Florida DACS Mover License Registry in 2026 Lookup Guide
How to verify any Florida mover in 5 minutes via the FDACS license registry in 2026: lookup steps, IM number check, and red-flag patterns.
Last Updated: June 2026
TL;DR: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) runs the public Check-A-License registry at fdacs.gov. Verify any Florida intrastate mover in five minutes by searching the company name or IM number, confirming Active status, checking the bond filing, and cross-referencing FMCSA at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) sets the rules for every intrastate household goods mover in the state. The agency keeps a public license registry at fdacs.gov under the Check-A-License tool. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the rules for moves that cross state lines. A five-minute lookup on both sites confirms a Florida mover is legal. The IM number is the letters IM and four digits, like IM2839. An Active status means the carrier may book and run a Florida intrastate move today.
Safebound Moving and Storage holds FL IM2839 with Active status on the FDACS Check-A-License tool. Safebound also holds USDOT 2900155 and MC 975408 for interstate work. Safebound has run 35,000+ moves since 2016. The firm holds a 4.9 star rating across 2,401 reviews. The carrier runs trained and background-checked crews from a 100,000 square foot facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. Every estimate lists the FDACS and FMCSA numbers, so a client can verify each one before signing.
The five takeaways below frame each step of a Florida mover license verification in under five minutes.
Key Takeaways
FDACS vs FMCSA: FDACS regulates Florida intrastate moves under FL IM rules. FMCSA regulates interstate moves under USDOT and MC authority.
Check-A-License: The public registry sits at fdacs.gov under Consumer Services. A search by company name or IM number returns license status in seconds.
IM Number Format: A Florida intrastate moving license starts with IM and four digits, such as IM2839 for Safebound. The number must appear on every estimate and bill of lading.
Bond Floor: FDACS sets a surety bond floor of $35,000 to $50,000 for Florida intrastate household goods movers, filed before the license is granted.
Renewal Window: The Florida mover license cycle runs from October 1 to September 30 each year. Expired status means the firm missed the annual renewal.
The seven sections below map each step of the FDACS lookup, the FMCSA cross-check, and the red-flag patterns that point to an unlicensed Florida operator.
What Is the FDACS Mover License Registry?
The FDACS mover license registry is the public database the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services keeps for every intrastate household goods mover in the state. The registry sits at fdacs.gov under the Check-A-License tool. The tool returns license status, the legal business name, the address on file, the bond data, and any complaint or action history. A search by company name or IM number takes under one minute.
Every Florida intrastate mover must sign up with FDACS before booking a move that starts and ends inside Florida. The license confirms that the firm has filed a surety bond, posted proof of cargo insurance, and met the state safety rules. Safebound's intrastate movers Florida page lists FL IM2839 with Active status, so a client can verify the license in real time before signing the paperwork.
How Do You Verify a Florida Mover in Five Minutes?
The five-minute flow runs in five clean steps. First, open fdacs.gov in a browser, pick Consumer Services, and click the Check-A-License tool. Second, search by the company legal name or the IM number the firm lists on its website. Third, confirm the status reads Active. A status of Suspended, Revoked, or Expired is a hard stop. Fourth, check the bond filing line on the record to confirm the firm has posted the required surety bond. Fifth, cross-check the carrier at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov if the firm also runs interstate loads.
The FDACS record also shows the agent of record, the legal address, and any past license actions. A clean record with no recent complaints and an active bond is the green light. Safebound posts FL IM2839 on every estimate and on the local moves page. A client can run the lookup before any deposit is paid. The same flow works for any Florida mover the client is comparing.
What Do FDACS Status Labels Mean?
The Check-A-License tool returns one of four status labels on every record. Active means the firm holds a current license and may legally book and run intrastate moves in Florida today. Suspended means FDACS has paused the license over an open issue, such as a missed bond filing or an open complaint. Revoked means the agency has pulled the license, so the firm cannot legally book a Florida intrastate move. Expired means the firm missed the annual renewal window.
The table below maps each status label to what the client should do next. The data comes straight from the Check-A-License tool and the Florida statutes that govern intrastate household goods movers. Read the label as the first signal before any other check on the record.
| FDACS Status | What It Means | Client Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Active | License is current and in good standing | Move to bond and FMCSA cross-check |
| Suspended | License is paused over an open issue | Ask the firm for resolution proof; otherwise walk |
| Revoked | License has been pulled by the agency | Hard stop; do not sign or pay a deposit |
| Expired | License lapsed past the September 30 renewal | Hard stop until renewal is filed and approved |
An Active status is the only label that clears the firm for legal intrastate work in Florida. A client who sees any other label should pause the booking and ask the firm to show proof of resolution before any deposit is paid.
