One of the agencies that provides the data that goes into a vehicle history report is the various state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Instead of ordering a vehicle history report from a third party provider, you may have the option of requesting your vehicle records directly through your state DMV.
Note that the information provided by the DMV and third party vehicle history reports may vary.
Continue reading to learn how to order a DMV vehicle history report.
What is a DMV Vehicle Record?
Each state DMV keeps records of the title and registration data for vehicles in the state.
The type of data found in the DMV records typically includes:
- Title data.
- Title brands and title status.
- Ownership history.
- Registration data.
- Registration types.
- Lienholder information.
In many states, you are only able to request the records of your own vehicle.
There may be additional requirements and regulations that regulate requesting the vehicle records for a vehicle owned by someone else.
How Much is a Vehicle History Report from the DMV?
The fee for a DMV vehicle history report varies by state and whether or not you need an official copy, a hard copy, or a digital copy.
The cost of a DMV report will typically range from free to $25.
Unofficial, free or low cost vehicle history reports can be requested online in many states. Find your state in the list below for more details.
What do you need to request a DMV vehicle record?
Requirements may vary slightly by state, but in most cases, you should be prepared with the following information and items:
- Your full name and address.
- Your contact information.
- The type of request you are making.
- The VIN number.
- The license plate number.
- The vehicle’s year, make, and model.
- The title number.
- Payment for the fee.
If you are requesting a DMV vehicle history report online, you may also need to sign up for an online account.
Requesting a motor vehicle record (MVR) through the state DMV agencies will typically require you to fall under one of the permissible use categories.
If you are the owner of the vehicle, you can order your own record.
However, if you are requesting the record of someone else, you will need to indicate which acceptable use your request falls under. Refer to your state’s MVR request form for details.
Some states may also give you the option to request a certified or uncertified record. Certified records typically come with a slightly higher fee and may require you to submit your request in person or by mail.
How to Get a Vehicle History Report from the DMV (State List)
Each state has a different process and requirements for accessing vehicle records.
If a state doesn’t participate in the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), you may not be able to request a report. Currently, Hawaii, Kansas, Washington DC, and Vermont do not have data in NMVTIS.
Find your state below for more details about requesting a DMV vehicle history report.
Alabama Department of Revenue (DOR)
You can order motor vehicle records through the AL DOR MVR portal. To get started, visit the following link: https://www.alabamainteractive.org/ador_mvr_portal/welcome.action
If you are looking for title history, you should contact the DOR Motor Vehicle Division.
The fees are as follows:
- Title Records: $6 per record.
- Vehicle Registration Records: $6 per record.
- Abandoned Motor Vehicle Records: $12 per record.
Information in these records includes current owner, address on file, lienholder information, as well as year make and model of the vehicle.
Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
If you are eligible to make the request under the Driver Privacy and Protection Act (i.e. ordering your own records), you can order a motor vehicle record from the Alaska DMV.
To make the request, you’ll need to fill out a Request for Vehicle Record Form 851: http://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/forms/pdfs/851.pdf
There is a $10 fee per record.
You can return the form by mail, in person, by fax, or by email.
Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)
If you are the owner of the vehicle, you can request an MVR through the Arizona MVD:
- Online: https://servicearizona.com/
- By mail or in person using the following form: https://apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/46-4416.pdf
A certified copy costs $5 and an uncertified copy costs $3 per record.
Signatures must be notarized (or witnessed by an MVD agent) when submitting the form in person or by mail.
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)
You can order the records of a vehicle you own by making a request to the Arkansas DFA.
Your requisition should include the following information:
- A copy of your driver’s license.
- The details of the vehicle.
- The reason for your request.
- The documents or records you are looking for.
The fees are $1 per record and $1 per copy of each document you need.
Requests can be mail to:
Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles
Records Unit, Room 1100
P.O. Box 1272
Little Rock, AR 72203
California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Vehicle records requests can be made through the CA DMV online, by mail, in person, or over the phone.
