Alaska License Plate Lookup

Free Alaska License Plate Lookup

Search your Alaska license plate and get a free complete vehicle history report including: salvage status, theft or accident records, recalls and more!

Whether you are buying from a local dealer in Alaska, private seller or eyeing a vehicle from an online auction website, it is a big plus if you know what you are buying. Research you vehicle before you hand over your money or sign any paperwork. Get a copy of the vehicle history report by running a free Alaska license plate lookup.

VinCheck.info offers free VIN search and license plate lookup that will reveal past ownership, title information, liens, odometer reading and salvage records.

If you will be needing further investigation, you can also obtain public records associated with the plate by getting in touch with the Alaska DMV, either in person, online, snail mail or via phone call.

Alaska License Plate, Title and Vehicle Registration

Alaska License Plates

Residents must transfer the vehicle into their names after purchasing. They must get an Alaska title within 30 days of the date of sale. Out-of-state vehicles have a shorter grace period. Owners have only 10 days to register/title after entering the state. Non-residents may drive their cars in the state for 60 days.

Vehicle owners must display two license plates in their motor vehicles such as passenger vehicles, motorhomes, trucks or vans.

A plate transfer is possible between vehicles owned by the same owner. Make sure the units and the plates are registered under the owner’s name. It can be done during the title/registration application.

If you have damaged/missing license plates, you can request a replacement.

The applicant must submit the following requirements to get a duplicate:

  • Vehicle Registration Copy, if available
  • Plate Number
  • VIN Number
  • Make Model
  • Application Form 812
  • Payment ($5)

Types of Alaska License Plates

There are seven (7) types of plates being issued in the state of Alaska. Please be aware of the requirements for each style of plate.

  1. Standard
  2. Causes
  3. Disability
  4. Fraternal Orders
  5. Military
  6. Specialty
  7. University

Personalized plates are also available. It can be applied online or by submitting the form with your registration.

How to Get a Vehicle Title in Alaska?

Car acquired from a dealer

Alaska dealers are required by law to process the buyer’s paperwork. They must apply for the title transfer to the purchaser’s name. During the transfer, a 60-day permit is often issued by the dealer. This allows the buyer to drive while waiting for the transfer’s completion.

Privately sold vehicle

If it is a private seller, the buyer needs to work more for the transfer. The DMV may apply charges that are usually covered by the dealer.

Selling a vehicle

The title must be surrendered to the new owner upon sale. The seller(s) must provide a signature(s) to officiate the transfer. Only the named owner(s) in the title may sell the car.

For shared ownership, the “and” conjunction is used if all owners must sign. If the conjunction “or” is used, that means only one of the owners must sign.

Requirements:

  • Notice of Transfer Pending (Form 820)
  • Assignment of Vehicle Title by Owner (on the title)
  • Odometer Reading
  • Signature(s) to indicate ownership transfer

Minimum Vehicle Insurance Requirement

The owner must prove that the insurance premium covers:

  • $50,000 for single injury or death
  • $100,000 for any accident involving injury or death
  • $25,000 for property damage

Failure to comply may result to driver’s license suspension.

Alaska Vehicle Title & Registration Requirements

New Vehicle 

  • Ownership Document(s). Title, MCO or equivalent
  • Application Form 812
  • Registration
  • Odometer Reading
  • Payment
  • Notarized Power of Attorney, if applicable
  • Lien Release, if applicable

Remote places in Alaska

  • Ownership Document(s). Title, MCO or equivalent
  • Application Form 812
  • Registration
  • Odometer Reading
  • Lienholder Name & address
  • Lien release
  • Payment

Military On-duty

  • Application Form 812
  • Original Title/MCO
  • Less than 90-day-old Leave & Earning Statement (w/ Alaska as home)
  • Military ID copy
  • Odometer Reading (with signatures of buyer and seller)
  • Vehicle Registration
  • Payment
  • Lienholder Name & Address
  • Lien Release
  • Notarized Power of Attorney, if applicable
  • Military shipping documents, if applicable
  • Custom’s documents, if applicable

Registration Exemption

  • Permanent Registration
  • Registered under charitable or church organization
  • Disable
  • Exempted Communities
  • Military
  • Senior Citizen

Registration Renewal

To renew your registration, you must provide these requirements to the DMV:

  • Last Registration Copy
  • Vehicle Application Form 812
  • Leave & Earning Statement w/ Alaska as home (military)
  • Payment

Damaged or lost registration

Get a replacement by presenting these to the DMV:

  • Registration Copy, if available
  • Plate Number
  • VIN Number
  • Make Model
  • Application Form 812
  • Payment ($2)

Damaged or lost title

The owner(s) must obtain a duplicate if their copy is lost or damaged. The document must be registered in their name to legally sell the car.

Requirements:

  • Notarized Affidavit of Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Title (Form 809)
  • Lien Release, if applicable
  • Payment ($15)

Salvage Vehicle

Units with a repair cost that exceeds its retail market may be deemed ‘salvage’. The same applies to cars declared as ‘total loss’ by their insurance companies.

The damage may have come from:

  • Collision
  • Fire
  • Flood
  • Accident
  • Trespass
  • Others

Wrecked vehicles can be fixed and become roadworthy again. If this happens, they can be applied for a ‘reconstructed’ title.

Requirements:

If a unit is broken beyond repair, it can only be titled for ‘non-repairable’ or ‘parts only’ title.

More Resources for Alaska Drivers:

Buying a used car in Alaska?  Don’t make a costly mistake. Run a Free Alaska License Plate Lookup before buying a vehicle in Alaska!

  1. Check for accidents. Every year, millions of automobile accidents are reported.
  2. Check for title brands. Flood, hail-damage, and salvage titles. These are examples of critical title brands.
  3. Check for special purpose designations. This includes taxi-use, rental-use, or police-use.
  4. Check for thefts. Lookup a VIN to check for an active theft or previously recovered theft record.

Run a Free Alaska License Plate Lookup to uncover the full-story of your Alaska-registered vehicle.

Enter an Alaska License Plate: