| General Records & Privacy Information |
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| Overview |
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DMV is required by Oregon law to maintain vehicle and driver records. The majority of these are considered public records and are available, via various manual and automated methods, by making a request and paying a fee. However, there are laws and circumstances that prohibit certain information contained within DMV records from being disclosed.
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| Oregon Record Privacy Law |
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On September 13, 1997 Oregon's Record Privacy Law went into effect. The purpose of the law is to make personal information contained in DMV records private. This protects Oregon citizens from having personal information in their DMV records given out to individuals not authorized to receive it. Please refer to Oregon law (ORS 802.175-802.191) and Oregon Administrative Rule 735-010-0200 through 0230 for the complete list of what entities may qualify for personal information and the allowed uses of personal information.
Personal Information is:
- Driver License, Driver Permit, or Identification Card Number
- Name
- Address
- Telephone Number
DMV is required by Oregon law to maintain vehicle and driver records. The majority of these records are considered public records and are available by making a request and paying a fee. There are certain circumstances where certain information contained in DMV records cannot be disclosed. This does not mean that DMV records are no longer available to the public. DMV records are available with or without personal information. Only the personal information contained in the record is protected. Customers can still obtain records even if they don't qualify for personal information, but the records they receive will be "sanitized" to remove all personal information other than their own. Any customer can purchase a sanitized record.
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| Oregon Consumer Identity Theft Protection Act |
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The Oregon Consumer Identity Theft Protection Act was passed during the 2007 Legislative Session and applies to all businesses, organizations, government agencies, and individuals that collect and maintain personally identifying information. The intent of the law is to ensure the security of customer information and to outline steps that must be taken in the event of a security breach. The law also allows consumers to place a "security freeze" on their credit reports maintained by credit reporting agencies. DMV has developed a security plan addressing the requirements of the law as well as a model for responding to breaches.
Please visit the Oregon Consumer and Business Services website at http://www.cbs.state.or.us/dfcs/id_theft.html for more information on this law.
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| FAQs About DMV Records & Privacy Protection |
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This section provides answers to the following frequently asked questions about DMV records and privacy protection:
You may click on any of the links above to go directly to a specific question and answer.
Can anyone call up and get information on my driving record?
No. Personal information in driving records is protected and only released to qualified entities under Oregon's Record Privacy Law ( ORS 802.175-802.191). These are generally agencies and businesses such as law enforcement agencies, insurance companies, and attorneys. Personal information is name, address, telephone number and driver license, permit or identification number. Any customer can purchase a sanitized record by making a request and paying the appropriate record fee. A sanitized record will not contain any personal information other than your own. Access to confidential information such as your Social Security Number and DMV photograph is highly restricted. Social Security Numbers are only disclosed to qualified government agencies for purposes such as child support enforcement and law enforcement investigations. DMV photographs are only provided to law enforcement officials.
If I give you a license plate number can you tell me who owns the vehicle?
No. Personal information in motor vehicle records is protected and only released to qualified entities under Oregon's Record Privacy Law (ORS 802.175-802.191). These are generally agencies and businesses such as law enforcement agencies, government agencies, insurance companies, and attorneys. Personal information is name, address, telephone number and driver license, permit or identification number.
What is DMV doing to ensure that my personal information is secure?
Oregon’s Record Privacy Law ( ORS 802.175-802.191) protects the personal information in DMV records from being released to the general public. Personal information is: name, address, driver license/ID/permit number, and telephone number. The law does allow certain entities (law enforcement, government agencies, attorneys, insurance companies, and others) to access personal information for specific purposes. All entities must provide proof of identity and certify to their use of the information. Certain information such as social security number is never displayed on hardcopy records nor is it released unless the requestor is a government agency (i.e. law enforcement) with a specific need for the information.
Does DMV sell mailing lists?