If you need official, certified records, you may be required to make the request by mail or in person using the appropriate forms.
Online requests cost $2 per record. Mail-in and in-person requests are $5 per record.
All requests must include the following:
- The record or title number.
- The number of copies you need.
- Your business name, if applicable.
- Your phone number.
- Your contact information.
- Your street address.
For more information and to get started, please visit: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/customer-service/request-vehicle-or-driver-records/
Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
You can request your Colorado DMV vehicle records online, by mail, or in person.
The fee for each request is $2.20, plus $0.50 if you need certified records.
For more information and to get started, please visit: https://dmv.colorado.gov/vehicle-record-searches
Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
You can make a vehicle title record request through the CT DMV by completing the Title Copy Records Request Form J-23T: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DMV/20/29/J23Tpdf.pdf
The fee for the request is $20, plus an additional $20 if the records must be certified.
The form can be mailed to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Copy Records Unit
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
You can request your own vehicle records through the DE DMV by completing a Person Information Release Form: https://www.dmv.de.gov/forms/other_forms/pdfs/personal_rel_form.pdf
The form should be notarized if submitted by mail or signed and submitted in person at your local DMV office.
The fee is $25 for a 3-year record.
Vehicle Records requests can be submitted in person at a DMV office or by mail to:
Division of Motor Vehicles
ATTN: Correspondence Section
P.O. Box 698
Dover, DE 19903
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV)
A vehicle information search and records request can be made by mail, in person, or online through the FLHSMV.
Online Vehicle Information Check: https://services.flhsmv.gov/MVCheckWeb/
Florida Motor Vehicle, Vessel, and Mobile Home Records Request Form: https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/90510.pdf
The fees range from $0.50 to $1.00 per request.
Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR)
Georgia vehicle records can be requested by submitting a Request for Vehicle Information form: https://dor.georgia.gov/form-mv-20-request-motor-vehicle-data
Fees range from $1 to $14 depending on which records you need.
The form can be submitted by mail to:
ATTN: Title Processing – Research
DOR/Motor Vehicle Division
P.O. Box 740382
Atlanta, GA 30374
Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
You can order your Idaho DMV vehicle record online, in person, by mail, email, or fax.
Online: https://www.accessidaho.org/itd/driver/mvr/index
Records Request Form: https://itd.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/3374.pdf
Fees range from $7 to $14 per record.
Illinois Secretary of State (SOS)
Vehicle records request can be made through the IL SOS by completing an Information Request Form: https://www.ilsos.gov/publications/pdf_publications/vsd375.pdf
The fees for each request are as follows:
- Title search: $5.
- Registration search: $5.
- Certified Title: $10.
- Certified Registration: $10.
You can also check the status of your title and registration by entering your VIN here: https://apps.ilsos.gov/regstatus/
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
An Indiana BMV vehicle records request can be made by using the following form: https://forms.in.gov/Download.aspx?id=13697
Fees range from $4 to $8 depending on which record you need.
Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT)
You can request your Iowa vehicle records by completing a Privacy Act Agreement for Request of Motor Vehicle Records: https://iowadot.seamlessdocs.com/f/PrivacyActAgreement
This form can be submitted to:
Office of Vehicle and Motor Carrier Services
Iowa Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 9278
Des Moines, Iowa 50306
Fees are as follows:
- $5 per 15 minutes per search.
- $1 per printed copy.
- $0.10 per photocopy.
- $0.50 per certified copy.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing
In Kentucky, your vehicle record requests can be submitting using the following form: https://transportation.ky.gov/Organizational-Resources/Forms/TC%2096-16g.pdf
Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV)
Contact the LA OMV or visit your local office for information on obtaining your vehicle records.
Louisiana OMV website: https://www.expresslane.org/
Maine Secretary of State (SOS)
Maine vehicle records can be obtained through the InforME service with a subscription.
