How to get a VIN verification in California
A California vehicle identification number (VIN) verification is a physical inspection recorded on the Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires one, with a few exceptions, to register a vehicle last registered out of state. A DMV employee, peace officer, auto club employee or licensed vehicle verifier fills it out, never the applicant.
Not a government website. Not legal advice.
Last checked · 5 official sources
For anyone registering a car in California that was last registered in another state, or a car the DMV has asked to have inspected.
What is a VIN verification in California?
REG 31 · Verification of Vehicle- The DMV may require a physical inspection of a vehicle, called a verification of vehicle, before it completes a registration.dmv.ca.gov checked
- The verification is always done on the Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form, unless the DMV requires an Application for Assigned Vehicle Identification Number Plate (REG 124) instead.dmv.ca.gov checked
- The applicant does not fill out the form. An authorized verifier completes all of it while physically inspecting the complete, assembled vehicle.dmv.ca.gov checked
- Missing sections, changes, cross-outs or erasures void the form, even when initialed, and a new verification is needed.dmv.ca.gov checked
- The California Highway Patrol (CHP) may also verify the vehicle.dmv.ca.gov checked
How do I get a VIN verification in California?
Choose who verifies the car.
A DMV employee, a peace officer, an employee of an auto club that provides registration services, or a person licensed as a vehicle verifier by the DMV.
dmv.ca.gov checkedBring the car and its ownership papers.
The verifier compares the VIN with your ownership papers, so bring the car with its last out-of-state title or registration card.
dmv.ca.gov checkedThe verifier inspects the car and fills in the REG 31.
The verifier fills in the whole form while physically inspecting the complete, assembled car. You do not fill it out yourself.
dmv.ca.gov checkedSubmit the REG 31 with your application and the fees.
Give the DMV the REG 31 with an Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) signed by every registered owner, and the registration, transfer and use tax fees that apply.
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Picking a licensed vehicle verifier? Check the license before you pay.
When does the DMV require a VIN verification?
The DMV requires a verification of vehicle for:
- Registering a vehicle last registered out of state.
- Registering a vehicle again after it was junk or salvage, unless the application includes a CHP Certificate of Inspection (CHP 97C).
- Registering a specially constructed vehicle or trailer.
- A vehicle the DMV has no record of, except a new vehicle a licensed California dealer reported sold on an Application for Registration of a New Vehicle (REG 397).
- Recording an engine change, a motorcycle engine case change, or a change from engine number to VIN.
- When the DMV assigns a VIN.
- When the VIN on the ownership papers is different from the VIN on record, including vehicles being junked.
When a verification is not required
- A new trailer bought in another state that qualifies for the permanent trailer identification (PTI) program, if it has never been registered, has not been modified or built from a kit, and comes with a manufacturer's certificate or statement of origin for the complete trailer.
- A new commercial vehicle bought in another state that has not been registered in California (apart from International Registration Plan registration in the last 60 days), has not been modified or built from a kit, weighs 6,001 pounds or more unladen and meets California emission standards.
- A vehicle that does not meet California emission standards still needs a verification.
Who can do a VIN verification in California?
- Employees of the DMV.
- Peace officers, including military police.
- Employees of auto clubs that provide registration services. They add their auto club's short name to their signature.
- People licensed as vehicle verifiers by the DMV.
What a licensed vehicle verifier can do
- A licensed verifier may verify nonresident vehicles, and any vehicle or trailer other than a used motorcycle that has supporting documents but no California record.dmv.ca.gov checked
- Licensed vehicle verifiers cannot inspect revived salvage or revived junk vehicles, specially constructed vehicles, or motorcycles last registered in California whose record no longer shows in the DMV database.dmv.ca.gov checked
- All other verifications go to the DMV or the California Highway Patrol for inspection.dmv.ca.gov checked
Where the car is inspected
The REG 31 form records where the vehicle was inspected. Whoever does the verification has to inspect the complete vehicle in person.
