License plates in Massachusetts are issued by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Every Massachusetts vehicle owner must have two separate license plates. One plate is affixed to the front of the vehicle and the other is affixed to the rear. The rear license plates are the only plates that have ‘stickers.’
There are multiple different types of plates that a Massachusetts vehicle owner can apply for. Most commonly, vehicle owners use specialty and standard plates. Regardless of the type of plate you apply for, the application must be completed within thirty days after the purchase of a vehicle. You can complete the application online, via the mail, or in-person. A license plate owner lookup can be performed through the same means.
How to Find the Registered Owner of a Vehicle
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation keeps records about the owners of all vehicles. The DOT in Massachusetts shares the same purpose as the DMV in many other states. You can get in touch with the Massachusetts DOT and request information about the owner of a vehicle. The following information can be provided by the state:
- License data
- Driving records
- Driver’s license information
Requests can be filed through a few different means. Most people request information in-person by going to the office of the DOT. However, lines at the Department of Transportation can sometimes be long. You can also make a request over the phone by calling 617-351-4500. Sometimes, especially when the DOT is busy, you may experience a hold for a few minutes. There’s a way to file the request online using the website of the Massachusetts DOT. Finally, you can mail a request to the following address:
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
One Ashburton Place, 13th Floor, Room 1301
Boston, MA 2108
You can also use online databases to do a reverse license plate search. These databases are provided by private companies rather than by the government. Often times they’re far more convenient and efficient than the DOT, because you don’t have to wait days for your request to process or stand in a long line.
To use an online database, simply sign up for the database of your choice, pay any of their required fees, and then enter the license plate number using the search tools available. This is a website which offers license plate searches completely free of charge. You can receive information about the registered vehicle owner and the driving records of the car. Should the initial search not yield owner contact information, oftentimes a second search will give you a phone number or email address to contact the vehicle owner.
Regardless of the method you choose, there are easy ways to receive license plate information about Massachusetts vehicles.
