Electronic
Lien and Title System
What is the ELT System?
The electronic lien and title system allows lienholders to reduce the handling, storage and mailing costs associated with paper titles by replacing them with electronic titles. Lienholders who join the program will enjoy not having to:
- retrieve a title from a conventional file when the lien has been satisfied.
- physically satisfy (sign off) a lien on a title.
- mail a title to a customer.
- apply for a duplicate title to replace a lost title.
Additionally, electronic lienholder customers who have satisfied their loan obligations will receive clear titles without having to resubmit their titles to the Department if they wish to have a title that shows no lien after it has been satisfied.
What is an Electronic Title?
An electronic title is a title that exists only in electronic form on our database. An electronic title is just as legal as a paper title pursuant to Section 319.24, Florida Statutes.
With electronic titles, lien notifications and releases are transmitted electronically between the Department and the lienholder. No paper title certificate exists, thus it is referred to as an "electronic title."
How does the Electronic Lien and Title System Work?
The same title documents required to apply for a paper title are also required for an electronic title. These documents are submitted in the same manner, either through a Tax Collector's office or the Department's Direct Mail Center. Title documents will be entered into the Department's computer system and are handled and examined the same as if paper titles were to be issued. The change will occur when the title is ready to be issued. Instead of issuing a paper title certificate, an electronic notification will be sent to the lienholder.
When an electronic lien is satisfied, a lien satisfaction will be sent electronically to the Department. If no other electronic liens or paper liens exist, a free and clear paper certificate of title is printed and mailed to the owner or insurance company (if directed by the lienholder). A mailing address other than the address of record for the paper title can be specified by the lienholder. In lieu of the Department printing the title, ELT participants can opt to direct that the title be printed at any Tax Collector Fast Title office.
A lienholder may choose to utilize a third party service provider for software and record management needs. When perfecting liens, a lienholder using a third party service provider will send loan information to the service provider. Then, the Department will send electronic title and lien notifications to the third party service provider, where the transactions will be matched and records maintained. When the lien(s) are being satisfied, the third party service provider will forward lien satisfactions from the lienholder to the Department and will receive an electronic confirmation from the Department. A third party service provider also provides reporting services for a lienholder.
What are the benefits of the Electronic Lien and Title System?
- Reduces title fraud.
- Reduction of title paper usage.
- Faster notification of lien satisfactions.
- Reduction in storage of title documents.
- Access to expedited title printing.
- Better customer service.
- Reduced costs.
How can a Lienholder become an ELT Participant?
Contact:Gary Elmore, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS # 60, Tallahassee, FL. 32399
GaryElmore@flhsmv.gov
Click on the link below for a list of current ELT participants: http://www.flhsmv.gov/Intranet/DMV/Bulletins/ELT_List.htm
NOTE: If you are not inquiring about becoming an ELT Participant but have general title and registration questions, please call our Customer Service Center at (850)617-2000 or contact your local tax collector office.
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