How to Report a Stolen Car Registration
by Sabah KarimiWhen a thief takes your car registration papers, your identity may be compromised and your vehicle may be vulnerable to theft. You need to report the incident as soon as possible to appropriate authorities before applying for new registration papers.
Step 1
Call the local sheriff or deputy's office to report the incident. Explain when you found out the registration was stolen and how it was taken from the car or from your possession. Provide identifying information such as your vehicle's license plate number; make, model and year of the vehicle; insurance information; and your personal contact information such as name, address and driver's license number.
Step 2
Call your state's department of motor vehicles (DMV) to report that your car's registration has been stolen. The DMV stores all car registration information in a secure database. The department may require you to come in to verify your identity and get a new copy of your registration materials, or they may send you a new registration by mail. Here again, you will need to provide identifying information such as your vehicle's license plate number; make, model and year of the vehicle; insurance information; and your personal contact information such as name, address and driver's license number.
Step 3
Contact your insurance company to report the incident, and tell the company representative that you have contacted the police and the DMV. While the insurance company may not change vehicle details until later, they do need to know that your identity may have been compromised.
Tips
- If your registration tags have been stolen, too, you must apply for new tags in person at the local DMV. The DMV may ask you to fill out an Application for Duplicate Registration Card, either in person, or by mail. Some DMVs allow you to submit an application for a new registration online.
Things You'll Need
- Your vehicle identification number (VIN) License plate number Driver's license information
Warnings
- Replacing lost or stolen registration cards can cost between $5 and 10.
Writer Bio
Sabah Karimi is a professional Web and print copywriter. She specializes in several niches including travel, fashion, beauty, health, fitness, lifestyle and small business. Karimi has an educational background in business administration and marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
