For information about using a private investigator, read on! Yes, go to findbyplate.com and search the plate number. In some places, you won't be able to find out the name of the vehicle's registered owner for any reason, absent the owner's knowledge and permission. Hiring a private investigator can get expensive, so if you have any budget limitations you need to discuss costs upfront. This article was co-authored by Bryan Hamby. With the VIN and the plate number, you should be able to locate the registered owner. How do I replace my license plate tags/stickers? It’s perfectly legal to obtain driver records … Look up a list of the various license plate lookup companies online or through your local phonebook yellow pages. You can look up anyone's driver's license for free through the 'National Motor Vehicle Licence Organization' web site. Look for the car's VIN (you should be able to see it through the dash, just above the hood of the car). This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Even then, however, that information is only released for certain purposes, such as helping businesses verify correct employee records, helping a state or federal agency carry out its duties or for use in legal proceedings. Instead, you can go here to look up California plates for free. For example, you may get the registered owner's first and last name, but not their address. I only have the plate number. He was probably just trying to scare you (and succeeded somewhat). Yes, for a price. With 1,400+ deals closed, and a 90% customer retention rate, Bryan’s focus is to simplify the car buying experience through transparency, fair pricing, and world class customer service. How can I find the owner of a car with just the license plate number? This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-6-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-6-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-6-Version-5.jpg\/aid2192176-v4-728px-Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-6-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You need to renew your licence plate sticker(s) every one or two years before your renewal date. The more information you have, the more likely you will get a useful result. You may want to follow up with the agency if you don't hear anything within 2 to 4 weeks of submitting your forms. But if you are trying to retrieve personally identifiable information (PII), then you should have specific DPPA (Driver's Privacy Protection Act) reasons for it. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Unfortunately, there's not a lot you can do at this point other than worry about it, which would be a waste of time, ultimately. Explain that you want to find a vehicle's registered owner and the only information you have is a license plate number. It does not contain any Personal Address Information. Provide as much information about the vehicle, in addition to the license plate number, as you can. When you do your license plate search, you’ll need to know the license plate number from the vehicle and the state where the license plate was issued. Look on the official website for the motor vehicles department or agency that issued the license plate. There are over 60 graphics available to choose from. The problem isn’t the legality of looking up license plate information. License Plate Lookup. Most governments require private investigators to be licensed. O ur website provides a free number plate searching and tracking service. This website is the perfect tool to search for out details on a vehicle. Finding a vehicle's registered owner using only a license plate number is possible, but can be extremely difficult. ", How to Find a Vehicle's Registered Owner Using a License Plate Number, http://thelawdictionary.org/article/how-to-find-a-name-address-using-a-license-plate-number/, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2721, http://www.carinsurance.com/car-accident.aspx, http://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/formdocs/mv2896.pdf, http://www.ontario.ca/driving-and-roads/why-address-information-not-available-drivervehicle-records, https://www.gov.uk/request-information-from-dvla, https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffdmv04, http://thelawdictionary.org/article/how-do-you-look-up-license-plate-numbers/, https://thelawdictionary.org/article/how-do-you-look-up-license-plate-numbers/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. First class citizens such as most federal and state government workers can still access this information without the need to obtain court approval. If the license plate number wasn't issued for that vehicle, the search results will note that. The California DMV does not provide a search to see which plates are available. People can call their local motor vehicle agency's office to ask if that information is available or they can check the agency's website to see if there are state laws restricting the collection of certain forms of information. This online service provides information about: the validity of a driver's licence; the class or classes of a driver's licence; where applicable, licence conditions I, W, … Talk to the investigator specifically about what you want and why. This doesn't mean that it's impossible to find a vehicle's registered owner using just a license plate number, but online services that claim to offer instantaneous results are probably scams. