You can find the owner of a license plate through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, but only in specific situations — and the DMV will not give you the information directly.
If you need to know who owns a particular license plate, you cannot straightforward call your state DMV and ask. Instead, you file a formal request through a process your state calls by different names: a records request, a public records request, or a motor vehicle records request. The DMV will search their database and send the information to you — but only if your reason falls into a narrow list of approved purposes.
What counts as an approved purpose varies by state. Most states will release plate owner information if you are reporting a hit-and-run accident, a traffic violation you witnessed, or a safety concern like aggressive driving. Some states also allow requests related to civil lawsuits, insurance claims, or child custody matters. A few states are more restrictive and will only release information to law enforcement or in response to a court order.
Key Takeaways
- You request plate owner information through your state DMV using a formal records request, not by calling and asking.
- The DMV will only release the information if your reason matches a state-approved purpose, such as reporting a hit-and-run or witnessing reckless driving.
- Each state has different rules about what reasons may have access to, so you need to check your specific state's DMV website or call their records department.
- If you are reporting a crime or safety threat, contacting police first often moves the process faster than filing a DMV request yourself.
- The DMV typically takes one to four weeks to respond, depending on the state and how busy their records department is.
When you can request plate owner information
The most common reason people request plate owner information is after a hit-and-run accident. If another vehicle hit yours and the driver left the scene, you have the license plate number but not the owner's name or address. Filing a records request with your state DMV gives you that information so you can contact the owner's insurance company or pursue a claim.
Witnessing reckless or aggressive driving is another approved reason in most states. If a driver endangered you or someone else — swerving between lanes, running a red light, or tailgating — and you have their plate number, you can request their information to file a report with police or your state's highway safety office.
Some states also allow requests related to civil matters. If you are involved in a lawsuit and need to identify a defendant, or if you are handling an insurance claim and need to contact another party, your state may release the information. A few states require a court order or a lawyer's involvement for these requests.
How to file a records request in your state
Start by visiting your state's DMV website and looking for a section called "Records Request," "Public Records Request," or "Motor Vehicle Records." The exact name and process differ by state. Some states let you file the request online through a form. Others require you to mail in a paper form, and a few still require you to visit a DMV office in person.
When you file, you will need to provide the license plate number, your reason for the request, and proof of your identity. Some states ask you to sign a statement swearing that your reason is legitimate — for example, that you are reporting a hit-and-run accident. If you are filing because of an accident, have your police report number ready, as many states ask for it.
The fee varies by state, typically ranging from five to twenty dollars. Some states waive the fee if you are reporting a crime. A few states charge more if you need the information quickly or if you request multiple records at once.
What happens if you report to police instead
If the situation involves a crime — a hit-and-run, reckless endangerment, or a threat — reporting to police first is often faster than filing a DMV records request yourself. When you file a police report, the officer can request the plate owner's information directly from the DMV using law enforcement channels, which usually do not have the same waiting period as public records requests.
After you file a police report, ask the officer for a report number and the name of the investigating officer. Keep that information in case you need to follow up. If the police investigation results in contact with the vehicle owner, they may share that information with you as part of the case.
For non-criminal situations — like a minor fender-bender where both drivers left the scene — the DMV records request is your main option, unless your insurance company offers to handle it for you.
How long the process takes
Most states take one to four weeks to respond to a records request, though some are faster. States with smaller populations or less busy DMV offices may respond in five to ten business days. States with larger populations or high request volumes may take up to a month or longer.
A few states offer expedited processing for an additional fee, usually ten to fifteen dollars more. If you choose expedited service, the response time may drop to three to five business days, though this is not may provide.
Once the DMV responds, they will send you the vehicle owner's name, address, and sometimes phone number. They will not send you the owner's driver's license number, Social Security number, or other personal information beyond what is necessary to contact them.
What to do once you have the owner's information
If you received the information because of an accident, contact the owner's insurance company with the owner's name and address. You can usually find their insurance information through your own insurance company, which may handle the claim on your behalf. If you are handling it yourself, you can also ask the owner directly for their insurance details.
If you received the information because you witnessed reckless driving or a traffic violation, you can file a report with your local police department or your state's highway safety office. Some states have online reporting systems for traffic complaints. Provide the plate number, the date and time of the incident, the location, and a description of what happened.
If you are contacting the owner about a civil matter — a lawsuit or a property damage claim — consider sending a certified letter or having an attorney contact them. This creates a paper trail and is more likely to be taken seriously than a phone call.
States with different rules
A handful of states have stricter privacy rules and will not release plate owner information to the public under any circumstances. These states typically require a court order or a law enforcement request. If you live in one of these states and need the information, you may need to file a lawsuit or ask police to request it on your behalf.
Some states also distinguish between requests for accidents and requests for other reasons. A few will release information for hit-and-run accidents but not for witnessed traffic violations. Check your state's specific rules before filing, as submitting a request for a non-approved reason will result in a denial and may delay your process.
A small number of states allow you to request information about your own vehicle's owner record — useful if you are buying a used car and want to verify the seller's identity against the registration. This process is usually faster and simpler than a standard records request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find out who owns a license plate by searching online?
No. Websites that claim to identify plate owners are either scams or use outdated public records that may not be accurate. The only reliable source is your state DMV through an official records request. Avoid paying third-party services to do this for you — they often cannot access the information any faster than you can.
What if the DMV denies my records request?
If your reason does not match your state's approved purposes, the DMV will deny the request. You can appeal the denial by contacting the DMV's records department and explaining why your reason should may have access to. If the appeal is denied, your only other option is to file a lawsuit and ask a court to order the release of the information.
Do I need a lawyer to request plate owner information?
No. You can file a records request yourself without a lawyer. However, if your reason is related to a lawsuit or a legal matter, having a lawyer file the request on your behalf may speed up the process, as some states prioritize attorney requests.
What if the plate is from a different state?
You file the request with that state's DMV, not your own. Contact the other state's DMV directly and ask for their records request process. The rules and fees may be different from your home state.
Can I request information about multiple license plates at once?
Yes, but some states charge an additional fee for each plate beyond the first one. Check your state's fee schedule before submitting a batch request. If you are filing multiple requests, it may be faster to file them separately so they are processed in parallel rather than as one large request.