NOTICE:  The information below was obtained directly from the Division of Motorist Services (DMS).

FAST FACTS  

  • If you are the victim of title fraud, you may only place an administrative stop on a Florida Title if you have a court order.
  • Stop will prevent any title action until the stop is removed.
  • Placing and Removing Administrative Stops is addressed in DMS Procedure TL-24.

The following is taken directly from DMS Procedure TL-24:

DESCRIPTION:

This procedure provides information and instructions to guide employees and agents of the department in requesting an administrative stop to be added or removed from a specific Florida title.

DEFINITION:

Administrative stop: A computer entry to a specific title record, based upon a court order, which prevents further title action from being processed until the stop is removed.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITES:

A. To place or remove an administrative stop:
1. A court order must be submitted to the department using ONE of the following methods:

a. The tax collector office or license plate agency may fax or email the court order to the Bureau of Motorist Compliance/MV Stops section on behalf of its requester
The fax number is (850) 617-3946
The email address is AdminStop@flhsmv.gov
b. 1. The requester may fax or email their court order to the fax number or email address provided above,
or
2. The requester may mail their court order to the department at the following address:

Division of Motorist Services
ATTN: Administrative Stop Request
2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS # 98
Tallahassee, FL 32399
2. The court order must be signed by a Judge and contain either the vehicle title number or vehicle identification number and state the reason the Judge is ordering the department to place an administrative stop on the vehicle. The request must also provide the name, mailing address, and telephone number for the requester.
3. Once the request is received, within 48 hours the department will place an administrative stop on the record.
4. The department will generate a letter of acknowledgment to the person requesting the stop. The letter will advise that the stop will remain in effect until subsequent or final direction is issued from the court.

Reference:  DMS Procedure TL-24