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  • Service area
  • Contact
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  • Prohibited Verifications
  • About Vin Verifications
  • Vehicle Verifiers

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Requirements

 

📋 Required Labels on Vehicles

🚗 Vehicles 1970 & Newer (Excluding Off-Highway Vehicles)

  • Federal Certification Label (also called the Safety or VIN Label) is required.
     
  • This label must be affixed to the driver-side door or door jamb and be legible and intact.
     
  • The vehicle must also have at least one additional visible VIN location (e.g., dashboard, frame, etc.).
     
  • 🔧 Motorcycles and trailers have different label locations—typically on the frame or near the handlebars (motorcycles), and varies by type (trailers).
     

🚙 Vehicles 1969 & Older

  • These vehicles are not required to have a Federal Certification Label.
     
  • They must have at least one visible VIN location, such as on the frame or a metal plate affixed to the body.


Have Questions?  CLICK HERE to contact us. Keep reading to learn more.

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**Click here for emissions label requirements


Reasons for vin verification and what documents are needed

Please reach us at support@getvinverification.com if you have any questions.

Out-of-State Vehicles (Non-California Last Registration)

If your vehicle was last registered in a state other than California, and is now being registered or titled in California you'll need the VIN verified before the DMV will issue license plates or a registration card.  

Note:
You may be asked to provide the out of state registration document or title for record-keeping purposes, such as verifying the state where the vehicle is coming from and to compare the VIN on the document to the VIN on the vehicle. 

Have questions? Call (916)664-9453 or keep reading for more information. 

No Salvaged Vehicles (DMV/CHP ONLY)


 Vehicles Previously Registered in California (Excluding Motorcycles)

If you have a vehicle that was once registered in California but is no longer in the DMV database—and has not been titled or registered in another state since—you’ll need at least one of the following supporting documents:

  1. Certificate of Title
     
  2. A previous Registration Card
     
  3. Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO)(unlikely to have in this scenario)
     

If you do not have any of these documents, you’ll need to visit the DMV to explore your available options.



If you just bought a brand-new vehicle from an out-of-state dealer or manufacturer — and it’s never been titled or registered — you’ll usually need to show a copy of the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO or MSO) for VIN verification.

If your dealer, lender,  title service, or the DMV is  asking  you for a completed REG 31 Verification of Vehicle form, no worries — we can take care of that and give you what you need to mail in. 


Some commercial vehicles and trailers in this category might not need a VIN verification (click here to see the DMV's website).


Examples of Documents and Labels

Certificate of Title

DMV Vin Verifier, Vehicle Verifications, Mobile Vin verifications sacramento, vin verification

This is a Certificate of Title. It can look different depending on what state it was issued in.  This form can be used for the VIN Verification.


Registration Card

This is a registration card. It can look a bit different depending what state it comes it from. The CA DMV considers this an acceptable form of documentation for the vin verification.

MCO/MSO

DMV Vin Verifier, Vehicle Vin Verification, REG31, Sacramento Vehicle Verifier, Vin Verification

This is an MCO/MSO. Not a lot of people have these but if you do - the CA DMV considers this an acceptable form of documentation for the vin verification. 

** US Federal Certification Label All Vehicles 1970 and Newer must have this label - except for OHV

Vin Verification 916, DMV Vin Verifier, Mobile Vin Verifications, Vehicle Verifier DMV, Sacramento

The picture shown is an example of what the Federal Certification Label can look like.

If your vehicle is 1970 or newer and does not have this label we cannot verify it and you must go to the DMV.  

This label will be tailored to your vehicle's information.

  • Located on drivers side door jamb area. 
  • Look can vary by make.
  • Must contain your vehicles VIN # that matches the VIN # on the dashboard and supporting documents.
  • Must contain the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards conformity statement.
  • Trailers and Motorcycles Are required to have this label too but the location will be different. 

EPA (Emissions Label)See Note** below.

EPA (Emissions Label)See Note** below.

This is an example of what an EPA (emissions) label can look like. They can vary in color, shape and size. 


All vehicles 1968 and newer, All motorcycles 1978 and newer, All heavy duty vehicles 1979 and newer, and All OHV's 2003 and newer.


Please see Note** below, under the Inspecting Labels Section for more information on the EPA Label and  what to do if it is missing. 

INSPECTING THE VIN AND LABELS

🔍 VIN & Label Inspection Requirements

🛠️ Physical Inspection of the VIN 

California DMV regulations require Licensed Vehicle Verifiers to physically inspect the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that is permanently engraved or attached to the vehicle.

Primary VIN Locations:

  • 1970 & Newer Vehicles: Typically on the dashboard, visible through the driver-side windshield
     
  • Classic Cars (1969 & Older), Trailers, Motorcycles, and Tractor Trucks: Usually stamped on the frame or on a metal plate attached to the body
     

⚠️ Important for Classic Vehicles & Trailers:
VINs on older vehicles can be hard to locate. If your vehicle is 1969 or older or a trailer, you’ll need to know where the VIN is located.
We may be able to assist you by phone before scheduling an appointment, so please call us first for guidance.


Note: If we arrive on-site and are unable to verify the VIN due to its location or inaccessibility, fees will still apply.
 

