how to find vin number on car

How to Find Out Who Owns a Car by a VIN Number

by Stephanie Ellen

yellow car, a honda japanese sport car model image by alma_sacra from Fotolia.com

If you want to find out who owns a vehicle, you can find out some information using the vehicle identification number (VIN). Information about who owns a vehicle is protected by the Driver's Privacy Protection Act; if you want to receive ownership information about a particular vehicle then you must have a valid reason for obtaining the information. Examples of valid reasons include vehicle theft or transfer of ownership into your name. You may also be able to obtain driver information in connection with an accident.

Step 1

Visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and ask for a Request for Information form. You may be able to obtain this form at your state's DMV website.

Step 2

Fill out the form completely. You'll need to supply your name, address, the VIN number of the vehicle and other identifying information.

Sign the form and attach the fee, if applicable. For example, the State of Oregon charges $1.50 to provide driver address information.

References

Things You'll Need

Request for Information form

Warnings

Check your state laws before filling out a Request for Information form; obtaining personal information without a valid reason may be a prosecutable crime.

Writer Bio

Stephanie Ellen teaches mathematics and statistics at the university and college level. She coauthored a statistics textbook published by Houghton-Mifflin. She has been writing professionally since 2008. Ellen holds a Bachelor of Science in health science from State University New York, a master's degree in math education from Jacksonville University and a Master of Arts in creative writing from National University.