Vehicle registration and title records (abstracts)

What information is on a registration record abstract?

Each registration record abstract contains information grouped within several sections. The elements of the abstract are set by law.

 

Header 1

The "Header" section includes the registrant's

  • name
  • mailing address (City, State, and ZIP Code)
  • date of birth (DOB)
  • sex

Also included in the header is the following information about the vehicle

  • plate number
  • type of registration
  • registration expiration date
  • vehicle identification number (VIN) or hull identification number (HIN) for boats
  • year
  • make
  • color
  • body type
  • weight
  • fuel type
  • number of cylinders

 

Activity

The "Activity" section includes

  • other vehicles formerly registered to the plate number with year, make, color, body type, weight, fuel, cylinders, and VIN for each vehicle included
  • previous plate numbers that have been replaced by the current plate number
  • events which affect the registration status, such as insurance lapses and parking scofflaws may appear on a registration abstract

See Key to Abstract of Registration Plate Record/Abstract of Vehicle Title Record (DS-242.2) information on how to read and understand a registration record abstract.

 

What information is on a title record abstract?


Header  2

Each title abstract has a "Header" section that includes

  • vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • year
  • make
  • body type
  • weight
  • color
  • fuel type
  • number of cylinders
  • current owner's name, mailing address, city, state, and ZIP code
  • plate number and registration class
  • date the title was issued
  • the odometer reading at the time the vehicle was registered and a statement of explanation, if necessary

Also below the heading you will find the name and address of any lien holders with the date the lien was processed and, if applicable, the date the lien was satisfied.

Below the lienholder section you will find information about the previous owners including

  • name, mailing address, city, state, and ZIP code
  • the date title was issued to the previous owner
  • the odometer reading at the time of previous purchase and a statement of explanation, if necessary
  • previous plate number
  • type of registration
  • registration expiration date

See also Get a vehicle registration or title record.

 

  1. 1.

    This information is found at the top of an abstract, but the word “Header” is not part of the abstract.

  2. 2.

    If the person who registered the vehicle is different than the owner of the vehicle, there will be a notation below the heading along with the plate number the vehicle is registered under.