[MaSnaka]

Don,
My CRI tagged 1997, had a stick on metal badge about the size of a business card placed on the deck of the firewall near the steering column. I am the 3rd owner of this car and I bought it in the state of Nevada. It was fully registered and titled there, by that I mean I had a pink slip and the former owners registration card. In my attempts to get the title transferred here in Calif that badge fell off. Now my car showed no vin other than what was on my paperwork. I had CRII send me a replacement vin tag which was basically a very unofficial looking sticker that the CHP officer kinda laughed at. The CHP vin officer did issue a new number months later after I obtained an SB100 number (SB100 is unique to Calif). Like DV said your state should put their own vin tag on your car. BTW the CHP vin office riveted an official vin plate onto the inside of the driver's door jam. I'm not sure if any of this helps in your situation but I thought it was worth sharing. Hopefully you have no problems.

John