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
What is an Electronic Title?
An electronic title is a title that exists only in electronic form on our database. An e-title is just as legal as a paper title pursuant to Section 319.24, Florida Statutes.
With e-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. 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. The title will then remain electronic until a request for paper title is received. Owners with e-titles can request a paper title through the Department's
Virtual Office website. There is a service fee of $2.50 to convert an e-title to paper. Owners can also obtain a paper title immediately at a tax collector office that offers same day title printing for $10.00.
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.