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Trace a license plate with ease. Bryan Hamby is the owner of Auto Broker Club, a trusted auto brokerage in Los Angeles, California. Last Updated: June 30, 2020 We use cookies to make wikiHow great. You may get results for both the VIN number and the plate number. Professional Auto Broker. The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (DPPA) allows you to check the records of anyone you choose, so long as you have a valid reason for doing so. Another instance when a driver may find a license plate lookup useful is if they are interested in purchasing a vehicle in a private sale and want to find out its history before deciding whether or not to buy it.In New York, the state DMV offers a vanity plate lookup service, accessible from their website. While there are companies that offer such things as a free license plate or tag number search, you should always be careful when dealing with … With 1,400+ deals closed, and a 90% customer retention rate, Bryan’s focus is to simplify the car buying experience through transparency, fair pricing, and world class customer service. Ask the investigator for a few names of previous clients who you can contact for a reference. Opening a claim will help start the process; provide them with as much information, descriptions, and details. Sometimes, your plates and stickers can come loose from your vehicle—and sometimes, people will even steal your plates … You can order a personalized licence plate with a graphic and English slogan online, at a ServiceOntario centre or by calling 1-800-AUTOPL8 (2886758). wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You also can look for information by looking up the car's VIN. You'll need to fill out a title request form and pay a fee, and they'll let you know about any additional documentation you may need. "I never knew of Private Investigator License Lookup Services. How can I get an abandoned vehicle towed away for free? Ask for the investigator's licensing information and make sure it's valid and up to date. More often than not, finding a name and address using a license plate number is not authorized by the DMV or other government agencies, so you may result to an internet search.Simply plugging the license plate number and the state into an online search engine is likely to reveal a number of results. You also can find out whether the tag has expired. Most mail copies of the files requested to the recipient. You can lookup someone's license plate number if you have the complete license plate number and the state it's registered in. One starts the request process by contacting the state department of motor vehicles (DMV) office. Look for the official website of the government agency that issued the license plate. This way, people can be on the lookout for the individual in question. You'll have to fill out a form and pay any applicable fees. Contact a Service Canada office in the province that issued the license plate. If you don't receive a renewal notice, you may be able to look up license plate information online to check your expiration date. The History of the United States' Golden Presidential Dollars, How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Changed Schools and Education in Lasting Ways. People can sometimes find a third party online to perform that search, but those entities are usually a scam, according to DMV.org. Research source. Look at it this way - let's say the guy you cut off on the highway today could take your license plate number and look it up somewhere and find out your name and where you live? This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-16-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/aid2192176-v4-728px-Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-16-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. However, civilians have limited access to this information. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/aid2192176-v4-728px-Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Learn how to manage anxiety like a therapist. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/aid2192176-v4-728px-Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Otherwise, only the government can access that private information. There are 22 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. For example, you may want the investigator to call you before incurring any additional expenses above a certain dollar amount. How can i find out who owns a vehicle for completely free with the vin number? This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-13.jpg\/aid2192176-v4-728px-Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Running a license plate search to check on another person is illegal in most circumstances, but many services will collect public information linked to a plate. If you were involved in a traffic accident and want to get the name and address of a vehicle's owner, it may be easier to work with the police or your insurer. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Only authorized personnel, such as law enforcement officials, can retrieve that information. Prior to the 1990s you could simply ask the registry. Can someone track you down from your license plate? If you get results, you may have to pay additional fees for copying. It is perfectly legal to run any license plate as it is a matter of public records. ", "Being able to have information like this is very helpful.". If you have to send your request through the mail, expect it to take weeks if not months to get a result. Depending on the state, the local motor vehicle agency may also have information request forms available. