Vehicle Ownership search description and best practices.
This search contains historical, self-reported vehicle data. If you are looking for current DMV data, please try our Vehicle Registrations Search.
**Disclaimer - Search by Plate and State is NOT available for: AL, AZ, CA, CT, DE, GA, HI, IA, IN, KS, MD, NC, NH, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, VA, VT, WA, WV. Searching by plate in those states will likely produce a no-hit result. There is a charge for searching regardless of hit/nohit. The option to search by plate in those states is still available, as some customers report they get hits from plates in those states. Results are entirely dependent on the subject self-reporting their plate information.
The Vehicle Ownership Search is a proprietary database compiled from multiple sources. It contains information on vehicle registrations as recorded by state agencies, automobile lien information, insurance information, service records, and surveys. Self-reported data contained in the database allows you to search in locations otherwise not available from State Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMV's).
This search is great if you have a subject who let their tag expire, who may have moved and not updated their address on their registration through the DMV, or who may not have a currently registered vehicle in their name. It is also helpful if you are looking for hidden or recently sold assets.
DPPA Use Code
For best results on the Vehicle Ownership search, ALWAYS select a DPPA Use Code prior to running the search. Selecting a DPPA Use Code allows it to search more sources that can provide results containing data protected under the Driver's Privacy Protection Act.
If there is no DPPA Use Code dropdown for you to select, you may need to update the DPPA purposes you selected for your account when you filled out your application. To update your account's DPPA Use Codes, please call 877-723-2689 or email credentialing@tracers.com to request an Affidavit of Intended Use form.
How to Search
There are many search criteria boxes listed, but it is not recommended to fill out everything. On Tracers, Less is More - save time and get better results by inputting the minimum information:
Search by Name and State. Or Business Name and State.
Search by License Plate and State.
Search by VIN.
Search by Address.
Remember to select a DPPA Use Code each time for prime results.