For more details, please visit: https://www.maine.gov/informe/subscribers/index.html or https://www.maine.gov/sos/online_services/index.html
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)
You can request your Maryland vehicle records by completing a Request for Motor Vehicle Administration Records form: https://mva.maryland.gov/Documents/DR-057.pdf
This form can be submitted by mail to:
MVA
Title File Unit – Data Management
6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
Non-certified copies cost $9, and certified records cost $12.
For more information, please visit: https://mva.maryland.gov/Pages/driver-record-questions.aspx
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)
Records request for title and registration information can be made via MassRMV online services at the following link: https://atlas-myrmv.massdot.state.ma.us/myrmv/_/#0
Michigan Secretary of State (SOS)
You can request your Michigan vehicle record by completing the appropriate form and submitting the $11 fee ($12 for certified copies).
The forms can be found here: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1631_11465—,00.html
Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Vehicle record requests can be made by submitting a form or calling the DPS at (651) 296-2940.
The DPS records forms can be downloaded here: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/forms-documents/Pages/records-forms.aspx
Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR)
To request your vehicle records, contact the Mississippi DOR.
More information can be found on the MS DOR website: https://www.dor.ms.gov/tags-and-titles
Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR)
You can request your Missouri vehicle title and registration records by completed a Request From Record Holder form: https://dor.mo.gov/forms/5499.pdf
This form can be mailed, emailed, or submitted in person.
The fee is $2.82 per record plus a convenience fee.
Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)
For information about requesting your vehicle records, please email mvdtitleinfo@mt.gov
Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
To request your Nebraska vehicle records, complete the Application for Copy of Vehicle Record form: https://dmv.nebraska.gov/sites/dmv.nebraska.gov/files/doc/dvr/forms/vehrecapp.pdf
This form can be submitted by mail or in person.
The fee is $1 per record request.
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Nevada vehicle records can be obtained through the Nevada DMV records section in Carson City.
The appropriate forms can be found here: https://dmvnv.com/records.htm
New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
To request your vehicle records, you’ll need to complete a Release of Motor Vehicle Records Form: https://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/forms/documents/dsmv505.pdf
Fees range from $1 to $15 depending on the type of record you need.
This form can be submitted in person or by mail to the address on the bottom of the form.
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commision (MVC)
You can request your own vehicle records by submitting a title search through the NJMVC.
The forms and instructions can be found here: https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/certitle.htm
Fees are $15.
New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)
You can request your NM MVD vehicle records by completing the appropriate forms found here: https://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/dealers-auto-recyclers/access-to-nm-driver-and-vehicle-data/
New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
In New York, you can request your own registration or title records by completing a Request for Vehicle Records form MV-15: https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv15.pdf
The record search fee is $10 per request.
The form and payment can be submitted to the address on the form.
For more information, please visit: https://dmv.ny.gov/dmv-records/get-vehicle-registration-or-title-record-abstract
North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
NCDMV vehicle records can be request by filing out a Request for Motor Vehicle Information from MVR-605A): https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/downloads/Documents/MVR-605A.pdf
The form and fees can be mailed to the address listed on the form.
Fees for vehicle records include:
- Certified True Copy: $14.
- Vehicle Information: $1.
North Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT)
Vehicle records requests can be submitted via fax, email, or mail.
The form you’ll need to complete can be found here: https://www.dot.nd.gov/forms/SFN51269.pdf
The fees for a record request range from $3 per request and up to $25 per hour for complex searches.
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
Ohio vehicle records can be obtained by completing the Ohio BMV Record Request Form: https://publicsafety.ohio.gov/static/bmv1173.pdf
The fee is $5 per record requested.
Oklahoma Tax Commision
Vehicle title and registration record requests can be made through the OK Tax Commision.