No. DMV has not provided any mailing lists for solicitation purposes since 2001. Prior to 2001, Oregon law required DMV to provide mailing lists. At that time, the law also allowed Oregon citizens to "opt-out", which meant to request to DMV that their name and address not be provided for direct mailing purposes. Only those people who had not "opted-out" would appear on a mailing list. In 2001, the law was amended and every citizen in Oregon was automatically opted out. Now, you have to ask to be on a mailing list.
Please note that any lists obtained prior to 2001 could still be used for mailing purposes, and there are other ways names and addresses are obtained for mailing lists. Credit cards, surveys, contests, etc. are but a few of the methods unrelated to DMV records used to obtain your information.
Does DMV charge for all record requests?
Yes. Oregon DMV must charge for all records requests per the Oregon Constitution Article 9, Section 3A. If a public body is funded by statutorily or constitutionally dedicated funds, that public body cannot provide public records at less than actual cost. DMV is an example of such a public body as we are funded by the Highway Fund dollars and must recover actual cost when providing public records in order to recover said Highway Fund dollars.
Why does DMV collect social security numbers?
DMV collects and uses social security numbers (SSNs) for the following purposes:
- In accordance with state law (ORS 807.050 and OAR 735-062-0005), applicants for a driver license, permit, identification card and/or commercial driver licenses (CDLs) are required to provide their SSN to DMV. The SSN is verified with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm the applicant’s identity. The SSN is also used in the Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS) and the National Driver Register (NDR). Oregon and other states access these databases to determine the eligibility of drivers to be licensed in their states.
- In accordance with the 1996 Federal Welfare Reform Act [42 USC 405(c)(2)(C) and 666(a)(13)], DMV is required to capture SSNs on all driver license and permit applications for child support verification and enforcement purposes. This is codified in ORS 25.785. Availability of federal funds to state welfare programs is contingent upon our collection of SSNs.
How does DMV protect my social security number?
SSNs will not be displayed on driver licenses, permits, or ID cards, or released on DMV records. Furthermore, access to an SSN is allowed only to qualified government agencies.
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| FAQs About Ordering A DMV Record |
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This section provides answers to the following frequently asked questions about ordering DMV records:
You may click on any of the links above to go directly to a specific question and answer.
What records are available?
Click here for a list of DMV Records that are available.
How much do they cost?
Click here for a list of fees for DMV records.
How do I order my own record?
You can order your own record with an Order Your Own Record, Form 7266. Records are mailed to you at your address shown on DMV's computer unless you indicate otherwise. If you want records faxed or mailed to an address other than your address on DMV's record, you must include enough information in your request for DMV to verify your identity, such as: date of birth, place of birth, address of record, mother's maiden name, etc. If you are requesting a record that contains another person's personal information as well as your own (such as a title history or odometer history), your personal information will appear on the record but the other person's will not.
Your request must include:
- A written request or a completed Order Your Own Record, Form7266, that includes;
- The type of record you are requesting (refer to the DMV Records Fee List for more information);
- Enough information for DMV to locate the correct record:
- For vehicle records this includes vehicle identification number, plate number and owner information;
- For driver records this includes name, date of birth, address, and driver license number;
- The address you want the record mailed to;
- Payment of the applicable fees by check or money-order payable to "Oregon DMV" (refer to the DMV Records Fee List for more information); and
- If you indicate in your request that you want to pick the record up at DMV Headquarters in Salem, include your daytime phone number and you will need to provide proof of your identity at the time you pick-up the record; or
- If your record is to be mailed, you must provide enough information in your request for DMV to verify your identity, such as date of birth, place of birth, address of record, mother's maiden name, etc.
Mail your request and fee to:
Oregon DMV
Attn: Record Services
1905 Lana Ave.NE
Salem, OR 97314
How will I receive records I have ordered?
