27.040 Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement Request for Driver License/Identification Record Information (INF 252) forms must be forwarded to DMV headquarters for processing:
- Law enforcement individuals may request information from individual’s driver’s record, such as photo, prints, etc.
- No fee is charged to law enforcement.
27.035 Individuals
Driver’s license (DL), vehicle or vessel information may be released to:
- An individual requesting their own record.
- An individual for whom the requester has a general power of attorney (POA).
Requests for another person without POA or a minor child, spouse, or domestic partner must be forwarded to DMV headquarters for processing.
In Person by Individuals Requesting Their Own Record—the following must be submitted:
One of the following:
- Their driver’s license (DL) or identification (ID) card.
- Their vehicle or vessel license plate, CF number, vehicle identification number (VIN), or hull identification number (HIN).
- The appropriate fee.
In Person by Individual Requesting the Record of Another Person for Whom the Requester has a POA—the following must be submitted:
- One of the following forms properly completed:
- Request for Record Information (INF 70) form which must be completed online. A blank or handwritten INF 70 cannot be accepted.
- Request for Your Own Driver License/Identification Card (DL/ID) or Vehicle/Vessel Registration (VR) Information Record (INF 1125).
- A copy of the POA. The original POA must be notarized.
- Their DL/ID card.
- The appropriate fee.
Mail Requests—Requests for information received in the mail must be forwarded to DMV headquarters for processing.
27.030 Government Requesters
Government Agency Request for Driver License/Identification Record Information (INF 254) form must be forwarded to DMV headquarters for processing. There is no fee for the information.
In emergency situations only, a government agency may submit an INF 254 to a field office, and information may be released with the office manager’s approval.
27.025 Fair Political Practices Commission (Statement Of Economic Interest) (Form 700)
If a customer asks for a DMV Official’s Fair Political Practices Commission (Statement of Economic Interest) (Form 700), follow the steps below:
In-person requests—the procedures below must be followed:
Do not ask the requester’s name or reason for the request.
- Give the requester the choice of:
- You forwarding their request to the DMV Human Resources Branch (HRB).
- Directly calling, faxing, writing, or visiting the DMV HRB, Administrative Support Unit at:
DMV Human Resources Branch
Attn: COI Coordinator
2415 1st Avenue, MS A208
PO Box 932315
Sacramento, CA 94232-3150
Phone: (916) 657-7541
Fax: (916) 657-6733
- The fee to obtain a copy of the Form 700 is $0.10 per page. A $5 retrieval fee will be charged for a copy of a Form 700 that is five years or older.
27.020 DOJ/NCIC Hits
Information Requests—Use the following procedure when a DOJ stop or NCIC hit is encountered on an information request:
| If the Customer Is |
Then |
|---|---|
| If the Customer Is
Present and is the: • Registered owner of record • Legal owner of record • Insurance company representative |
Then
Give the printout to the requester. |
| If the Customer Is
Present and is not the: • Registered owner • Legal owner of record • Insurance company representative |
Then
• Do not attempt to detain the customer or in any way indicate that something is wrong. • Verify the requester’s identification. • Notify the office manager. • Follow the manager’s instructions. |
| If the Customer Is
Not present (mail or bundle item) |
Then
• Do not process the request. • Notify your manager. • Send a photocopy of the information request and printout of the vehicle record to the nearest Investigations office. • Complete the usual notification process if released by the investigator. |
27.015 Dealers
Vehicle registration information may be released to a dealer or its agent if the information is requested and used for the purpose of completing a vehicle registration transaction. The request may be submitted in person or by mail.
In-Person Requests—the following must be submitted:
- A Dealer Vehicle/Vessel Registration (VR) Information Request (INF 1120) form.
Note The INF 1120 is not available online and must be obtained from a DMV field office or ordered through the DMV Materials Management section.
Mail Requests—all information requests submitted by mail must be forwarded to DMV headquarters for processing.
27.010 Commercial Requesters (VC §1810.2)
DMV is authorized by California Vehicle Code (VC) §1810.2 to establish Commercial Requester Accounts (CRA) and issue requester codes for individuals, businesses, or organizations for the purpose of requesting information from DMV records. A requester may be approved for driver’s license, vehicle, vessel, financial responsibility, and/or occupational licensing information.
DMV has two types of requesters:
- Requesters who are preapproved to receive information from DMV to fulfill a legitimate business need pursuant to: VC §§1808, 4465, 22851.8, California Civil Code §§3067-3075, or California Harbors and Navigation Code §§500-509.
- Requesters who are not preapproved and request DMV record information on a one-time or occasional basis as authorized under VC §1808.
CRA are established for applicants who:
- Have a legitimate business need for obtaining DMV information.
- Properly complete and return the appropriate forms.
- Pay the required application fee.
- File an acceptable bond in the amount of $50,000, if required.
- Agree to establish and maintain logs which track the receipt, use, and dissemination of DMV information.
- Agree to maintain the confidentiality of the information provided.
A requester code limits access based on the requester’s statutory authority to receive the following:
- Residence address.
- Mailing address (when available).
- Basic record information (without address).
- Residence address with post notification to the subject.
As a requester, information may be obtained directly from DMV via hardcopy, magnetic tape, online, or indirectly through an approved information provider or reseller. A list of approved information providers may be obtained at dmv.ca.gov.
A requester code may be denied if the proposed use of the information is not related to the legitimate business needs or commercial purposes of the requester and:
- The requester code may be canceled immediately if the requested information is used for a purpose other than that which the requester code was issued.
- Requesters are required to maintain the security of the information received from DMV and to protect it from unauthorized access.
- Commercial Requesters may be subject to an audit by DMV.
All information requests from commercial requesters must be forwarded to DMV headquarters for processing. Additional Commercial Requester information may be obtained at dmv.ca.gov.
27.005 Attorneys
An attorney may obtain residence information in order to represent their client in a civil or criminal matter directly involving the use of a motor vehicle or vessel.
Attorney’s Information Request (INF 1161E) (PDF) forms must be forwarded to DMV headquarters for processing.
27.000 Introduction
Chapter 27 Information Requests
The DMV maintains information on vehicles, vessels, driver licenses, identification cards, and occupational licenses. The information contained in these records is considered public information, except for physical and mental condition information, which is always confidential. Residence address and social security numbers are confidential, unless the requester is authorized by law to receive it.
Chapter 27: Information Requests
27.025 Fair Political Practices Commission Statement Of Economic Interest (Form 700)
27.055 Public Records Act, Freedom of Information Act, or Information Practices Act