NJ MVC Seal


Open Public Records Act (OPRA)

OPRA is a new state law that was enacted to give the public greater access to government records maintained by public agencies in New Jersey. The public has the right under OPRA to examine or obtain copies of those public records that are not subject to exceptions from disclosure. Under OPRA, all levels of New Jersey government are required to produce records, when properly requested. Certain records are considered exceptions. OPRA expands the intent of the Right to Know law by re-defining what records are available to the public, by setting standards for accessing those records, and penalties for failing to disclose them.


Requests for information relating to the Motor Vehicle Commission

Driver & Vehicle Records*
These documents must be requested using the forms listed below:
  • Request for Title Search – Fee $10.50 - Form ISM/DO-22A
  • Request for Lien Search – Fee $5.00 – Form ISM/DO-22
  • Driver History Abstract Request & Related Documents (See form for details and other fees*) Fee Uncertified and Certified $10 – Form BGS/DO-21
  • Vehicle Registration Application Request- Fee Uncertified $8 – Fee Certified $10 – Form DO-11A
  • Driver License Application Request – Fee Uncertified $8 – Fee Certified $10 – Form DO-11
  • Notarized Authority to Release Personal Motor Vehicle Information for second party requests – Form BGS/DO-21A

All of the information above must be mailed in accordance with instructions on the form.

Forms can be obtained by calling:
1-888-486-3339 (In State) or 1-609-292-6500 (From Out of State).

* Access to and use controlled by the Driver Privacy Protection Act, N.J.S.A. 39:2-3.3 et seq., and N.J.A.C. 13:18-11.3. Fees set by N.J.A.C. 13:18-11.4.


Open Public Records (not related to an individual driver or their vehicle)
Persons interested in records of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Commission other than those pertaining to driver licenses, vehicle registrations, vehicle titles and driver histories should contact the Official Custodian of Records of the Motor Vehicle Commission.

The contact information for the Official Custodian of Records of the Motor Vehicle Commission is as follows:

Official Custodian of Records
Motor Vehicle Commission
225 East State Street
P.O. Box 162
Trenton, NJ 08666-0162
ATTN: Legal & Regulatory Affairs



Requests for government records
(a) All requests for access to government records pursuant to N.J.S.A.47: 1-A et seq., as amended and supplemented, held or controlled by the Department of a Constitutional agency, shall be made in writing. Access means, inspection, examination, or copying.

(b) The requestor shall provide the following information on the provided form(s):
  • The name, address, and telephone number of the requestor
  • A description of the government record sought, method of access and if copies are sought, the medium requested and mode of delivery
  • The date submitted to the division or agency custodian
(c) Copies of the MVC OPRA Rrequest Form is available here in MS Word [78k doc] or Adobe Acrobat [806k pdf]. You can also obtain the form by calling 1-888-486-3339 (In State) or 1-609-292-6500 (From Out of State).


Procedures for requests
(a) Request forms shall be hand-delivered during normal business hours of the public agency, mailed, or transmitted electronically by facsimile, e-mail or web site access by the requestor to the appropriate division or agency custodian of records.

(b) Upon receipt of the request form, the custodian shall review the request from for clarity and completeness. If the request form is unclear as to the government record requested, the custodian shall advise the requestor of the deficiency, provided the requestor has included contact information on the form. The custodian may require the requestor to provide additional information to identify the record or to ascertain the requestor’s identity and status to determine whether access is authorized. The custodian shall deny a request for access if the request is unclear or incomplete after attempting to reach a reasonable resolution with the requestor. A request shall not be deemed complete until the pre-payment required under this section is received by the custodian.

(c) All inquiries and processes involving the request shall include a tracking number.

(d) Upon receipt of a request form, the custodian may estimate the cost of providing the records and may require the pre-payment of the estimated sum, and of any special mailing or delivery costs. Payment shall be made by cash, check, or money order payable to the State of New Jersey. Except as provided otherwise by law or regulation, costs shall be those set forth in N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., as amended and supplemented.

(e) The custodian shall sign and date the request form, enter the estimated fee and, if applicable, tracking number, and provide the requestor with a copy.

(f) A fee shall not be required for inspecting or examining government records.

(g) Upon request, a custodian may allow requestors to use the requestor’s own photocopying equipment to copy public records, provided that it will not disrupt the business operations of the custodian and will not endanger the public records.

*Payment methods
  • In-person: cash, personal check, or money order
  • By mail: personal check or money order


For more information, visit the
Government Records Council web site