What Is the FDACS Bond and Insurance Requirement?
FDACS sets a surety bond floor of $35,000 to $50,000 for every Florida intrastate household goods mover. The bond is filed before the license is granted. It stays on file through every annual renewal. The bond is a backstop fund a client can claim against if the firm fails to pay a verified damage or loss claim. The bond filing line shows on the Check-A-License record, so a client can confirm the filing is current in the same lookup.
FDACS also asks for proof of cargo insurance on every licensed Florida intrastate mover. The insurance covers loss or damage to household goods in transit under the bill of lading. A firm without active bond and insurance filings cannot keep an Active license status. Safebound files both records on time each year and posts the proof on every quote. See the moving valuation coverage page for the cargo claim and protection options on every Florida move.
How Do You Cross-Reference FMCSA for Interstate Moves?
A Florida mover that runs loads across state lines needs an active USDOT number from FMCSA on top of the FDACS license. The lookup sits at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov under the Company Snapshot tool. Type the carrier name or USDOT number into the search box. The result page returns legal name, address, operating status, entity type, and the safety record. Operating Status should read Authorized for Household Goods.
The Entity Type line shows whether the firm is a Carrier, a Broker, or both. A Carrier hauls the load on its own trucks. A Broker books the move and hands it to a separate licensed carrier under 49 CFR Part 371. Safebound holds USDOT 2900155 and MC 975408 with Carrier status active for household goods. The carrier also holds a registered broker license for vehicle shipping. See the interstate movers page for the federal license data and the long-distance moves page for route coverage.
When Does FDACS Renew Florida Mover Licenses?
The Florida mover license cycle runs from October 1 to September 30 each year. Every licensed Florida intrastate mover must file a renewal form, an updated bond, and proof of cargo insurance before the September 30 deadline. FDACS reviews the renewal package and updates the Check-A-License record once the package is cleared. A firm that files late lands in Expired status until the renewal clears.
An Expired status on a Florida mover record is a hard stop for any new booking. The firm cannot legally book or run an intrastate move while the license is lapsed. A client who pulls the Check-A-License record in October and sees Expired status should ask the firm for an update before any deposit is paid. Safebound files the renewal package early each year and keeps FL IM2839 on Active status through every cycle.
What Red Flags Point to an Unlicensed Florida Mover?
The first red flag is a missing IM number on the firm's website, ads, or written estimate. A Florida intrastate mover that hides the IM number is hiding the license check. The second red flag is a Suspended, Revoked, or Expired status on the Check-A-License record. The third red flag is a cluster of recent complaints filed against the firm with FDACS. That signals a system problem and not a one-off mistake.
Other warning signs include a cash-only deposit demand, a refusal to give a written estimate after a visual inventory, a generic rental truck on move day, and an address that traces to a mail drop or apartment. The Federal Trade Commission and FMCSA both list these as core scam markers. Safebound writes price-locked estimates with clear pricing and no hidden fees, which removes the main trigger for a price dispute. For a deeper read on scam markers, see how to spot a fake mover.
7 Steps to Verify a Florida Mover on the FDACS Registry
Open the Check-A-License tool: Go to fdacs.gov in any browser. Pick Consumer Services, then click Check-A-License. The tool covers movers, telemarketers, and other state-licensed business types.
Search by name or IM number: Type the company legal name or the IM number into the search box. A blank result means the firm is not licensed in Florida for intrastate household goods moves.
Confirm Active status: The status line is the first item on the record. Active is the only label that clears the firm. Suspended, Revoked, or Expired is a hard stop.
Check the bond filing line: Scroll to the bond and insurance section of the record. Confirm the surety bond is filed and current, with cargo insurance proof on file for the cycle.
Cross-reference FMCSA at SAFER: If the firm also runs interstate loads, open safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and run the USDOT number. Confirm Operating Status reads Authorized for Household Goods and Entity Type matches the role.
Pull the complaint history: Review the recent complaints section on the FDACS record. Three or more complaints in the past 12 months is a strong warning sign on any small or mid-size carrier.