For more information, please visit the official website at: https://oklahoma.gov/tax.html
Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV)
You can request your own vehicle records through the OR DMV by completing a Order Your Own Record form: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Forms/DMV/7266fill.PDF
Fees range from $1.50 to $22.50 depending on the type of record and certification you need.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT)
Vehicle owners can order their PennDOT vehicle records by submitting the Request for Vehicle Information form (DL-135): http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Public/DVSPubsForms/BDL/BDL%20Form/DL-135.pdf
The fee is $12 per standard record and $38 per certified record.
You can mail for form and fees to:
Department of Transportation
Bureau of Driver Licensing
Vehicle Record Services
P.O. Box 68691
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8691
Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Title and registration record requests can be made through the RI DMV. For more information, please visit the website at: http://www.dmv.ri.gov/registrations/titles/index.php
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
You can download a Request for Vehicle Information form to request your SCDMV vehicle records: https://www.scdmvonline.com/-/media/Forms/5027-A.ashx
The fees are $6 per request.
Your form and payment can be mailed to the address on the form.
South Dakota Department of Revenue (DOR)
For information on requesting your own vehicle records, please contact the SD DOR at: motorv@state.sd.us
Tennessee Department of Revenue (DOR)
Request for vehicle records can be made using the following form: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/forms/titlereg/f1313801Fill-in.pdf
Fees range from $1 to $15 depending on the record and type of copy needed.
Your form and payment can be mailed to the address listed on the bottom of the form.
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
You can request your TXDMV vehicle records by completing a Request for Texas Motor Vehicle Information form (VTR-275): https://d3eaozktcyljdh.cloudfront.net/cdn/ff/oz6WlymrVFHqQJuMu1Lpdbu6xF2ly_LaBv4MsvLCOuU/1602525402/public/form_files/VTR-275.pdf
Fees range from $2 to $6.75 depending on the type of document you need.
Your request can be submitted by mail to:
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Vehicle Titles and Registration Division
Austin, TX 78779-0001
Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
If you need to request your Utah vehicle records for vehicles you own, you can complete a Title and Registration Motor Vehicle Record Form (TC-890): https://tax.utah.gov/forms/current/tc-890.pdf
The fee for the request ranges from $3 to $6.50 depending on what you need.
Mail the completed form and payment to the address listed on the form.
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Vehicle owners can request their records from the VA DMV by completing the following form: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/pdf/crd93.pdf
Prospective buyers can request vehicle information by completing this form: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/pdf/crd01.pdf
Fees range from $3 to $12 depending on what type of record you need and the nature of your request.
Follow the instructions on the form to submit the completed form and your payment.
Washington Department of Licensing (DOL)
Vehicle record information can be obtained by completing a Vehicle Record Request Form: https://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/224003.pdf
You may also be able to request records online via: https://wadolpublicrecords.nextrequest.com/
Record requests by the public are free of charge.
Submit your request online or by mail to:
Vehicle/Vessel Records Disclosure Unit
Department of Licensing
PO Box 2957
Olympia, WA 98507
West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
To obtain your vehicle records in West Virginia, contact the Records Management Unit at (304) 926-3909 or complete a Request for Vehicle Information Form: https://transportation.wv.gov/DMV/DMVFormSearch/DMV-100-TR_Request-for-Information.pdf
Your form can be submitted by mail or in person at the main DMV office in Kanawha City, WV.
Fees range from $1.50 to $25 depending on what type of request you are making.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT)
To request vehicle records in Wisconsin, you can submit a Vehicle/Driver Record Information Request form (MV2896): https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/formdocs/mv2896.pdf
The fee is $5 per request.
Additional fees include:
- Non-certified copies: $7.
- Certified copies: $12.
- Per page fees: $0.25 per page.
Return your form and payment to the address listed.
Wyoming Department of Transportation (DOT)
Your Wyoming vehicle records can be requested through your local County Clerk’s and County Treasurer’s offices.
Title search fees are $5 per request.
For more information, please contact your County Clerk or County Treasurer’s office. Contact information can be found here: https://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/titles_plates_registration.html