VTR-275 is the Request for Texas Motor Vehicle Information, the form the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) uses to release title and registration records for a specific vehicle. You use it to ask for a title history, a certified title history, a title and registration verification or a duplicate registration receipt. Because the Driver Privacy Protection Act restricts these records, the form requires your signature, a copy of your government issued photo ID and a statement of why you may receive the information. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the form itself is published by TxDMV.
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What is VTR-275?
Form VTR-275, Request for Texas Motor Vehicle Information, is the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) application for information held in the motor vehicle record of a described vehicle, including title history, title and registration verification and duplicate registration receipts.
The Driver Privacy Protection Act restricts access to personal information on vehicle title and registration records, so the form works as both a request and a sworn statement. You identify the vehicle (Texas license plate, year, make, Vehicle Identification Number or Title Document Number), choose the record you want, and certify that the information is for a lawful and legitimate purpose under 18 U.S. Code §§2721-2725 and Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 730.
The records you can select on page 1 are:
- Title history
- Certified title history
- Title and registration verification of a vehicle record (current or expired)
- Certified title and registration verification of a vehicle record, for court use
- Duplicate registration receipt for current registration period
- Other, with documentation explaining the request; TxDMV contacts you with the fee total, which is based on the effort to fill the request
Page 2 is the Permitted Use section, where you initial the basis on which you may receive the records. It also states the resale and redisclosure rules. The form is two pages. Fees apply to every request, and the form says they are not refundable.
Who needs to file VTR-275?
Anyone who wants TxDMV to release title or registration information for a particular Texas vehicle record uses Form VTR-275. The form sorts applicants by their authority to receive the information. You choose one of three options on page 2:
- Recorded owner or lienholder. You are the current recorded owner or lienholder of the vehicle.
- Written authorization. You attach written authorization from the person or persons listed as the recorded owner, lienholder or previous owner.
- A permitted use. You are neither of the above, but your use fits one of the permitted uses listed on the form. These include governmental entities and law enforcement, motor vehicle safety, theft, emissions or recalls, certain business verification, legal proceedings, research, insurers, towing notices, licensed private investigators, private toll facilities and consumer reporting agencies. Several of these require proof, such as a license number or documentation of a legal proceeding.
If you are not the owner or lienholder, the form tells you to initial a Permitted Use on page 2 unless you have written authorization. A business can enter its name in the Business Name field. You cannot use the information for marketing, solicitation or survey purposes, and you must not have been convicted of violating either Driver Privacy Protection Act.
When to file VTR-275
Submit Form VTR-275 whenever you need vehicle title or registration information released to you. The form prints no deadline or filing window, and it has no validity period of its own. Complete it for the specific vehicle and record you want, sign and date it, and send it with your photo ID copy and payment. If you choose the Other record option, TxDMV contacts you with the fee total, so expect that call before the request is filled. For permitted uses that need proof, such as a legal proceeding or a research occupation, gather that documentation before you submit so the request is complete the first time.
Documents you need
- A copy of your current government issued photo ID, such as a TX driver license or US passport; the form requires it with every application.
- Written authorization from the recorded owner, lienholder or previous owner, if you are not the owner or lienholder and choose that option.
- Payment as a personal check, money order or cashier's check made payable to TxDMV; cash is not accepted by mail.
- For the Other record option: documentation explaining the request.
- For a legal proceeding use: proof of the legal proceeding or proof of an anticipated proceeding.
- For the business verification use: the information to be verified against the department's records.
- For a research or statistical reports use: proof of employment in a research occupation.
- For an insurer or insurance support organization use: a Texas Department of Insurance license number or out-of-state equivalent, a license number the organization works under, or proof of self-insurance.
- For notice to the owner of a towed or impounded vehicle: a license number from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or out-of-state equivalent.
- For a private investigation agency or security service use: a license number from the Texas Department of Public Safety or out-of-state equivalent.
- For a private toll transportation facility use: documentation relating the requested personal information to the facility's operation.
- For a consumer reporting agency use: documentation on official letterhead indicating a permitted use under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
How to fill out VTR-275
Enter your applicant information
Write your First Name, Middle Name, Last Name and Suffix, plus the Business Name if applicable. Add your address, city, state, ZIP, email and phone number.
