The following table provides a comprehensive overview of whether each U.S. state and Washington D.C. offers an official online VIN check tool, as defined by this guide (including title, registration, and lien checks). For states that do, the relevant URL and cost are provided. For states that do not, the typical procedure for performing a VIN check is described based on available information.
| State/District | Online VIN Check Tool Available? | URL (if Yes) | Cost (if Yes) | Procedure if No Online Tool |
| Alabama | No | N/A | N/A | A complete title history can be requested by mail using the "Request for Motor Vehicle Records" form, requiring the VIN and a $15 money order. |
| Alaska | No | N/A | N/A | Physical verification of a vehicle may be required by a vehicle inspector using Form 811, which is free at a state DMV office. |
| Arizona | Yes | https://azmvdnow.gov/ | Free, but AZ MVD Now account signup is required. | N/A |
| Arkansas | Yes | https://portal.arkansas.gov/service/ar-title-reg-lien-record-search/ | Paid: Requires an INA Subscription ($95 annual fee for up to 10 users) plus a $1.50 transaction fee per record. | N/A |
| California | Yes | https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/customer-service/request-vehicle-or-driver-records/online-vehicle-record-request/ | Paid: $2 per record for online requests, with an additional 1.95% payment processing fee for credit/debit cards. | N/A |
| Colorado | Yes | https://secure.colorado.gov/apps/dps/mvvs/public/entry.jsf | Free | |
| Connecticut | No | N/A | N/A | Physical VIN verifications are required for certain vehicle registrations. These can be performed at official inspection stations ($10 fee) or at DMV Inspection Lanes (no fee). |
| Delaware | Yes | https://dealers.dmv.de.gov/Dealer/VehicleInspection/citizeninspection) | Free | N/A |
| Florida | Yes | https://services.flhsmv.gov/mvcheckweb/ | Free | N/A |
| Georgia | No | N/A | N/A | Physical VIN verification is provided by the Sheriff's Office, often required for vehicles without a current title. Information printouts (e.g., title, lien) can be obtained for a $1 fee via request, by mail or in person. |
| Hawaii | No | N/A | N/A | Official state online tools for comprehensive VIN checks are not identified. Physical safety inspections are required, with associated fees. |
| Idaho | Yes | https://dmvonline.itd.idaho.gov/OpenServices/OpenVehicleServices/CheckTitleStatus | Free | VIN verification in Idaho requires a physical inspection by a deputy of the Department of Motor Vehicles or a law enforcement agency, with a typical fee of $5. |
| Illinois | Yes | https://www.ilsos.gov/regstatus/ | Free for basic title/lien status | N/A |
| Indiana | No | N/A | N/A | Physical VIN checks are conducted by police departments for a $5 fee. The vehicle can be brought to the station or an officer can be called to the location. |
| Iowa | No | N/A | N/A | Official state online tools for comprehensive VIN checks are not identified. Driving records can be viewed online for free or certified copies purchased for a fee, but this does not constitute a full VIN check. |
| Kansas | No | N/A | N/A | Physical VIN inspections are required for out-of-state, salvage, or homemade vehicles, conducted by the Kansas Highway Patrol. The fee is typically $20 cash ($25 for salvage titles). |
| Kentucky | Yes | (https://www.kentucky.gov/Services/pages/ovis.aspx) | Paid: Requires an annual $75 subscription fee (per 10 users) plus per-record charges ($0.44 for Standard, $4 for Premium). Access is restricted to authorized users under DPPA provisions. | N/A |
| Louisiana | No | N/A | N/A | For private vehicles, individuals are directed to contact the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) by phone. A registered vehicle search database is available online for commercial passenger vehicles only. |
| Maine | No | N/A | N/A | Physical VIN verification is provided by police departments, often free of charge, and is required for certain vehicle registrations or salvage titles. A search of title records (not online) costs $5 per VIN. |
| Maryland | Yes | https://egov.maryland.gov/mva/idvr/ | Paid: $15 per record search. Access is restricted to businesses and entities with legitimate business needs under DPPA allowable use. | N/A |
| Massachusetts | Yes | https://www.mass.gov/how-to/check-the-status-of-your-vehicles-title | Free: No fee to check the status of a vehicle's Certificate of Title or lienholder information via the myRMV Portal. | N/A |
| Michigan | Yes | https://dsvsesvc.sos.state.mi.us/TAP/_/ | Paid: $11 for each record lookup. Access is restricted to persons with a valid permissible purpose under the Driver's Privacy Protection Act. | N/A |
| Minnesota | No | N/A | N/A | Requests for VIN lookups are typically made to the Driver and Vehicle Services section of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DVS) by visiting their office or submitting a request by mail. |
| Mississippi | No | N/A | N/A | To perform a comprehensive VIN check, individuals are generally directed to use online third-party vehicle data providers. Official state online tools for public VIN checks are not identified. |
| Missouri | No | N/A | N/A | Official state online tools for comprehensive VIN checks are not identified. Physical VIN verification processes are described for certain vehicle types at DMV offices. |
| Montana | No | N/A | N/A | Physical VIN inspections are required for various purposes, conducted by local law enforcement or MVD staff. Fees apply for these inspections (e.g., $18.50 or $19.06 for salvage vehicles). |
| Nebraska | Yes | https://dmv.nebraska.gov/dvr/electronic-lien-and-title | Paid: $1 per search | N/A |
| Nevada | No | N/A | N/A | Official state online tools for comprehensive VIN checks are not identified. DMV kiosks are available for registration renewals and duplicates, but not for full VIN history checks. |
