Vehicle Identification
State-by-State VIN Authorization Guide
Before a replacement VIN plate can be installed and titled, most states require some form of official verification: a physical inspection by state police, a DMV-issued VIN authorization form, or an equivalent document from the titling agency. Requirements differ by state, so use the table below to find the correct document and official source for where your vehicle will be titled.
Always confirm current requirements with the agency listed before submitting any paperwork. State forms and procedures change without notice, and county-level offices sometimes add their own steps on top of the state requirement.
Inspection/Form Required
No Standalone VIN Step
Confirm With Agency
| State | Status | Document / Form | Official Source |
| Alabama | Required | Vehicle Inspection Form (MVT 5-9), Alabama Dept. of Revenue | MVT 5-9 Form (PDF) |
| Alaska | Required | VIN inspection through Alaska DMV before titling | Alaska DMV |
| Arizona | Required | VIN inspection at an MVD office or authorized third party | Arizona MVD |
| Arkansas | Required | VIN inspection through Dept. of Finance and Administration | AR Motor Vehicle Division |
| California | Required | Verification of Vehicle (REG 31), completed by DMV, CHP, or a licensed verifier | CA DMV Vehicle Verifications |
| Colorado | Required | Verification of VIN (DR 2698) | CO DMV VIN Inspections |
| Connecticut | No Standalone Step | No standalone VIN inspection; handled through standard titling | Connecticut DMV |
| Delaware | Required | VIN inspection required before a Delaware title is issued | Delaware DMV |
| District of Columbia | Confirm With Agency | VIN verification handled as part of vehicle registration and inspection | DC DMV Registration & Inspection |
| Florida | Required | VIN and Odometer Verification (HSMV 82042) | HSMV 82042 (PDF) |
| Georgia | Required | VIN inspection at a DDS customer service center | Georgia DDS Motor Vehicle Services |
| Hawaii | Confirm With Agency | VIN inspection handled at the county level, not a single statewide form | Hawaii DOT Motor Vehicle Safety |
| Idaho | Required | VIN/odometer inspection by law enforcement or DMV | Idaho DMV |
| Illinois | No Standalone Step | No standalone VIN inspection; titling through Secretary of State | Illinois SOS Vehicle Titles |
| Indiana | Required | VIN inspection at an Indiana BMV branch | Indiana BMV |
| Iowa | Required | VIN inspection through county treasurer or law enforcement | Iowa DOT Vehicle Titling |
| Kansas | Required | VIN inspection through the Division of Vehicles | Kansas Division of Vehicles |
| Kentucky | Required | VIN inspection at the county clerk's office | Kentucky Motor Vehicle Licensing |
| Louisiana | Required | VIN inspection through the Office of Motor Vehicles | Louisiana OMV Title & Registration |
| Maine | Required | VIN inspection at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office | Maine BMV Titles |
| Maryland | No Standalone Step | No standalone VIN inspection; safety inspection required within 90 days | Maryland MVA Vehicle Titling |
| Massachusetts | No Standalone Step | No standalone VIN inspection; safety/emissions inspection required at registration | Massachusetts RMV |
| Michigan | Required | VIN inspection at a Secretary of State office | Michigan SOS Vehicle Services |
| Minnesota | Required | VIN inspection through Driver and Vehicle Services | Minnesota DVS |
| Mississippi | Required | VIN inspection at the county tax collector's office | Mississippi DOR Motor Vehicle Titles |
| Missouri | Required | VIN inspection by law enforcement, plus state safety inspection | Missouri DOR Motor Vehicle |
| Montana | Required | VIN inspection at a county courthouse or DOJ Motor Vehicle office | Montana Motor Vehicle Division |
| Nebraska | Required | VIN inspection through the county treasurer's office | Nebraska DMV Titles |
| Nevada | Required | VIN inspection by a DMV investigator or authorized inspector | Nevada DMV Vehicle Title |
| New Hampshire | Required | VIN inspection at a New Hampshire DMV office | New Hampshire DMV Title |
| New Jersey | Required | VIN inspection at a Motor Vehicle Commission agency | NJ MVC Titles |
| New Mexico | Required | VIN inspection at an MVD field office | New Mexico MVD |
| New York | Required | VIN verified as part of NY safety inspection; Statement of Ownership (MV-51B) for non-titled/historic vehicles | NY DMV VIN Information |
| North Carolina | Required | VIN inspection at an NC DMV license plate agency | North Carolina DMV Title & Registration |
| North Dakota | Required | VIN inspection through the county treasurer's office | North Dakota Motor Vehicle Division |
| Ohio | No Standalone Step | No standalone VIN inspection; safety inspection required within 30 days | Ohio BMV Titles |
| Oklahoma | Required | Serial/VIN inspection through Service Oklahoma or a licensed operator | Service Oklahoma Vehicle Titles |
| Oregon | Required | VIN inspection at an Oregon DMV office | Oregon DMV Titles |
| Pennsylvania | No Standalone Step | No standalone VIN inspection; annual safety inspection required statewide | PennDOT Vehicle Titles |
| Rhode Island | Required | VIN inspection at a Rhode Island DMV office | Rhode Island DMV Titles |
| South Carolina | No Standalone Step | No standalone VIN inspection; safety inspection required at registration | SC DMV Titles |
| South Dakota | Required | VIN inspection at the county treasurer's office | South Dakota DOR Titles & Plates |
| Tennessee | No Standalone Step | No standalone VIN inspection; titling handled by the county clerk | TN Dept. of Revenue Title & Registration |
| Texas | Required | VIN verified as part of the required TX safety inspection, no separate VIN-only form | Texas DMV |
| Utah | Required | VIN Verification (TC-656), completed by law enforcement or a licensed dealer | Utah DMV Titling & Registration |
| Vermont | Required | VIN inspection at a Vermont DMV office | Vermont DMV Titles |
| Virginia | No Standalone Step | No standalone VIN inspection; safety inspection required within 30 days | Virginia DMV Vehicles |
| Washington | Required | Physical inspection by the Washington State Patrol for rebuilt, homemade, or VIN-less vehicles | WA State Patrol VIN Inspection |
| West Virginia | Required | VIN inspection at a West Virginia DMV office | West Virginia DMV |
| Wisconsin | Required | VIN inspection through a WisDOT service center | Wisconsin DOT Title & Registration |
| Wyoming | Required | VIN inspection at the county clerk's office | Wyoming DOT Titles & Registration |
Information current as of August 2026, compiled from official state DMV, motor vehicle, and department of revenue websites. Requirements, forms, and agency names change over time and can also vary by county. Confirm current requirements with the linked agency before submitting any paperwork. This page is for general reference only and is not legal advice.
