mississippi License Plate Search

Is It Legal to Do a Mississippi License Plate Search?

Searching license plates in Mississippi is regulated by the federal and state laws of Mississippi. According to the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), it is prohibited to make some information, such as owner name and address, public records. Police and law enforcement bodies, insurance agencies, and other government agencies legally have access to these records. If one desires to retrieve information on a vehicle, the options are minimal. Many services are online which will offer some general details, like model and make, of the year a car was produced but personal details demand the right permission for access. For one to obtain any official vehicle records, the Mississippi DOR is the authoritative body, but access is allowed only in the stated legal circumstances.

How to perform a license plate search in Mississippi?

Mississippi does not provide any publicly available database for searching license plate information. To obtain car history or ownership records in most instances, you have to approach the Mississippi Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle Licensing Bureau. 

You would normally access these records on proof of qualification by the rules on DPPA. A number of third-party vendors are operating some services for vehicle data on web access. You need to be cautious as regards their legitimacy. If your reasons are of a legal nature, which includes checking history on a vehicle you intend to buy, you can access the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System for reports verified from reliable sources. These records are easily accessed by police and law enforcement agencies, but private citizens have to be taken through more strict procedures before they can legally obtain vehicle records.

Can I Look Up a Mississippi License Plate for Free?

Detailed car records are not available for free in Mississippi due to privacy regulations. While there are a few free websites that may give out basic information, such as the type of vehicle and its registration status, the details about the owner are not publicly available. If one needs official records, the Mississippi Department of Revenue charges to search car records. The fee and requirements vary based on the nature of information required. If you have a valid legal reason to look up a vehicle or if there is an automobile accident, police departments can handle that. Be cautious, however, of independent websites claiming to provide you with owner information free without any charge as such websites have continually been reported to violate private information protection laws or provide outdated information.

What Are the Different Types of Mississippi License Plates?

Standard plates, personalized plates, specialty plates, and disability plates are the various license plates issued by Mississippi. 

A standard plate includes the state motto, “In God We Trust,” with a background design including the state seal. 

Personalized plates permit motorists to create their own letter and number combination but are subject to state policy in regard to offensive or misleading messages. 

Specialty plates promote Universities, Military, Wildlife Conservation, and Charities to name a few. Some specialty plates have additional fees, and some have particular eligibility criteria. 

Disability Plates and placards are issued to motorists with qualifying medical conditions and must be signed off by a qualified physician.

How to Register and Renew a Mississippi License Plate

You must register your vehicle within thirty days of the purchase of the vehicle or relocation to the state of Mississippi in person by visiting your Tax Collector’s Office. Some of the documents you need for registration are the vehicle title, proof of insurance, and registration fee. 

The registration fee depends on the weight of the vehicle, type of the vehicle, and location. Mississippi also uses ad valorem tax, wherein the tax is a function of the vehicle’s assessed value and local tax rates. 

License plate renewal usually follows on an annual basis either online on the Mississippi DOR web page, by mailing, or visiting an office in person. There is a late penalty applied to license plate renewals. If moving intra-state, your registration needs to be updated to reflect an address change.

What Are the Rules to Transfer or Replace a License Plate in Mississippi?

The Mississippi license plate does not transfer to the new owner when you sell your vehicle. The seller must remove the plate, however, and can transfer the plate to another vehicle that he or she owns by applying at the Tax Collector’s Office. 

In case of lost, stolen, or destroyed plates, you would apply for a replacement with a police report (if required), ID, and the replacement fee. Mississippi provides temporary tags on new vehicle purchases. These temporary tags are valid for seven business days to provide time to register. Without a current license plate, one might face a fine or citation.

This resource will take you through a step-by-step detailed search into the land of Mississippi license plates and the laws involved with license plates, providing insight into the procedural and legal aspects of vehicle records and registration in the State of Mississippi. If you need official information, please contact the Mississippi Department of Revenue or your local Tax Collector’s Office.

Recent Mississippi License Plate Search