Replacing a stolen, damaged or lost car registration in Florida is a mandatory step for vehicle owners who do not have a valid registration card in their possession. Motorists can apply for a copy of a vehicle registration through the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). Failure to get a duplicate registration card when required to do so may lead to certain legal consequences, such as traffic tickets for driving without a valid registration.
The process to replace a car registration in FL can be completed through the various county tax collector offices or authorized license plate agencies. As an added convenience, the DMV also offers a fast and reliable online replacement option through its official website. Regardless of the chosen application method, vehicle owners will have to provide specific information and pay the applicable fees in order to get a replacement registration. Find out more details about the process below.
When do you need to get a copy of your vehicle registration in Florida?
Obtaining a DMV registration replacement in Florida is a procedure that must be completed under different circumstances. For instance, replacing a DMV lost registration is a common reason for initiating the replacement process. However, you must also apply for a duplicate registration card if you have a damaged or stolen registration certificate.
Occasionally, state DHSMV may issue you a registration certificate with typographical errors. In such cases, you will have to notify the department of the mistake and apply for a replacement document.
How to Obtain a Replacement Vehicle Registration in Florida
To apply for a Florida DMV copy of a registration, you will be required to submit certain types of information and pay the applicable replacement costs. You can either get a copy of a car registration in person through an official DHSMV site or via the department’s online services platform. The following sections explore both application methods in detail.
How to Replace a Vehicle Registration Online
The fastest way to replace your car registration in Florida is to submit an online request through GoRenew, which is the department’s official online service for both renewing and replacing car registrations. To successfully obtain a copy of avehicle registration online, complete these steps:
- Log onto the system with your last name and date of birth.
- Provide your address, Social Security Number, official FL drivers license number and license plate number, if and when prompted to do so.
- Follow the subsequent steps once the system retrieves your vehicle record.
- Furnish an email address and a shipping address.
- Pay the applicable replacement cost.
- Review your order and print the receipt, if you choose to do so.
Once you complete the steps to replace your car registration online in FL, the system will generate a confirmation page and forward your request. You will receive your duplicate vehicle registration within seven to 10 business days at your address on file. While waiting for your replacement registration card, you can print the transaction confirmation receipt and use it as a temporary proof of registration.
Note: The DHSMV also offers a mobile application that provides the same online service as the one above. After downloading and accessing the MyFlorida application, you can obtain a replacement registration by providing your personal data and vehicle information.
How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in Person
If you are unable to get your Florida copy of car registration via the internet or prefer to apply in person, you can visit a nearby motor vehicle service center. When replacing your car registration through your county tax collector’s office or a local license plate agency, you will be required to provide several types of information, fill out any applicable forms and pay the replacement fee. If you are applying in person, you may also be asked to present an official form of identification.
You will typically receive your FL DMV copy of registration before leaving the office.
Florida Stolen Car Registration Requirements
The state DHSMV will issue you a Florida copy of vehicle registration if you had your registration stolen without implementing any special requirements. For instance, you are not required to report a stolen car registration to obtain a replacement. Even if the department does not need a police incident report to issue you a duplicate registration, you are still advised to report such thefts to protect yourself against any potential misuse of your registration card.
Note: You will have to file a police report only if you lose your license plate.
Florida DMV Sticker Replacement
In addition to replacing your car registration in Florida, you also have the option of requesting a duplicate license sticker after you damage or lose it. Note that the state DHSMV implements a separate DMV sticker replacement procedure. You can replace your license decal with the Application for Replacement License Plate, Validation Decal or Parking Permit.
You can submit the application for a replacement decal along with the DMV replacement sticker fee through a nearby license plate agency or a county tax collector’s office. Once the department processes your request, it will issue you a replacement decal that must be affixed in the square space on the plate’s upper right-hand corner.
Florida Vehicle Registration Replacement Fees
When applying for a copy of vehicle registration in Florida, you will be required to pay the applicable replacement fees, which will vary depending on whether you are replacing your registration only or additional registration items, as well. The standard costs to replace your car registration are outlined below:
- $2.50 duplicate registration fee
- $2 non-refundable online application fee, if applying via the internet
- $4 or $3.75 processing fee if paying via the mobile application with a credit card or checking account, correspondingly.
Note: Contact the state DHSMV before replacing your car registration in FL to inquire about the exact costs in your circumstances and whether or not you qualify for a fee discount for stolen registration items.
Related Forms
Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.
Last updated on Monday, March 9 2020.
Sources
- Renew or Replace Your Registration from FLHSMV.gov
- FAQs on Registration of Motor Vehicles from FLHSMV.gov
- Fees from FLHSMV.gov
