How to Get Rebuilt Title in Florida

There are two types of branded titles that indicate a major accident in a car’s history:

• Salvage title: Assigned to a car that’s been declared a total loss by an insurance company
• Rebuilt title: Certifies that a vehicle that was once totaled has now been restored to drivable condition

Typically, a car gets a salvage certificate of title (or a “certificate of destruction”) if a salvage yard or owner decides to keep it and try to fix it rather than having it destroyed for scrap. Once that title is assigned, you can start the rebuilding process. Why a rebuilt title is necessary: You need a rebuilt vehicle title to legally drive or sell a car that’s previously been deemed a salvage vehicle in the state of Florida. This is the only way to certify that the vehicle is once again safe and roadworthy.

 

Applying for a rebuilt title in Florida requires a ton of documentation, so keep this checklist in mind:

• Original Florida title
• Bill of sale and any other proof of ownership documents
• Receipts or bills of sale for all major component parts

 

Once you’ve got your documents together, send them to our office. One of our clerks will review all the documents and make sure that everything’s in order and let you know if anything is missing or let inform you to come in for the inspection. Keep the receipts: Check carefully to make sure that you’ve got receipts to match all the repairs done.

 

Once the car passes its inspection, our check-out team will return your documents, along with the application for title and statement of builder, in a sealed envelope, which you must then bring to your local tax collector office to apply for a rebuilt title. The tax collector’s office will review your application and send your title by mail within a few weeks if approved. We can expedite that process to next day delivery of your new title, for an additional fee. Our goal with this service is to provide one-stop shopping for our customers.