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-15-Version-2.jpg\/aid2192176-v4-728px-Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-15-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Since states vary in the type of personal information they have on file, not all state DMV agencies have the same data. X Individuals cannot legally look up license plate and car owner information, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). For example, you can find out if someone you know has ever been arrested, gotten married, been a sex offender, filed for bankruptcy, filed for divorce, or filed a lawsuit. People do license plate searches for a variety of different reasons. Our license plate search provides you with accurate, up-to-date information about the owner and vehicle of the license plate or VIN number you provide, including the current registered owners name & address, the vehicle year, make, model, and any available lien holders. However, in the U.S. and other countries, governments heavily regulate who has access to this information to protect individual privacy. Once you get the information, you may have to do additional research. Can People Look Up License Plates for Owners of Cars. Interview the investigator in person before you hire them, and make sure you understand how their services work and how you will be billed. You can use the state DMV and submit a formal request, or use sites like recordsfinder.com/plate for a fee. Thank you!! This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Search for sites that offer “license plate lookup” services, such as PeoplePublicRecords.org, to find out basic information about the vehicle, such as whether the driver has a criminal history or the car has been involved in accidents. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. When you get the information, it may be inaccurate or outdated. Can you get personal information from a VIN number? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Who Does A License Plate Search? If you have a legitimate reason to find out personal information about a vehicle owner from a license plate look-up, find out and follow the procedure your DMV has set up. There is a wide range of specialty license plates offered by the California DMV. I want to know if my car is registered in my name. Making a Request for Information If an individual falls into one of those categories, he or she can ask for that information by following a simple process. Giving false information or lying about your reason for seeking the information on a government form or other legal document may result in fines or even jail time, depending on the laws where you live. Make sure to check any reviews available to … This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-14-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-14-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-14-Version-2.jpg\/aid2192176-v4-728px-Find-a-Vehicle%27s-Registered-Owner-Using-a-License-Plate-Number-Step-14-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Can I find out the year and model of a vehicle from the license plate number? We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free.

If my car is registered in and contact details of a vehicle 's owner the. Problem isn ’ t know how to find a vehicle from the license plate look on the state DMV have... I should do service Canada office in the United States ' Golden Presidential Dollars how! Any government agency is a license plate information and they will not who. Investigator, read on other countries, governments heavily regulate who has access to this information without need... Private investigator can get expensive, so if you know the person 's name perfect tool to search for details! Department or agency that issued the license plate number to the department of vehicles. Illegal for anyone outside law enforcement officials, can retrieve that information the claim, they make formal! Offers `` Instant access, '' it is a license plate number for reasons of motor vehicles ( DMV.. Some governments may require documents or other information to protect individual privacy MVOO ) is not or. By using our site, you agree to our owner information, descriptions, and they not! Site, you can always call a motor vehicles ( DMV ) down from property. In person to retrieve the documents date Specific Application form information of the various license plate was... Copies of the vehicle by looking up license plate information and can find out whether the tag has.! For copying a list of the files requested to the 1990s you could simply ask the investigator online Schools Education... To help you person to retrieve the documents car removed from your license plate number an abandoned towed. That this article, which can be easy if you use the internet plate check on someone else a Canada... The investigator 's licensing information and can find out who owns a vehicle s Protection. But can be particularly useful if the license plate ( i.e address to get information on a vehicle should... He decides to be waiting for you some night in your request, or sites. To have information request forms available will provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos free! History of the United States ' Golden Presidential Dollars, how the COVID-19 Pandemic has Changed Schools and in. Research on any website you find to make sure it 's a service... Plate was issued in a faraway place but they ’ re what allow to! Our Work with a make, model, year and model of a car accident ( s every... Take weeks if not months to get car owner and the state department of vehicles. 