Records will be mailed unless you make arrangements to pick them up at DMV Headquarters in Salem. You should indicate this at the time the record is ordered. Please include a daytime phone number in your request. You will be required to provide proof of your identity when picking up records. If you plan on picking up records for someone else, you must present a notarized permission slip and your identification. A parent or guardian of a minor child will be required to prove that relationship.
Who can order records at a DMV Office?
Record information available at DMV Offices is limited. Most requests must be ordered from DMV Headquarters in Salem. When requesting personal information at DMV Offices, you must provide proof of your identity.
DMV Offices can order records for customers under the following conditions:
- A person can order their own record.
- A parent or guardian of a minor (not emancipated) can order the child's records.
- A person with a notarized power of attorney or notarized permission slip can order records of the person who signed the power of attorney or permission slip (businesses cannot use this method to request records).
- Anyone can order a record for another person as long as the record is mailed to the address on record for the person whose record you are ordering.
Can I order a record containing someone else's personal information?
If you are requesting a record that contains someone else's personal information (name, address, telephone number, and driver license, driver permit, or identification card number) as well as your own, (such as a vehicle title history) you must use a Request for Information Form 7122. If you do not qualify to receive personal information you will be sent a 'sanitized' copy of the record. A sanitized record will not contain any personal information other than your own.
How do I order a sanitized record from DMV?
Sanitized records can only be ordered, by mail, from DMV Headquarters in Salem. They contain only the personal information of the person receiving the record. For example, if DMV sends a sanitized vehicle history to John Doe, only John Doe's customer number, name, address, and telephone number will appear on the record. Any other person’s personal information will be blocked out. Other information that is not personal, such as odometer readings, will still appear on the record.
To order a sanitized record, submit a written request that includes:
- The type of record you are requesting (refer to the DMV Record Fee List);
- Enough information for DMV to identify the correct record;
- Where to send the record;
- A statement that you understand that the personal information contained in the record will be omitted; and
- A check or money order, payable to "Oregon DMV" for the correct fees (refer to DMV Record Fee List).
Mail your request and fee to:
Oregon DMV
Attn: Record Services
1905 Lana Ave. NE
Salem OR 97314
Who qualifies to receive personal information from DMV records?
Under Oregon law ORS 802.175 - 802.191 and Oregon Administrative Rule 735-010-0200 through 0230, only certain entities qualify to receive personal information from motor vehicle records. Some of these entities may include attorneys, legitimate businesses, insurance companies, police agencies, and other government agencies. Please refer to Oregon law (ORS 802.175-802.191) for a complete list of which entities may qualify for personal information and the allowed uses of the information.
Entities listed on DMV form 7122, Request for Information Form may qualify to order records containing personal information. Entities and individuals eligible to receive personal information must submit a request, by mail, to DMV Headquarters. Please include:
- A completed and signed Request for Information Form;
- Any required documentation proving you qualify for personal information; and
- A check or money order, payable to “Oregon DMV," for the correct fee (refer to the DMV Record Fee List).
Mail your request and fee to:
Oregon DMV
Attn: Record Services
1905 Lana Ave.NE
Salem, OR 97314
If you think you qualify for personal information, but are not listed on Form 7122, you may submit a written request explaining how you qualify and why you need the information or
e-mail the Record Services Unit at Requestforinfo@odot.state.or.us.
Can I order records over the Internet?
Only DMV Record Inquiry Account holders can order records on-line and have them faxed or mailed back. DMV does not provide records to the general public through the Internet at this time. Although there are Web sites that claim to sell Oregon driving records and vehicle records, those companies are not affiliated with Oregon DMV, and in most cases may not be authorized to provide such records.
How do I submit a Public Records Request for Statistics to DMV?
There are many different ways to request records from DMV. If you want to request non-standard records such as statistical data, please completely fill out DMV's Public Record Request form and send it to the address on the form. If you want driver or vehicle records please use the Order Your Own Records form to order your own records or the Request for Personal Information form to order records other than your own.