Save a screenshot of the record: Capture the Check-A-License page as proof of the lookup date. Keep it with the estimate and bill of lading until the move closes out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FDACS Florida mover license registry?
The FDACS mover license registry is the public database the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services keeps for every licensed intrastate household goods mover in the state. The registry sits at fdacs.gov under the Check-A-License tool. The tool returns license status, address, bond filing, and any complaint history on a Florida mover.
How do I verify a Florida mover in five minutes?
Open fdacs.gov, click Consumer Services, and pick the Check-A-License tool. Search by the firm's legal name or IM number. Confirm the status reads Active. Check the bond and insurance lines. Cross-reference the carrier at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov if the firm runs interstate loads. The full flow runs in under five minutes.
What does an IM number look like for a Florida mover?
An IM number is the letter IM followed by four digits, such as IM2839 for Safebound Moving and Storage. FDACS assigns the number on license approval. The number must appear on the firm's estimate, bill of lading, and trucks. A blank IM number on the paperwork is a clear sign the firm is not licensed in Florida.
What does Suspended or Revoked status mean?
Suspended means FDACS has paused the firm's license over an open issue, such as a missed bond filing or an open complaint. Revoked means the agency has pulled the license. A firm with either label cannot legally book or run an intrastate household goods move in Florida. Both labels are a hard stop on any new booking.
What is the FDACS bond requirement for Florida movers?
FDACS sets a surety bond floor of $35,000 to $50,000 for every Florida intrastate household goods mover. The bond is filed before the license is granted and stays on file through every annual renewal. The bond is a backstop fund that a client can claim against if the firm fails to pay a verified damage or loss claim.
When does the Florida mover license renew each year?
The Florida mover license cycle runs from October 1 to September 30. Every licensed firm must file a renewal application, an updated bond, and proof of cargo insurance before the September 30 deadline. A firm that misses the deadline lands in Expired status until the renewal package clears with FDACS.
What is the difference between FDACS and FMCSA?
FDACS regulates Florida intrastate moves that start and end inside the state under FL IM rules. FMCSA regulates interstate moves that cross state lines under USDOT and MC authority. A carrier that runs both kinds of moves needs an active license at each agency. Safebound holds FL IM2839, USDOT 2900155, and MC 975408 for full coverage.
What red flags point to an unlicensed Florida mover?
The top red flags are a missing IM number on the firm's website or estimate, a Suspended or Revoked status on Check-A-License, a cash-only deposit demand, and a refusal to provide a written estimate after a visual inventory. A cluster of three or more complaints in the past 12 months is a separate warning sign on any small carrier.
Does Safebound hold an active FDACS license?
Yes. Safebound holds FL IM2839 with Active status on the FDACS Check-A-License tool. The carrier also holds USDOT 2900155 and MC 975408 with the FMCSA. Every estimate lists each number, so a client can verify the license at fdacs.gov and the federal authority at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before any deposit is paid.
Ready to Book a Verified, Licensed Florida Mover?
A Florida mover with an Active FDACS license, a current bond filing, and clean FMCSA authority is the right starting point for any intrastate or interstate move. Call 561-510-7191 for a written, price-locked estimate with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. Visit Safebound Moving and Storage to lock in crew time slots and your preferred move date. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30amâ9pm | Sat-Sun 10amâ6pm.
People Also Read
Why Florida Movers Need FDACS Licenses: What Intrastate Moving Really Means
How to Vet a Moving Company in 10 Minutes (The Background Check Scammers Can't Pass)
Sources & References
Safebound Moving & Storage is licensed, insured, and certified throughout Florida and the continental United States. USDOT 2900155 | MC 975408 | FL IM2839. BBB Accredited. Forbes Featured. Verify at fdacs.gov or safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
About the Author
Leo Cavaretta | Moving Industry Specialist, Safebound Moving & Storage
Leo Cavaretta is a moving industry specialist at Safebound Moving & Storage, a licensed carrier based in West Palm Beach, Florida (USDOT 2900155). Leo specializes in interstate moving regulations, USDOT compliance, residential relocation, and moving cost transparency, helping customers navigate the full moving process, from written, price-locked estimates with transparent pricing and no hidden fees to long-distance logistics, with confidence. Since 2016, Safebound has completed more than 35,000 residential and commercial relocations across all 50 states. Safebound holds USDOT 2900155, MC 975408, and FL IM2839, and is BBB Accredited. Get a free quote or learn about Safebound Moving & Storage.
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