Has anyone been asked to complete a VIN Verification before? The form doesn’t have notarial language on it and it appears that this is a separate request outside of Notary. I appreciate any feedback in advance!
- Stephanie
Who is hiring you? There are companies that hire notaries for things like collateral verification/inspection. I’ve done that for a company requesting collateral verification before. So not knowing where you are located, I don’t know.
It was an out of state trucking company. After further research, here in Wisconsin I would need to be licensed motor vehicle dealer or recreational vehicle dealer with a permanent location. Apparently there is even a separate bond that is needed to even do these types of verifications. The other option is law enforcement to complete the request.
What state are you from?
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Found this with a quick search…
The following persons are authorized to verify a vehicle VIN number
- An employee or agent of a law enforcement agency who is authorized to perform inspections.
- An employee or agent of any state department of transportation who is authorized to perform inspections.
If I were you I would have the person/hiring party double check with WI DMV. It does not seem as if just anybody can verify a VIN in WI.
Hope this helps
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WA. I sent a picture of a VIN and a car. I didn’t fill anything out
Thank you so much Linda! This is very helpful. 
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I would check with your state law to see if it’s legal to do. In my state, vin verifications can only be done by the sheriff’s department.
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Thanks Barbara! After further research, this request is something that cannot be done by a Wisconsin Notary Public unless I have a motor vehicle dealers license or if I was Law Enforcement. What state are you from?
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@ssknotaryservices You’re Awesome for returning & providing an Update! Thank You 
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Thank you so much! Love that this platform is available to learn from one another. Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
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Yes, I have been contacted over the years to do these kind of things I guess they feel it is a safe place for them to ask for the task. Even though it has nothing to do with notarizing. Just a simple verification.
I do them when asked in Florida. There are plenty of things that notaries can be offered to do because of our status and that we can choose to do. I have companies that offer VIN, I-9 form verifications, home inspections, offer to set lock boxes, and even intermediate transactions.
VIN verification is an authorized notarial duty in the state of Florida. The state outlines the appropriate form to use. I understand notaries in most other states are not authorized to do this duty. Florida does not set the fee for VIN verification.
A slight clarification here - Florida specifies $10 per notarial act..since VIN verification is a notarial act, it’s $10 plus a modest travel fee. Also, the form used is a state form. The only forms outlined by the statutes are various acknowledgements and jurats (as the situation dictates)..
That is incorrect. Florida statutes provide that a Florida notary public may charge up to $10 for each notarial act listed under Part I of Chapter 117, excluding the solemnization of marriages.
VIN verification is one of the notarial acts NOT listed under Part I, therefore the fee is not set by the state.
Best practices are the notary public should charge a reasonable fee, and the signer should be informed of and agree to the fees beforehand.
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Thank you, I stand correctly. It used to be listed as one of our duties I’m surprised it’s not listed any longer. On the VIN verification form itself it does state if not a notary then provide following information.
Again, thank you for the correction