Does anyone know anything about a title search? I was told by my local court house I can run a title search and find all the past owners of my car. Does this sound correct?

yes, but the only catch is that it will be a history list of what they have in their system. SO in texas there system only goes back to 1980. But it only cost me 4.00

So I don't guess there is an option to hit the books and continue the search? I'm not sure how far back the local courthouse will go, I guess I can ask them. Thanks for the info.

Gambitt

I found a form on Kentucky's website and went through the state, but I can't find it online for some reason. I would say that the local courthouse would be a good way to go, if you know that your car has always been local.

I don't know about Ky, but Illinois only keeps records for 6 years. TN is a good about keeping records, though.

Send me a PM if you want any more specific information.

What about Alabama? Anyone know how far their records go back?

Gambitt: As long as you've owned your car, the courthouse may not be able to help much. KY went to a computerized system several years ago, and they are probably going to type in your VIN at the courthouse and see what comes up. It may take some talking to get someone to search through the old paper records.

I really don't expect to find much out, but for the cost it's worth a shot. Plus, I might know a couple of people up there I could talk into looking a little deeper for me. My car has been in this area since the 70's, but beyond that I have no idea where it came from. It would be nice to know.

Gambitt

Searching title history at court house?

The state Dept of Motor Vehicles handles this in most all states and I don't see you finding much in a local courthouse.

I doubt if you will get much. Several years ago a federal law was passed and is known as the Driver's Privacy Protection Act or DPPA for short. This law made it illegal for any state to provide the personal information from any state driving or vehicle record to anyone other than the person requesting their own information and to law enforcement. Personal information has been interpreted to mean, name, ssn, address, points, vehicles, plate numbers, etc... Good luck in your search.

leonard1 mentioned tennessee was good about keeping records and they are,I dont know how its handled in other states but here everything is done at the state level.You have to go to T.D.O.T.(Tn dept of Transportation)and pay 15.00 and in a month or so you get a big envelope with everything,copies of titles ,sales price,bill of sale(s) if the car is older,etc. As far as any govt. agency denying this info to you is against the law.In the early 70's the federal govt passed the freedom of information act which basically says anything in the public domain which means if the public pays the state for service then the public has a right to see it ,covers almost all property in the U.S.

The freedom of information act does not alow for the release of personal information. If the state provides any information it should only be the name of the owner, minus the address and any personal identifiers. I have been doing this type of job (investigations) for more than 30 years and I am well acquainted with the FOIA and the DPPA.

I guess some beleive all you have to do it walk in and declare I want this info under the FOI act and they have to give it to you ASAP.

got all 4 owners of mine in Maryland went all the way back to the Dealers S.M.O also everything is on film in this State.

well, they did you want to see it? the info is public record,I'm not saying the SSN# and the like,alot of stuff changed after 9/11 as well,but the info about the car ,title and previous owner is availiable in Tennessee at TDOT,...dont believe it?...give em a call

There is a form for obtaining a "vehicle history" from the State of Tennessee. I run them all the time. $5.00 for last registration, $15.00 for complete history. This history will go all the way back to the original owner with a copy of the MSO "IF" the car was sold new in Tennessee. If not sold new in Tennessee it goes back to the last "foriegn title" as stated by the State of Tennessee or out of state title to you and me from which the car came to Tennessee.

Due to the passage of Privacy Act under the Clinton administration you are NOT necessarily entitled to the information even if you own the car. You must state on the Tennessee Vehicle History Request form what your purpose is for requesting the information. In all cases check the box for personal research. If you are an individual requesting the information, the state will black out the names of the previous owners as you have agreed NOT to contact any previous owners per your signature on the request form. You can always still read the names anyway. If ever asked by a previous owner how you found the previous owner, just say you found a gas receipt in the car and say nothing about the history search you conducted to avoid any potential legal problems. To request the information you must provide YOUR name, address and driver's license number. Therefore they will know who is requesting the vehicle information.

If you are a licensed dealer, the state will send you the title history complete with NO blackout of any kind on the copies of title/registration information. You still need to request the information in the same manner as an individual and check the same box as the reason for the inquiry. I have purchased MANY cars that were "supposed" Big Block 67 Corvettes or 70 LS6 car that had no paperwork. Since the seller could no prove the history the car was cheaper. However I would get/have the history and documentation and get a deal on the car.

The Freedom of Information Act does not necessarily cover personal information such as stated on car titles/registrations with names and addess since there may/can be personal information associated with loan paperwork or other information involving the financial part of the purchase/sales transaction. Since the Tennessee vehicle history many times includes copies of loan documents with personal finanacial information, the Privacy Act trumps the Freedom of Information Act in this case. The title information is still there in some states. You just have to play the game to get it!!

Concerning Alabama, they do not even have titles for cars 1975 and older so they sure as hell do not have any title or registration information on older cars. That's how/why all those title service such a Broadway Title operate out of Alabama.