- The form has a box for where the vehicle was physically verified: the verifier's address given on the form, or another place the verifier writes in.dmv.ca.gov checked
- If the verifier ticks Other, they write the address or location where they verified the vehicle.dmv.ca.gov checked
- The verifier also writes the city and state where they signed the form.dmv.ca.gov checked
Looking for a mobile VIN verification? The REG 31 lets the verifier record a place other than the address on the form. dmv.ca.gov checked
We do not list or recommend private verifiers. Before you book one, check the license with the DMV.
VIN verification for a car from out of state
A nonresident vehicle is one last registered in another state or country. dmv.ca.gov checked
To register one in California, the DMV asks for:
- An Application for Title or Registration (REG 343), signed by every registered owner on the out-of-state registration or title.
- The last out-of-state title. Without it, the California registration card is marked Nontransferable and no California title is issued.
- The last out-of-state registration certificate or current renewal notice, or a letter, fax or wire from the last registration state confirming the owners and the expiration date.
- A Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) completed by an authorized verifier. See who can do it.
- A smog certification from a California smog station for the vehicles that need one, such as gasoline models from 1976 and newer (motorcycles are exempt).
- The out-of-state license plates, unless they are expired or must go back to the state that issued them.
- The registration, transfer and use tax fees that apply.
Bought the car from a private seller? The title steps are in the California title transfer guide.
Living in California with the car in another state
- A California resident whose vehicle is in another state may still register it in California.
- The vehicle verification is done by a regularly employed peace officer of the state where the vehicle is, and the odometer mileage must be recorded.
- Any authorized California vehicle verifier, including a peace officer, can also complete the REG 31, emission label check included.
- The owner also sends a REG 256 that shows their California address, certifies they are a California resident and states the vehicle meets California emission standards or will when it enters California.
Common questions
What is a VIN verification in California?
A physical inspection of the vehicle by an authorized verifier, recorded on the Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form.
dmv.ca.gov checked
Who can do a VIN verification in California?
Employees of the DMV, peace officers, employees of auto clubs that provide registration services, and people licensed as vehicle verifiers by the DMV.
dmv.ca.gov checked
Do I need a VIN verification for a car from another state?
Yes. The DMV requires one, with a few exceptions, to register a vehicle last registered out of state. The exceptions are some new trailers and new commercial vehicles bought in another state.
dmv.ca.gov checked
Where is the car inspected for a VIN verification?
The REG 31 form records where the vehicle was physically verified: the verifier's address on the form, or another place the verifier writes in. The verifier fills in the form while inspecting the complete, assembled vehicle.
dmv.ca.govsource 2 checked
Can I fill out the REG 31 myself?
No. The form says it is not to be completed by the applicant.
dmv.ca.gov checked
I live in California but my car is in another state. Who verifies it?
A regularly employed peace officer of the state where the vehicle is. The odometer mileage must be recorded.
dmv.ca.gov checked
Sources for this page
- dmv.ca.gov/portal/
file/ Checkedhow-to-register-an-out-of-state-vehicle-htvr9/ - dmv.ca.gov/portal/
file/ Checkedvehicle-verifier-license-handbook-ol-301-pdf/ - dmv.ca.gov/portal/
file/ Checkedverification-of-vehicle-reg-31-pdf/ - dmv.ca.gov/portal/
handbook/ Checkedvehicle-industry-registration-procedures-manual-2/ general-registration-information/ vehicle-verifications/ - dmv.ca.gov/portal/
handbook/ Checkedvehicle-industry-registration-procedures-manual-2/ nonresident-vehicles/ out-of-state-california-resident/
About this page
This page summarizes official California sources in plain English. Car Title Steps is not a government website, is not connected to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, and does not file or prepare forms. Confirm each step with the agency before you sign, pay or mail anything. Found a mistake? Email mr@marcelruettgers.com.