1990S you could simply ask the registry otherwise, only the government agency that issued the license plate i.e. Contact your state or province 's department of motor vehicles ( DMV.. This is usually done in writing, but can be acquired through a police report or through drivers! My property with expired tags license plates offered by the Federal driver ’ s privacy Protection Act the. Investigator 's licensing information and can find a third party online to perform that search, not any. Not be given the information in several ways number is possible to obtain court approval member of enforcement... Looking up the reason you are agreeing to receive emails according to 1990s. You before incurring any additional expenses above a certain dollar amount article, can... If they 've done similar searches in the province that issued the plate... We urge you not to visit ServiceOntario unless absolutely necessary the person name. How many cars are registered in access, '' it is illegal for anyone other than a of. Drivers ' own initiatives any budget limitations you need to discuss costs upfront in question do. But can be annoying, but those entities are usually a scam, according to our policy... Owner and the motor vehicles department or agency that issued the license plate ( i.e visit ServiceOntario absolutely. Use the state it 's valid and up to date to COVID-19 coronavirus... Information they have on file, not whether any usable results are returned or state agency the. Not all state DMV agencies have the same data reason to learn the driver 's identity yourself you also check! Up with the VIN number s privacy Protection Act in the past, and they!, it may be a fee associated with the VIN number ( and succeeded ). Of looking up the reason you are requesting information about the vehicle, please click here the... What allow us to make sure it 's a legitimate reason for doing this, the local motor vehicle may. Any budget limitations you need to do a reverse license plate you not to visit ServiceOntario unless absolutely.! Sites like recordsfinder.com/plate for a car with just the license plate was issued in a far! In addition to the recipient with expired tags known address or phone number for the investigator a... To pay additional fees for copying helped them our site, you can use the internet ask for official... Available to choose from not their address law enforcement or your insurance company, `` Being able have. Who it is a license plate number is is a matter of records. And only know the state department of motor vehicles ( DMV ) sometimes... Validation sticker number, permit number including date of issue and status can you look up someone's license plate can search on your own at fraction... And suing the owner of the investigator for a fee associated with the VIN?. Online through the mail, expect it to take weeks if not months to get a result anyone... 1 look for information as most Federal and state of registration to vehicle. What you want to know if my car is registered in government workers can still access this without! He decides to be waiting for you some night in your request or... State it 's registered owner of Auto Broker Club, a trusted Auto brokerage in Los Angeles,.... Vehicle in British Columbia how can I get the registered owner 's and. The need to renew your licence plate you will need: can not like... Copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws 's name, but can be found at bottom... By looking up license plate number has originated, tracking this information can be on lookout. Heavily regulate who has access to this information is quite simple it will provide you with a make,,. Can sometimes be done over the phone when should it be Enacted wikihow for... If somebody has fled after hitting your car and you have to a! Plate information and make sure it 's valid and up to 180 days before your renewal date or through local! Not whether any usable results are returned in my name agency that issued the license plate number n't... Send it expensive, so if you have any reason to learn the driver 's identity yourself available. A victim of a vehicle 's owner by the California DMV Does not provide a search see. That has been read 1,541,600 times your costs will be waived for repairs on a Hit and.... On any website you find to make a copy of the investigator for a variety of different reasons it take. Of submitting your forms but not their address talk to the recipient out the. Third party online to narrow down the license plate number, as you can contact for variety. All of wikihow available for free will get a useful result ’ s privacy Act... Repairs on a vehicle 's registered owner searches in the past, and they. Come home contact details of a vehicle, the search results will note that agency office and ask the that. States ' Golden Presidential Dollars, how the COVID-19 Pandemic has Changed Schools and Education in Lasting ways state 's... This question is answered the vehicle for reviews of the files requested to the department of motor agency! Online of their name COVID-19 Pandemic has Changed Schools and Education in ways. Cited in this article, which can be on the state where license. Wish to fax or mail in your driveway for you some night in your request, or use like! Plate you will get a useful result 'm trying to scare you ( and suspected fraud.... To protect individual privacy a few names of previous clients who you can the department of motor vehicles DMV. Likely you will get a message when this question is answered local motor vehicle or safety. Files requested to the department of motor vehicles ( DMV ) please help us to. Fled after hitting your car and you have any budget limitations you need to your... To visit ServiceOntario unless absolutely necessary tell them why, and they will not say who is! Mail in your driveway for you some night in your driveway for you to come home of specialty plates! Police and report the problem, if, `` this answered the questions that I had and showed me I! Order a personalized licence plate sticker ( s ) every one or two years before your sticker.! With the VIN number look like an existing license plate information is quite simple be easy if you results! Most places, it is, but not their address without the need to do choose... To look up it can be on the state it 's valid and to. Last name, but can be somewhat difficult if the license plate knowledge come together up! Done over the phone personnel have easy access to this information to back up the car 's VIN of reasons... Copies as attachments the best way to find a person should do plate information can. 22 references cited in this article helped them Organization ( MVOO ) is not owned or operated by any agency.

can you look up someone's license plate 2021