VIN Inspection Required
Because you only have a bill of sale, Montana requires a VIN inspection before we can recover your title. A law enforcement officer in any state, or an authorized VIN verifier, completes our Montana form and provides their credentials. It's a simple process, and this page explains exactly what's needed.
No payment yet. Upload your completed documents at the bottom of this page and we'll review them first. Once everything checks out, we'll email you a secure link to pay.
Get your VIN inspected
Your vehicle must be physically inspected in person. The inspector completes Section 2 of our Montana form.
| Who | Where |
|---|---|
| Local law enforcement | Any state. Call your local non-emergency police line and ask to meet an officer for a VIN verification requested by the DMV. |
| Licensed VIN verifiers | AZ, CA, CO, FL, NV, OH, UT, VA |
| Notaries | Florida only |
| Dealerships | CO, NV, FL |
This list is not exhaustive. Always check your state's rules on VIN verifications.
Dirt bikes, ATVs and UTVs that are 10 model years old or newer (2016 and up as of 1/1/26) must be inspected by law enforcement. A third-party verifier cannot be used for these vehicles.
The inspector completes the form
Montana Form MV20, Stage 1 Vehicle/OHV Inspection. Completed in ink. It cannot be filled out online.
- The inspector must use this Montana MV20 form, not an equivalent one from another state
- Section 2 is the inspector's part and must be completed with an ink pen
- They write the year, make, model, color, VIN, mileage, and where the VIN is located on the vehicle
- They sign it and add their name, the date, their ID or badge number, and their department
Leave Section 1 alone. We've already filled in the address for you, and we'll complete the rest once your documents are approved. Don't add your own name or details. Getting that part wrong is one of the most common reasons a form comes back, and we'd rather handle it.
Get the inspector's credentials
We need one document showing the inspector's name, ID number and department. Photograph it while you're still with them.
If inspected by law enforcement
If inspected by a third-party verifier
If your inspection was done by a Florida notary, the notary stamp on the form serves as the credential and nothing extra is needed.
A photo of the officer's badge is not accepted. A badge on its own doesn't show the inspector's name, so the DMV will reject it. Use one of the items above instead.
Take your photos before you leave
All of these have to be taken while you're still with the vehicle. The odometer photo in particular must match the mileage the inspector wrote on the form.
Every vehicle
Cars and trucks 1981 and newer, one extra photo
We also need the federal safety label, sometimes called the federal certification label or safety compliance sticker. Check these spots, in order:
- The driver's door jamb, by far the most common location
- The edge of the driver's door itself
- The door frame pillar
- Occasionally under the hood or inside the glove box
Skip this photo if you're registering a motorcycle, dirt bike, ATV or UTV, or if your vehicle is a 1980 or older. Many pre-1981 vehicles were built before this label was required.
Make sure every photo is usable
Download the form
Print it and bring it with you to the inspection.
Montana VIN Inspection Form
Includes the form itself plus a cover sheet with instructions for the inspector.
Download the form ↓Submit for review
Scan or photograph your documents and upload them right here. A free scanner app on your phone gives the cleanest result.
No payment yet. We review everything first, then email you a secure link to pay.
- Completed Montana VIN Inspection formSection 2 filled in, in ink
- Inspector's credentialsPhoto ID, officer card, business card or verifier license
- Photo of the odometerMileage matching the form
- Photo of the VINDashboard for cars and trucks, frame for motorcycles and OHVs
- Photo of the federal safety labelCars and trucks, 1981 and newer only
Common questions
Why is a VIN inspection needed at all?
The DMV does not want to work with vehicles where the VIN may have been tampered with. Having an independent third party physically confirm the presence and condition of the VIN limits their liability, and the completed form is the proof that it happened.
Why do you need the federal safety label too?
The label carries a manufacturer-applied VIN that is separate from the plate on the dashboard. Matching the two lets the DMV confirm the VIN hasn't been altered or swapped.
Does anything need to be mailed?
No. Everything is handled online now. Scan or photograph your documents and upload them on this page.
What if my vehicle doesn't have a VIN, or I can't find it?
Give us a call at (800) 994-7513 and we'll walk you through it. Older vehicles often have a serial number on the frame instead, which the DMV will accept.
How long does the inspection take?
The inspection itself is usually ten minutes. Most of the time is spent scheduling it. Calling your local non-emergency police line is typically the fastest route.
Stuck on any of this?
We'll walk you through it. Mon–Fri 9am–9pm EST, Sat 9am–5pm EST.