🏷️ Inspection of Required Labels

✅ Federal Certification Label (1970 & Newer Except OHV)

Verifiers must locate the U.S. Federal Certification Label, which must:

  • Be present on all vehicles 1970 and newer (except OHV)
     
  • Match the VIN on the vehicle and supporting documents
     

Typical Label Locations:

  • Cars & Trucks: Driver-side door or door jamb
     
  • Motorcycles & OHVs: Frame (usually near the steering head)
     
  • Heavy-Duty Vehicles: Door or door frame area
  • Coach/CMP Trailers: Outside on the body. If at the hitch area facing the trailer, walk to the right side of the unit and look at the lower left corner. Or contact the manufacturer if you cannot find it.
     

🔒 Missing Label?
If the Federal Certification Label is missing or illegible, only CHP can perform the VIN verification.
 
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🌱 Emissions Control Label (1968 & Newer Passenger Vehicles)

Verifiers must also inspect the U.S. EPA Emissions Label (if applicable).

Label Locations:

  • Cars & Trucks: Under the hood
     
  • Motorcycles & OHVs: On the frame
     
  • Heavy-Duty Trucks: Driver-side door area
     

If the label is missing:

  • The verifier will mark “None” on the REG 31
     
  • The DMV may reject your registration
     
  • The DMV should provide a written reason for rejection on a Report of Deposit of Fees (RDF) using Reason Code Z, or on official DMV letterhead
     

⚠️Missing emission label?: The DMV still allows verifiers to complete the VIN verification if this label is missing. However - they could refuse to register your vehicle. If your emissions label is missing - you might want to go to the DMV to see what your options are. 

 

❗ Important Note About Missing Emissions Labels

If your vehicle is missing the required emissions label and you still want us to verify your vehicle but the DMV ultimately denies your registration, please understand that we do not offer refunds.


Our fees cover travel time, professional verification services, and documentation, and are non-refundable once the service is performed, regardless of the DMV’s decision. 


✅ Here’s how our pricing works:

  • The standard service fee listed on our website is for time and travel fees and includes 1 vehicle verification at no cost.
     
  • Additional vehicles at the same location are charged at $35 per vehicle.
     

📞 If you suspect your vehicle may be missing an emissions label, please contact us before scheduling your appointment. We’re happy to help assess your situation in advance. See our Pricing page for more information. 

 

🚫 Why the Emissions Label Matters (And What You Can Do If It's Missing)

The California DMV generally requires the original emissions label to be physically present on the vehicle. However, in some cases, they may accept alternative documentation to prove the vehicle meets emissions compliance—but this is at their discretion and not guaranteed.

Acceptable alternatives (if approved by the DMV) may include:

  • A Certificate of Conformity from the manufacturer, EPA, or CARB.
     
  • A previous California Title or Registration Card, proving the DMV has already accepted the vehicle’s emissions at one point and;
     
  • A Statement of Facts (REG 256) declaring that no changes or modifications have been made to the emissions system since the vehicle was last registered or titled in California
     
  • Proof the vehicle was manufactured for the U.S. market and is exempt from smog (typically 1975 and older)
  • Passed Smog Certificate within 90 days (1976 and newer).
     

⚠️ Important: The DMV's acceptance of these alternatives is not automatic nor guaranteed. 
 Always request that any requirement or instruction be provided in writing—either on a Report of Deposit of Fees (RDF) using Reason Code Z with clear notes, or on official DMV letterhead signed by an authorized agent.

However, if the DMV requires you to obtain and install a replacement label (if they wont accept any alternative option), and you do,  we’ll return to re-verify it at no charge or at a discounted rate, depending on the situation. The label must be affixed to the vehicle prior to scheduling a return visit.
 

Vehicles Affected by Missing Emissions Labels:

  • Cars, Vans, & Trucks: 1968 & newer
     
  • Motorcycles: 1978 & newer
     
  • Heavy-Duty Vehicles: 1979 & newer
     
  • Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs): 2003 & newer
     

What happens if your emissions label is missing and you bring the vehicle to DMV for VIN verification but an agent refuses to verify it until you order a replacement label and won't offer any alternative options? 

Well, you'll likely have to do what they require and bring the vehicle back after you obtain what they want. 


Want to avoid having to physically take the vehicle to the DMV? Hire a mobile VIN Verifier!


🔎 Additional Vehicle Observations

Licensed Vehicle Verifiers are also required to inspect and record the following:

  • Body Type Model (e.g., Pickup, Sedan, Van)
     
  • Number of Axles & Wheels
     
  • Odometer Reading
     
  • Vehicle Dimensions (length/width for certain vehicles)
     
  • Estimated Vehicle Weight (where applicable)
     
  • GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) – required for pickups
     

📝 Completing the REG 31

All findings are recorded on the official REG 31 form, which is certified and signed by the licensed verifier and submitted as part of your DMV paperwork (that you must provide to DMV).

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This website connects you to a California DMV Licensed Vehicle Verifier. 

This website does not provide legal advice and all information provided here is for informational purposes only. 

Vehicle Verifiers are licensed by the CA DMV but they are not employees of the CA DMV. 


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