Statement From Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez: Anyone Using Fraudulent Documents To Obtain A Driver License Or ID Card Risks Criminal Prosecution, Revocation, and Immigration Consequences

Our office has recently identified individuals attempting to obtain Florida driver licenses and identification cards using fraudulent documents, including falsified utility bills, false proof of address, and other fraudulent records.

Let me be clear: anyone who presents fraudulent documentation as part of the driver license or identification card process is violating Florida law. Every case involving suspected fraud is being referred to the appropriate authorities for investigation and potential criminal prosecution.

Florida law provides serious penalties for those who knowingly use false or fraudulent documents to obtain a government-issued credential. These violations may result in criminal charges, arrest, fines, imprisonment, and, for some individuals, potential consequences affecting immigration matters.

I also want to remind everyone that a driver license is not a right; it is a privilege.

If that credential was obtained through false documents, falsified utility bills, a fraudulent address, or false information, it can be canceled or revoked. The individual may also be referred to law enforcement and face criminal charges under state or federal law.

Do not risk losing your driving privilege, your freedom, or your future by attempting to deceive the system.

I want to thank our dedicated team members for their professionalism, vigilance, and commitment to protecting the integrity of the process. Their attention to detail helps ensure that these credentials are issued only to those who lawfully qualify for them.

Our office utilizes advanced technology and verification systems designed to detect fraudulent documents, identify inconsistencies, and prevent abuse of the system. Individuals attempting to deceive the process should understand that these tools are working every day to identify fraud and protect the integrity of our services.

We are also working closely with our state partners at the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and our law enforcement partners to identify fraudulent activity, investigate violations, and hold offenders accountable.

The message is simple: bring legitimate documents, provide truthful information, and follow the law. Attempting to obtain a driver license or identification card through fraud is not worth risking your freedom, your future, or your family’s future.

Fraud will not be tolerated in Miami-Dade County.

God bless Miami-Dade County, and God bless the United States of America.

Dariel Fernandez
Miami-Dade County Tax Collector