In specific situations, say when dealing with an abandoned vehicle or an accident involving one, you may need to track the registered owner of a vehicle. Alternatively, when buying a pre-owned car, checking ownership history can help you learn about its overall condition. An ownership check might not be as simple as a quick online search. But it also does not have to be difficult, with the following handy ways to find vehicle owner details:

Utilize dedicated verification websites
Before you begin your search, you may need some details like the full license plate number of the vehicle, but you can also search vehicle owner information by the VIN. Then, you can look up background check companies that have a robust database for people and vehicle searches. These websites can give you an insight into the vehicle seller or owner. In addition, it will also reveal other crucial details like their social profiles, public records, contact details, etc. So, how to check vehicle owner details on these websites? Here is what to do:

– Find the “vehicle search” tab on the homepage of the website.
– Then, you can either enter the license plate or the VIN + Slate. Click on the “Search” button, and you are ready to go.
– When the search is complete, you can unlock the report, wherein you can see who owns the car under “Owner Details.” Upon clicking on “Search Person,” you will find all the information about the person that the database holds.

Many background check websites could be subscription-based services. So, you can look for free trials to look up vehicle information for a specified period.

Look up platforms with vehicle records
You can use professional services dedicated to holding vehicle history records. On the website, you can acquire the vehicle’s branded and salvaged titles, accident history, manufacturer recalls, trim and equipment specifications, standard equipment, ownership costs, market value, sale history, and other details. Here, you can visit the website, pick a search type, like by license plate or VIN, and enter the necessary details. All you have to do then is wait till the vehicle history report is generated. Here, the tool (website or app) you are using typically looks through its database and offers details it can find in available vehicle records.

Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles
The DMV is the official and most trustworthy resource for finding vehicle information. In addition to using the abovementioned tools, you can find verified data linked to the owner and the car via a legitimate and valid request placed on the DMV website. You must bear a small fee and submit formal paperwork (INF 70) here. However, some states might not provide out-of-state owner records or complete ownership history.

Consider a private investigator
If DMV or the third-party tools suggested above are unable to provide satisfactory information, then you can get in touch with a private investigator. Professional private investigators have access to DMV and other vital public records. So they can dig for all the information you need. However, the cost of hiring a private investigator can be relatively high. You can expect to pay an average hourly rate of over $50. Here, it is important to have a legitimate reason for looking up vehicle ownership details. You can Google licensed investigators in the area. However, when you find an investigator, perform a quick background check by reading their reviews online or verifying their license status to avoid falling for scams.

Legitimate reasons for car owner search
There can be many reasons why someone may be interested in knowing who owns a car. Here are a few legitimate ones, as underscored by the Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), that warrant vehicle ownership checks:

– For any federal, state, or local agency purposes, in which the information helps the agency in carrying out its functions
– For any state, federal, or local proceeding, if it involves a vehicle
– For automobile and driver safety purposes, such as conducting a recall of motor vehicles
– For use in market research activities

The DPPA allows only those with a legitimate reason or who meet the criteria to perform the vehicle ownership check. Every state has its own rules that must be followed. Also, note that not every state accepts similar reasons to find vehicle information, and sometimes, data on the car owner may be limited. Further, the seeker will be personally liable for the details obtained in the car owner search. Also, it is illegal to harass or stalk anyone with any confidential data received. So, it is important to be responsible when acquiring such information.