License plate numbers are public records but you need a good reason to find information attached to them.You’ve probably wondered out of curiosity if, for any reason, you could look up someone’s address using their license plate numbers alone. Show Embed from Getty Images License plate numbers and the registration information attached to them are actually public record, meaning that anyone can theoretically look up the address attached to it. But, it’s not as easy as calling or submitting a request to your local DMV on a whim. While information like driving history and registration information attached to license plates are public records, because of the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act of 1994, a federal statue states abide by, anyone can obtain information attached to plate numbers only if…
Basically, if you need the address or other information attached to a license plate, you fill out an online form (or submit a paper copy in person or by mail) titled something like “Driver License Records Request,” pay any fees, and wait for a DMV rep to approve your request. What are those certain circumstances?As you can probably guess, you can’t just look up someone’s address using their license plates just because you’re curious. You have to have a legitimate, oftentimes official, reason. Most states follow what certain circumstances are laid out by DPPA of 1994 and you’ll often find those reasons on the request form. Circumstances include,
Here’s what that list looks like on the records request form in Florida. Driver’s License Records Request permissible uses.As you can see, there are a variety of official reasons someone might need an address attached to a license plate. If you truly and honestly think your reason fits in with one of the certain circumstances above, the best you can do is submit your request form and wait for approval. Other ways to find an address or other information attached to a license plate.If your reason to find an address attached to a plate does not fit any reason above, you’ll have to think outside the box. If it’s a personal plate, you’d be surprised how much information that plate owner shares by posting about it on social media. You may be able to find information attached to those plates by looking up that sequence of numbers and letters on the most popular social media platforms. If it’s a plate of someone involved in an accident, like a hit-and-run, there’s a chance someone’s already reported it on a site like Find By Plate. Oftentimes, a member of the public will comment information they know pertaining to the plate number you’re looking up. If you’re out of options, persistent, and hellbent on finding information, like an address, attached to a plate, if you know where that car is likely to be, there’s nothing illegal about following a car only ifyou’re not doing anything inherently illegalwhile following said car. For example, if you’re following a car more than once (key phrase- “more than once” AKA a pattern) and your subject feels any kind of fear attached to your following them, that’s literally stalking. ConclusionGenerally, mostly only police and law enforcement are going to have the ability to look up someone’s address within seconds with a license plate. Everyone else with a legit circumstance will have to fill out the correct forms and wait. If you have no good reason or have nefarious plans (stalking, vengeful ex, etc.) no, you can’t legally obtain someone’s address with a license plate number. |