By ReviewMyMover Editorial · November 4, 2026
Start with the identity on your estimate
Ask for the legal business name, any trading name, USDOT number, and MC number where applicable. Save the written estimate and the website address you used. A familiar logo or a similar company name is not enough to establish that two listings describe the same business.
Use the official mover search
Open FMCSA’s registered mover search and search by the company’s USDOT number. Check the business type and the registration information shown. Compare the legal name, address, and phone number with your estimate. If something differs, ask the company to explain it before paying.
Read the role and authority separately
A carrier transports a shipment; a broker arranges transportation with another company. A USDOT registration alone does not establish household-goods operating authority. Check whether the record supports the service being offered, and use the linked licensing and insurance information for a current check. A vehicle-transport record is not interchangeable with household-goods authority.
An identity-check example
Suppose your estimate names Example Relocation LLC, but your search returns Example Transport Inc in another state. Do not assume it is a branch of the same company. Ask which legal entity will sign the contract, which number identifies it, and which carrier will collect your belongings. This is an illustrative example, not a report about a listed company.
Keep a simple record of your check
Record the date, legal name, USDOT number, carrier or broker role, authority information, and any unanswered questions. Save a copy of the record you reviewed. Recheck before your pickup because a directory’s stored status may be older than your booking.
Combine registration checks with customer experiences
Use our company directory to read services and review snapshots, then check current official records. Registration is one part of your research, rather than a guarantee of service quality. Read our broker and carrier guide and prepare your moving checklist.
Official guidance and scope
Source: FMCSA: registered versus authorized movers. This original ReviewMyMover guide covers interstate household moves. Check your state’s requirements for an intrastate move. FMCSA does not endorse this article or the companies in our directory.
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