of some flavor (or a dealership, on their letterhead) had to verify my VIN, it had to be notorized, etc, etc.

The person I talked to today (Thanks, JoeH!) simply gave me a form number, asked that I copy my Driver's License, and send a check for $10. She apologized that the online feature doesn't work for out of state residents. Simple!

Sorry for wasting your time.

[JoeH]

If you bought it at Lazy Days per your earlier post, contact Doug Belden, he's the Hillsborough County Tax Collector.
People move all the time, so they must have a process to send a paper title to a new address.... just need to talk to the right person.

A few months ago , I was having an issue with registering/titling an antique motorcycle to get special plates and to correct a weight/cc metric on the title.. The clerk I had at the office had no clue so I politely asked for a supervisor who came over and did what was needed in a couple minutes whereas I had spent at least 30 minutes with the clerk getting nowhere.

[toyo]

Horsedoc wrote:
Suggest you contact the Tax Commissioner (office) in the county of your previous residence and explain your situation. Usually the clerks (here in Georgia anyway) are very knowledgeable and accommodating in this sort of thing.

Okay, that's my next step. Thanks!

[toyo]

jkwilson wrote:
How did you plate it in MA without a MA title?

I suspect MA is going to be very interested in 15 years worth of taxes.

I've lived in several states, and the process is soooo different between states. In brief, I bought the motor home in FL in 2005, lived in it in FL for a couple of years, returned "home" to MA, and simply exchanged FL plates for MA plates. In MA, a vehicle tax is called an excise tax, and I've been paying it ever since. At the time I purchased, RV loans out of LazyDays in Tampa were below 2%, so it was better just to finance the RV.

[jkwilson]

How did you plate it in MA without a MA title?

I suspect MA is going to be very interested in 15 years worth of taxes.

[Horsedoc]

Suggest you contact the Tax Commissioner (office) in the county of your previous residence and explain your situation. Usually the clerks (here in Georgia anyway) are very knowledgeable and accommodating in this sort of thing.

[toyo]

R12RT wrote:
From the Florida DVM website:

If you ever need a paper copy of your title, you can simply order it online at www.GoRenew.com.

I've already tried that route--apparently they will only mail it to the Florida address on file fifteen years ago.

[R12RT]

From the Florida DVM website:

If you ever need a paper copy of your title, you can simply order it online at www.GoRenew.com, or visit your local tax collector office and pay a $2.50 fee and have it mailed to you within three business days. Most tax collectors also offer same-day title printing for a fee of $10.

[jdc1]

The only way you're going to get a title without going there is to hire someone from a title company to do if for you (power of attorney needed) or call the Florida DMV and work something out. If it's the second case, you may need a legal recorded letter sent to them.