How to Check Car Registrations

You can locate registration information for a car.

Every state requires car owners to register their vehicles with the county in which they live. If you want to check a vehicle's registration, you need to gather information on the vehicle itself. Write down the license plate number and make a note of the county listed on the license plate. Jot down the make and model of the vehicle as well. Since license plates sometimes get switched by criminals trying to elude the police, verify that the registration information matches the vehicle. Keep in mind that driver information is protected under the Drivers Privacy Protection Act (DPPA).

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 1
   Verify that you have a legal reason for requesting registration information on a vehicle. Per the DPPA, registration and other driver information can only be released in cases in which a driver safety issue, accident, product recall or other legal reason is shown.
2. 2
   Contact the Tax Commissioner's Office for the county and state in which the car is registered.
3. 3
   Provide the information you recorded about the vehicle, as well as your reason for requesting the information. You may need to request the information in person and pay a processing fee.