Identify your photo ID
Under Government Issued Photo Identification, enter the entity issuing the ID and its type (for example, TX Driver License or US Passport), the ID number and the expiration date. Submit a photocopy of this ID.
Describe the vehicle
Under Search Information, enter the Texas License Plate, Year, Make, Vehicle Identification Number and Title Document Number that you know for the vehicle.
Select the records you want
In Records Request, choose the record or records you need: title history, certified title history, title and registration verification, certified verification for court use, duplicate registration receipt, or Other with attached documentation.
Choose your permitted use
On page 2, initial one option: recorded owner or lienholder, attached written authorization, or one of the listed permitted uses. Check the applicable box under the use and enter any license number the line asks for.
Read the certification
Read the Certification on page 1, including the Driver Privacy Protection Act statements and the warning that falsifying information is a third degree felony.
Sign and date the form
Enter the Name of Applicant and Date, then sign on the Signature of Applicant line. The signature is required.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the vehicle details, the selected record, the initialed use and the signature. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, then assemble your ID copy, any proof or authorization and payment as described under How to submit.
How to submit VTR-275
You can submit Form VTR-275 by mail or visit a TxDMV Regional Service Center for assistance.
- By mail: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Titles and Registration Division, Austin, TX 78779-0001. Send the completed and signed form with a copy of your government issued photo ID, written authorization and any required documentation, if applicable.
- In person: The form says you may visit a TxDMV Regional Service Center for assistance. It does not list locations; find one through TxDMV at www.TxDMV.gov.
Include payment as a personal check, money order or cashier's check made payable to TxDMV. Do not mail cash. Fees are not refundable, and the form prints the fee for each record; check it on the form or with TxDMV before sending payment. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the form without a copy of your government issued photo ID; the form requires the copy along with your signature.
- Mailing cash. The form says to pay by personal check, money order or cashier's check made payable to TxDMV.
- Leaving page 2 blank when you are not the owner or lienholder and have no written authorization; you must initial a Permitted Use.
- Initialing a permitted use that requires proof, such as a license number or proof of a legal proceeding, without including it.
- Expecting a refund of the fee if the request is not what you needed; the form states fees are not refundable.
- Signing without reading the certification: state law makes falsifying information a third degree felony.
- Reselling or redisclosing the records in the same or substantially identical format as received from TxDMV.
- Selecting Other without attaching documentation explaining the request.
- Choosing more than one option in the Permitted Use section; the form says to choose one.
Frequently asked questions
What is VTR-275 used for?
VTR-275 is the TxDMV Request for Texas Motor Vehicle Information. You use it to request a title history, certified title history, title and registration verification, or a duplicate registration receipt for a described vehicle, and to certify your legal basis for receiving the information.
Who can request Texas vehicle records with this form?
The recorded owner or lienholder, someone with written authorization from the owner, lienholder or previous owner, or someone whose use fits a permitted use listed on page 2. Any other use is not covered by the form.
What do I need to send with Form VTR-275?
Send the completed and signed form with a copy of your government issued photo ID and payment. Add written authorization and any documentation your permitted use requires, if applicable.
Where do I mail Form VTR-275?
Mail it to Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Titles and Registration Division, Austin, TX 78779-0001. You can also visit a TxDMV Regional Service Center for assistance, as the form states.
How do I pay for a VTR-275 request?
Pay by personal check, money order or cashier's check made payable to TxDMV. Do not mail cash. Fees are not refundable, and the fee for each record is printed on the form, so confirm the amount there or with TxDMV.
Can I fill out Form VTR-275 online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of TxDMV and does not submit the request; you mail the signed form or take it to TxDMV.
What is the Other option on VTR-275?
Other is for a request that does not match the listed records. Attach documentation explaining the request. TxDMV contacts you with the fee total, which is based on the effort needed to fill the request.
What happens if I give false information on this form?
The certification states that state law makes falsifying information a third degree felony. Violators can be prosecuted under Texas Transportation Code, Section 730.013 and Penal Code, Section 37.10.
Can I resell the information I get from TxDMV?
Not in the same or substantially identical format as TxDMV provided it. Redisclosure is allowed only to other authorized recipients for the permitted use, and those who resell or redisclose must keep transaction records for at least five years.
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