| New Hampshire | No | N/A | N/A | Physical VIN verification is required for certain vehicle types (e.g., out-of-state, antique, and homemade trailers) and can be performed by authorized inspection stations, dealers, or law enforcement officers, sometimes free of charge. |
| New Jersey | No | N/A | N/A | Official state online tools for comprehensive VIN checks are not identified. Individuals are often directed to third-party services for detailed vehicle history reports. |
| New Mexico | No | N/A | N/A | Physical VIN inspections are required for out-of-state vehicles, conducted by the MVD or a Certified VIN Inspector. The MVD system performs internal NCIC checks for stolen vehicles, but this is not a public-facing tool. |
| New York | Yes | https://dmv.ny.gov/titles/check-a-title-or-lien-status | Free | N/A |
| North Carolina | No | N/A | N/A | Vehicle records, including title and lien information, can be requested from the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by mail or in person using form MVR-605A, with applicable fees. |
| North Dakota | No | N/A | N/A | The state encourages using the federal NHTSA tool for recalls (not comprehensive) or purchasing NMVTIS Vehicle History Reports through approved third-party data providers. |
| Ohio | No | N/A | N/A | Based on available information, an official online VIN check tool for title, registration, or lien status is not identified. Typically, physical inspection or mail-in requests are the procedures. |
| Oklahoma | No | N/A | N/A | Based on available information, an official online VIN check tool for title, registration, or lien status is not identified. Typically, physical inspection or mail-in requests are the procedures. |
| Oregon | No | N/A | N/A | Based on available information, an official online VIN check tool for title, registration, or lien status is not identified. Typically, physical inspection or mail-in requests are the procedures. |
| Pennsylvania | No | N/A | N/A | Based on available information, an official online VIN check tool for title, registration, or lien status is not identified. Typically, physical inspection or mail-in requests are the procedures. |
| Rhode Island | No | N/A | N/A | Based on available information, an official online VIN check tool for title, registration, or lien status is not identified. Typically, physical inspection or mail-in requests are the procedures. |
| South Carolina | No | N/A | N/A | Based on available information, an official online VIN check tool for title, registration, or lien status is not identified. Typically, physical inspection or mail-in requests are the procedures. |
| South Dakota | No | N/A | N/A | Based on available information, an official online VIN check tool for title, registration, or lien status is not identified. Typically, physical inspection or mail-in requests are the procedures. |
| Tennessee | No | N/A | N/A | Based on available information, an official online VIN check tool for title, registration, or lien status is not identified. Typically, physical inspection or mail-in requests are the procedures. |
| Texas | No | N/A | N/A | Based on available information, an official online VIN check tool for title, registration, or lien status is not identified. Typically, physical inspection or mail-in requests are the procedures. |
| Utah | No | N/A | N/A | Based on available information, an official online VIN check tool for title, registration, or lien status is not identified. Typically, physical inspection or mail-in requests are the procedures. |
| Vermont | No | N/A | N/A | Based on available information, an official online VIN check tool for title, registration, or lien status is not identified. Typically, physical inspection or mail-in requests are the procedures. |
| Virginia | Yes | https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/records/ppi | Paid: $12 fee | Based on available information, an official online VIN check tool for title, registration, or lien status is not identified. Typically, physical inspection or mail-in requests are the procedures. |
| Washington | No | N/A | N/A | Based on available information, an official online VIN check tool for title, registration, or lien status is not identified. Typically, physical inspection or mail-in requests are the procedures. |
| Washington D.C. | No | N/A | N/A | The D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles can be contacted for VIN-related information. While online third-party services offer VIN checks, an official online tool from the D.C. DMV for comprehensive title, registration, or lien checks for the general public is not identified. |
| West Virginia | No | N/A | N/A | Based on available information, an official online VIN check tool for title, registration, or lien status is not identified. Typically, physical inspection or mail-in requests are the procedures. |
| Wisconsin | Yes | https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/online-srvcs/other-servs/title-search.aspx | Paid: $5 per search | N/A |
| Wyoming | No | N/A | N/A | Based on available information, an official online VIN check tool for title, registration, or lien status is not identified. Typically, physical inspection or mail-in requests are the procedures. |
Federal and National Alternatives
While most states don't provide their own online VIN check tools, consumers can access several free federal and national resources:- NHTSA VIN Decoder: Publicly accessible and free at https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/ for basic vehicle information
- NICB VINCheck: Free lookup service at https://nicb.org/vincheck to check for insurance theft claims and salvage records, up to five searches per day
- NMVTIS: National Motor Vehicle Title Information System through approved providers like iSeeCars’ VIN Check Reports
