How to Find Your Mobile Home Serial Number

Why it matters Without the serial number, the state title agency cannot locate your title record, and you cannot file any title paperwork. It is the home's unique identifier in every state's database. A doublewide has two serial numbers — one per section.

5 Places to Find the Serial Number

HUD Data Plate (inside the home)

Best — Start Here ▼

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The HUD data plate is a paper certificate in a frame or plastic sleeve, permanently mounted inside the home

Where to look: Kitchen cabinet interior (often the pantry or under the sink cabinet), bedroom closet wall, near the electrical panel, or inside a utility room. It is usually at eye level on an interior wall.

The HUD data plate lists: manufacturer name, model, date of manufacture, serial number, wind zone rating, thermal zone, and roof/snow load ratings. The serial number appears as a multi-part string — see format examples below.

Steel Chassis Frame (under the home)

Very Reliable ▶

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Stamped directly into the steel frame — requires a flashlight and getting under the home

Where to look: The serial number is stamped or welded on the steel chassis. Check near the tongue (front hitch end), near the rear perimeter beam, and along the main frame rail. Bring a wire brush — dirt and rust may obscure it.

This is the most tamper-evident location. If the data plate is missing, this is the best verification source for the state agency.

HUD Certification Label (exterior)

Partial Info ▶

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The red metal plate attached to the exterior — gives the HUD label number, not the full serial number

Where to look: Near the rear of the home, on the exterior wall. Often near the utility connections side. The HUD label is a small red aluminum plate with a 6-digit number (e.g., HUD 123456).

The HUD label number is different from the serial number, but TDHCA in Texas requires it on all applications. Some states (California HCD) track homes by a separate decal number. The HUD label can help the state agency locate your record even if you don't have the full serial number.

Prior Documents (loan, insurance, tax records)

Check Records ▶

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The serial number appears on most official documents associated with the home

Where to look: Original purchase paperwork, loan closing documents, insurance policy declarations page, homeowner's insurance renewal notices, property tax statements, prior title certificate, any bill of sale from the original purchase.

Contact your insurance company first — they almost certainly have the serial number in their records and can provide it quickly.

County Assessor or State Agency Records

Last Resort ▶

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Government databases often have the serial number on file from prior assessments or registrations

Where to look: County property assessor website (search by address), county tax collector records, state title agency (call with your name and the home's address). Most states can locate a title record by address if the serial number is unavailable.

Call the state title agency directly: provide your name, the home's address, and the approximate year and make. In most states, they can pull up the title record and confirm the serial number.

What Does a Serial Number Look Like?

Serial number formats vary by manufacturer and era. Common formats:

Modern (post-1976)

FL1234567A
FL1234567B

State code + numbers + section (A/B for doublewide)

Manufacturer format

CHB12345678

Manufacturer code + production number

Texas TDHCA format

TX12345678901234

16-character alphanumeric string

Pre-1976 format

12345-6-789

Non-standardized — varies by manufacturer

Your Search Tracker

Check off each location as you search. Record the serial number once found.

HUD data plate (inside cabinet or utility room) Steel chassis frame (under home, need flashlight) HUD label on exterior of home Prior loan, insurance, or tax documents Called state title agency / county assessor

Serial Number Found:

If You Absolutely Cannot Find the Serial Number

If all 5 locations have been searched and the serial number still can't be found:

Contact your state title agency and provide: your name, home address, approximate year and make, and a description of the home. They may be able to locate the record by address.
Contact a licensed manufactured home dealer in your area — they often have access to manufacturer databases and may be able to identify the home from photos or a site visit.
Request a law enforcement VIN inspection — in most states, a police officer or sheriff's deputy can inspect the home and document the serial number location for official purposes.
For very old (pre-HUD) homes with no serial number on file anywhere, the state may require a bonded title or court process to establish ownership without a confirmed serial number.