Florida HSMV Form 87307 Confidential Registration Guide – Florida HSMV Form 87307 is the official Application for “Confidential” Registration issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). This form allows eligible government agencies to register vessels under a fictitious name and address, protecting the identity of the true owner for official law enforcement and related purposes.
Authorized under Florida Statute 320.025, confidential registration helps conceal publicly owned or leased vessels used in activities that require operational security. The current version of the form is HSMV 87307 (Rev. 12/11) and is available for download from the official FLHSMV website.
What Is Florida HSMV Form 87307?
Form HSMV 87307 is specifically designed for vessel (boat) registration under confidential status. It is not for private citizens or standard recreational vessels. The form collects agency information, detailed vessel data, supporting ownership documentation, and the fictitious name and address that will appear on the registration certificate.
According to the official form and Florida law, the Department may modify its records to reflect the fictitious identity of the owner or lessee until the registration certificate and any related decals are surrendered.
You can download the official PDF directly here: Florida HSMV Form 87307 – Application for Confidential Registration.
Who Is Eligible to Use Form 87307?
Eligibility is strictly limited by Florida Statute 320.025. A confidential registration certificate and registration number/decal may be issued under a fictitious name only for a vessel owned or operated by:
- A law enforcement agency of state, county, municipal, or federal government
- The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
- Any state public defender’s office
- Any criminal conflict and civil regional counsel office
The requesting agency must submit a written application stating that the registration will be used for activities requiring concealment of publicly owned or leased vessels, along with a statement of the position classifications of individuals authorized to use the vessel.
Private individuals, businesses, and most other government entities do not qualify for confidential registration under this form.
Key Sections of Form HSMV 87307
The form is divided into clear sections that must be completed accurately:
- Agency Information – Name and address of the agency applying for confidential status, notary section, and signature of the authorized applicant with title.
- Vessel Information – Manufacturer, model year, length, Hull Identification Number (HIN), hull material (wood, aluminum, steel, fiberglass, etc.), propulsion type (outboard, inboard, sail, etc.), and fuel type.
- Documentation Checklist – Indicate enclosed items such as Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin, title number, Florida registration number, or certified court order.
- Fictitious Name and Address – The name, birthdate (if applicable), and address that will appear on the registration.
The reverse side of the form lists required documentation based on whether the vessel is new or used.
Required Documentation for Confidential Vessel Registration
FLHSMV requires supporting ownership documents. Submit as much documentation as available:
For a new vessel:
- Properly completed Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) if purchased in one of the listed states (including Florida, many other U.S. states, and the District of Columbia), or
- A bill of sale or equivalent if purchased in a state not listed on the form.
For a used vessel:
- Florida registration (if applicable)
- Hull Identification Number
- Previously issued title (properly assigned, if applicable)
- Certified copy of applicable court order or final order of judgment
- Previous owner’s name
All applications must be notarized. Incomplete applications or missing documentation will delay processing.
How to Download and Submit Florida Form 87307?
Follow these steps to complete the process:
- Download the official form from the FLHSMV website: Download HSMV 87307 PDF.
- Complete all applicable sections. Ensure the agency information, vessel details, and fictitious name/address are accurate.
- Have the authorized agency representative sign the form in the presence of a notary public.
- Gather all required supporting documents listed on the reverse side of the form.
- Submit the completed package to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Division of Motorist Services, Bureau of Issuance Oversight, at the address shown on the form (2900 Apalachee Parkway, Neil Kirkman Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0518), or follow current agency-specific submission instructions provided by FLHSMV.
For the most current forms list and related vessel procedures, visit the official FLHSMV Forms page.
Legal Protections and Public Records Exemption
Under Florida Statute 320.025(3), all records relating to the registration application of eligible agencies for confidential (fictitious name) registration are exempt from public records disclosure under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, and Article I, Section 24(a) of the Florida Constitution, for as long as the information is retained by the Department.
This exemption supports the legitimate need for operational security in law enforcement and related official activities while maintaining an exception to statutes concerning falsification of public records when used for authorized purposes.
Important Notes and Related Forms
Form 87307 is vessel-specific. Government agencies seeking standard (non-confidential) vessel registration should refer to Form HSMV 87244 (Application to Register Non-Titled Vessels) or the appropriate title application (HSMV 82040 VS) as outlined in FLHSMV vessel procedures.
Confidential registration does not exempt the vessel from other applicable Florida vessel laws, safety requirements, or fee structures unless specifically provided by statute. Agencies should consult current FLHSMV procedures and their legal counsel for compliance.
Always verify information with official sources, as forms and procedures can be updated. The official download link remains: https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/87307.pdf.