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| FAQs About Ordering Traffic Accident Information |
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This section provides answers to the following frequently asked questions about ordering traffic accident reports:
You may click on any of the links above to go directly to a specific question and answer.
Please see the Accident Reporting and Insurance Verification Unit for information on when to file an Oregon Traffic Accident and Insurance Report Form. There are two types of accident information records available.
How do I order a Copy of an Oregon Traffic Accident and Insurance Report?
Copies of Oregon Traffic Accident and Insurance Reports filed with DMV are not available.
However, certain insurance, vehicle, and driver information contained in the report may be
provided in letter form to qualified requestors.
Qualified requestors include:
- Parties involved in an accident - Parties involved in an accident are defined as any driver, vehicle owner or passenger. Witnesses are not considered "involved" in an accident. Parties involved in an accident may order informational letters at any full-service DMV field office or by mail. The field office must verify the requester's identity and that the requester is qualified to receive personal information.
- Family members of involved parties - May request informational letters by mail only. The request must include information which shows the requestor's relationship to the party involved in the accident.
- Personal representative's for involved parties -May request informational letters by mail only. Requests from an attorney must be on letterhead stationery and signed. Other personal representatives must provide a copy of a power of attorney or court document which shows they are the personal representative of a party involved in the accident.
All parties requesting an Oregon Traffic Accident and Insurance Informational Letter must include the following in their request:
- Enough information for DMV to verify the requestor qualifies to receive an informational letter or a statement that requestor does not qualify but would like to order a sanitized informational letter;
- Enough information to locate the report; such as customer name, customer number, the date of the accident, and the county in which the accident occurred;
- A check or money order, payable to "Oregon DMV" for $12.50, $13.50 if certified (refer to DMV Record Fee List); and
- Include a daytime phone number if you want the letter available for pick up at DMV Headquarters in Salem.
The informational letter will be mailed or available within 3 working days. The letter will be mailed to the person's address of record or to the account holder's address on file unless otherwise specified. Requests to pick a record up from DMV Headquarters must be indicated at the time the record is ordered. The Record Services Unit will notify the customer when the record is ready to be picked up. Acceptable proof of identity will be required when picking up records.
Mail Your Request and Fee to:
Oregon DMV
Attn: Record Services
1905 Lana Ave. NE
Salem, OR 97314
How do I order a Copy of a Police Traffic Crash Report?
To qualify for a copy of a Police Traffic Crash Report with personal information, the requester must show they are a person who was injured in an accident, the owner of property damaged by an accident or be a DMV Record Inquiry Account user with a valid account number. Anyone can request a “sanitized” copy of a Police Traffic Crash Report, only qualified individuals or entities are eligible to receive a copy of the Police Traffic Crash Report containing personal information.
All parties requesting a Police Traffic Crash Report must include the following in their request:
- The specific information being requested;
- Enough information for the Accident Reporting and Insurance Verification Unit to locate the crash report (date of accident; county of accident; driver’s name or driver license number, or accident number and whether accident involved a fatality) and determine whether the person is qualified to receive the information;
- A check or money order, payable to "Oregon DMV"; for $8.50, $9.50 if certified (refer to DMV Record Fee List); and
- Include a day time phone number if you indicated that you to want pick records up at DMV Headquarters in Salem.
Mail Your Request and Fee to:
Oregon DMV
Attn: Record Services
1905 Lana Ave.NE
Salem, OR 97314
DMV offices can only accept requests for un-sanitized copies of the Police Traffic Crash Reports from parties with an injury or property damage as a result of an accident. Arrangements may be made, at time of the request only, to pick up reports at DMV Headquarters office in Salem.
For More Information:
Qualified persons may call the Accident Reporting and Insurance Verification Unit at (503) 945-5098 for information regarding accident reports.
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| Record-related & Miscellaneous Forms List |
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Use the links provided below to access DMV forms:
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| Related Information |
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Additional information that may be relevant includes:
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