VIN Lookup
Enter a VIN number to find ownership history & more!
There are situations where you need to check a vehicle’s owner information, especially when it comes to buying a used car. Learning more about the particular vehicle you’re planning to purchase is more than necessary as you could possibly end up buying a car from someone who’s NOT the real owner.
That’s where a VIN lookup comes in handy. Apart from identifying the owner of the car, a VIN lookup can provide you with tons of detailed information about the vehicle that can help you make the right decision. Keep reading and you’ll find out how to quickly and legally search for owner information of a vehicle using just a VIN number.
Table of contents
What’s a VIN number?
A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a 17-digit code of characters and numbers, used as the unique identifier of modern vehicles.
Depending on a vehicle’s brand and model, a VIN can typically be found on the driver’s side door jamb, the driver’s side dashboard, the steering wheel, the engine block, or in the spare tire well, etc.
What information can you search for using just a VIN?
When you run a VIN lookup, what you get may actually be more than expected:
- Ownership history
- Accident history
- Theft records
- Sale listing history
- Market value
- Vehicle specifications
- Salvage records
- Recalls and warranties
- Ownership cost
- And more…
How to look up ownership info & detailed vehicle history by VIN?
It may seem difficult at first sight, but searching for vehicle details such as ownership information can be quite easy. You can simply take advantage of professional online vehicle lookup tools. And one of the best VIN lookup sites out there is definitely BeenVerified.
BeenVerified is an expert in vehicle lookup, with a large database (over 150 MM vehicles) that is updated constantly. In the past 15 years, the site has been offering to the general public an easy and efficient way to access different kinds of public records.
Now just follow the instructions below to start your search:
1. Type the 17-digit VIN number into the search box below. Then click the Search Now button.
VIN Lookup
Enter any VIN number to find its owner & more!
2. Wait for BeenVerified to search its millions of vehicle records in its database. After a few seconds you’ll get a full report that contains all the available data on this particular vehicle.
In fact, BeenVerified offers 7 different features in total: People Search, Reverse Phone Lookup, Reverse Email Search, Reverse Address Lookup, Username Search, Unclaimed Money Search, and Vehicle Lookup. You could, for example, use the site to learn more about the car dealer with a name or a phone number.
How to look up owner details (name & address) of a car
It’s important to note that federal law, specifically the Drivers Protection and Privacy Act of 1994, restricts access to vehicle owner information without a legitimate reason. This makes perfect sense, as misusing this information can have serious consequences. However, if you do have a legitimate reason, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can help.
Your local DMV acts as a central hub for vehicle records, and they can provide you with the owner’s name as long as you have a good reason and follow the proper procedures. Each state has its own DMV website with different procedures, so just search “state + DMV” on Google to find the right one.
Most DMV websites have a section dedicated to vehicle record searches. It might be called “Vehicle Registration”, “Records”, “Title Services” or “Public Vehicle Records.”
The specific procedures, such as whether to submit the request online, by mail, or in person, vary by state. Be sure to refer to the website for detailed instructions.
In California, for instance, online requests and completion are only allowed for individuals seeking their own vehicle or vessel registration record. To request another person’s record, you’ll need to download a form to request a copy of another person’s driver or vehicle/vessel records. You should also include a check or money order for the $5 fee (only online requests are $2) and mail the completed form and payment to the address provided on the form.
The mail-in form typically requires requester information, the target vehicle’s plate/VIN (and optionally, make/year), and more. Since it involves another individual’s sensitive data, you’ll need to specify your DPPA-compliant reason for looking up the record.
Hopefully this post can help you get the information you need to learn more about a particular car and better make your decision. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to drop a line in the comment area below.
The methods in this article provide you with easy access to public record information, but without a guarantee for accuracy and may include links to websites not listed as a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA). Information acquired from these bodies is illegal to be used for employment, housing, credit, and other purposes alike, according to laws such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). If you’re not sure whether your use of our methods is appropriate, click here for details.