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Barbara Ford-Coates - Florida Tax Collector serving Sarasota County
Exceptional Staff - Exceptional Service

Selling Your Vessel

When you sell a vessel, within 30 days, you must complete the Notice of Sale section on the back of the Certificate of Title or HSMV 82050. Submit the form to this office or the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).

Trading in your vessel to a Florida dealer?

  • If your title is electronically held in the database of the Florida DHSMV, the title can remain electronic and the dealer will handle the paperwork for you.
  • If you have a paper title, take the title to the dealer and the dealer will handle the paperwork for you.

Selling your vessel to an individual?

  • If your title is electronically held in the database of the Florida DHSMV, you can request that the title be printed; it will be mailed to you from the Florida DHSMV. If you need the title immediately, visit one of our Service Centers.
  • If you have a paper title, the title must be completed for transfer to the purchaser. As seller, you are required to sign as seller releasing your interest in the vessel, enter the selling price, date of sale and purchaser's name.

Bill of Sale: If you sell a boat and motor (excluding an inboard motor) and provide an itemized bill of sale to the buyer that lists the cost of each item separately, sales tax will be calculated only on the purchase price of the boat.