What is a VIN verification, and which HSMV form do I need?
HSMV 82042 verifies the VIN and odometer. HSMV 82053 authorizes someone else to handle title or pickup on your behalf. EMC notarizes both, using the actual current HSMV form.
A VIN verification confirms a vehicle's identification number and odometer reading match its title, most often needed for an out-of-state vehicle being titled in Florida. A notary public can perform it in person, using HSMV form 82042, without requiring a law enforcement inspection for routine cases.
VIN verification (HSMV 82042)
Needed most often for an out-of-state vehicle being titled in Florida, a rebuilt/salvage title, or a title discrepancy the tax collector's office flagged. Florida law lets a notary public verify a VIN for routine cases without a law enforcement inspection.
Physical inspection of the VIN plate against the title/registration paperwork — in person only, since the notary has to see the actual vehicle.
Odometer reading recorded at the time of inspection.
Completion of HSMV 82042 with the verified VIN, odometer reading, and notarization.
Signed form ready to submit with the title application at the tax collector's office.
- Vehicle available for physical inspection (EMC travels to it)
- Current title or registration paperwork on hand
- Government-issued photo ID for the requester
- Confirm with your county tax collector's office whether your specific title situation needs anything beyond the standard 82042 (salvage titles sometimes do)
Vehicle pickup / power of attorney authorization (HSMV 82053)
Authorizes someone else — family member, dealership rep, shipping/transport agent — to sign title documents, complete registration, or pick up a vehicle and its title on your behalf. An official HSMV form; EMC notarizes the owner's signature, not the form's content.
Confirm the correct current HSMV 82053 form matches the specific transaction (title transfer vs. registration vs. physical pickup can call for different handling by the receiving tag office).
Verify the vehicle owner's identity against government-issued photo ID.
Notarize the owner's signature per the form's requirements.
Hand back the completed form, ready to present at the tag agency or to the dealership/transport company.
- Vehicle title or registration info (VIN, plate number) on hand
- Exact task confirmed (pickup only, title transfer, registration) since some tag offices want matching wording
- Government-issued photo ID for the vehicle owner
- If for international shipment, confirm whether the receiving party also needs the form apostilled
What EMC does not do
We don't determine which HSMV form fits an unusual title situation (a lien in dispute, a probate/inherited vehicle, a commercial fleet transfer); those go back to the tax collector's office or your attorney. We verify what's in front of us and notarize what's required.
I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Florida, and I may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is a VIN verification?
A physical inspection confirming a vehicle's identification number and odometer reading match its title, completed on Florida form HSMV 82042 by an authorized official, including a notary public, for most routine cases.
Can a VIN verification be done remotely?
No. HSMV 82042 requires physical inspection of the vehicle and the VIN plate, so this one is in-person only, though EMC travels to the vehicle rather than requiring you to bring it anywhere.
What is HSMV 82053 used for?
It's a power of attorney form that lets you authorize someone else — a family member, dealership representative, or transport agent — to sign title documents, complete registration, or pick up a vehicle on your behalf.
Does the pickup authorization form need witnesses?
Requirements vary by the receiving tag agency and the specific transaction. EMC confirms the current requirement for your form and situation before the signing, not after.
Can EMC notarize a bill of sale in the same appointment?
Yes, a standard vehicle bill of sale is a straightforward acknowledgment and can be handled alongside a VIN verification or pickup authorization if needed.
Which form do I need — 82042 or 82053?
82042 is for verifying the VIN and odometer itself. 82053 is for authorizing someone else to handle title, registration, or pickup on your behalf. Tell EMC what you're trying to accomplish and we'll confirm the right one before booking.
Related templates
Download the Vehicle & DMV Notarization Packet
Official HSMV 82042 and 82053 form links, the inspection checklist, and county-specific notes, in one PDF.
Get the free vehicle/DMV packet →