How To Find Out What Car Is Registered In Someone's Name

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A few states still give vehicle title information to private parties, well-nigh oftentimes through that state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Otherwise, give the license number to your insurance company or police department. They tin can access the DMV database without brake.

Some Identification Obstacles

Not all states provide the name of a vehicle'south registered owner upon the request of a private party. Washington Country, for instance, specifically refuses such information when the search is related to an accident, such as a striking-and-run.

There are several reasons for this refusal, one of the more compelling existence that providing the information can assistance a stalker or an abusive one-time domestic partner locate a victim. Increasingly, states tend to provide this information only to law departments and insurance companies.

How to Get Title Information

State Departments of Motor Vehicles go on comprehensive databases of vehicle buying. When a state does release that information to the general public, it's bachelor through the state DMV or some other agency responsible for vehicle licensing.

Getting the information is different in each state. but begins with an net search for the information from your state DMV or related agency. In order to avoid being overwhelmed by private party ads masking every bit state agencies, be very specific with search terms. For example "owner of vehicle with license plate ____" results in dozens of private party offers, some potentially bogus. Instead, search for "State of (land name) Department of Motor Vehicles title search."

Withal, in many cases, as in Texas, your search may conclude in a detect that the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) prevents y'all from seeing that information.

A Way Around the Problem

Fortunately, although DMVs may not release the data to you, they have well-established lines of communication with police departments and insurance companies and will release the driver's name and other information to them.

If you lot have the license plate number of a hitting-and-run driver, for example, giving that information to your insurance company in your blow study allows it to identify both the vehicle owner and that owner's insurance visitor through the DMV. At that point, the process no longer requires your involvement.

You can also file an blow report with the governing agency, either local police force, sheriff's section or highway patrol. They, too, can see whatever data the DMV may have and take appropriate action.