What do I need to do?

Provide proof of the identity of the person who conducted your VIN inspection. Photos must be clear and legible. We only need one document as long as it meets all of the DMV’s requirements.

To do this, provide us with at least one of the following items:

• If inspected by a cop:

  • A photo of the inspecting officer’s badge

  • A photo or scan of the inspecting officer's business card

  • Any other official identifying document that meets our criteria

• If inspected by a third-party VIN verifier:

  • Picture of VIN Verifier’s Active License OR any document showing they have authorization to perform VIN inspections

  • In some states like FL, LA, NC, OH, PA, VA, and WV, a notary can inspect the VIN. In this case the notary stamp will be considered the credential

Depending on your state, you can use a third-party VIN verifier to do your inspection.

And you can always just call your local non-emergency police phone number and request to meet with an officer for a VIN Verification on your vehicle.

Since the VIN Inspection Form must be mailed to us, the easiest thing to do is attach the credentials to the form when you mail it.

Why is this needed?

As we covered in the last step, having a third party physically confirm the presence of the VIN helps the DMV limit their liability. To prove that an independent third party has actually inspected the vehicle, the DMV requires proof of the inspecting agent’s identity.

More information:

• Article: Why VIN Checks Are A Must When Buying A Used Car