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OAN – Owner Applied Number
from March 2023
By: Merced County District Attorney's Office
The Merced County District Attorney’s Office is providing this information on OAN’s to help you understand what an OAN is and why an OAN is important. I will also discuss some of the benefits of applying an OAN on your personal property.
What is an OAN?
An OAN is a ten-digit number that is uniquely assigned to an individual, business or corporation. The OAN is stored in a statewide database. When property with your OAN is stolen, the stolen property can be entered into the stolen property system. When property with your OAN is recovered, the marked property can be traced and returned to you from anywhere in the United States.
The OAN does not replace the VIN and/or serial number. This is a secondary identification number applied to your personal property.
How do I obtain an OAN?
The California Rural Crime Prevention Task Force (CRCPTF), through the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office, has an existing OAN program in place. To obtain your own OAN, visit the California Rural Crime Prevention Task Force web page at: www.crcptf.org. On the left side of the page, click on “OAN Info.” This will take you to the online OAN application. Complete the online application and a member of the CRCPTF will get back to you with your OAN.
Once you have you OAN, store the information in a safe location for further reference if you need it. Remember, this is a unique number assigned to you, your business and/or your corporation.
The OAN numbers issued are also uniquely coded by county. All Merced County OAN’s start with CA024. The county code is determined by the applicant’s address and noted on the OAN application.
What can an OAN be applied on?
An OAN can be applied to metal, plastic and just about any surface type.
How do I apply my OAN to property?
When applying your OAN to metal, it can either be stamped or etched in. In order to stamp the OAN into a metal surface, you will need a stamp gun. Stamping works well for heavy gauge metal. You can use an engraver on lighter gauge metal and plastic.
Another option for applying your OAN number to metal is to weld the number on the metal. This option does require someone that knows how to weld. When welding the OAN number, the weld must be legible.
When applying your OAN to plastic, it can be etched or branded in. In order to brand your OAN into plastic, you can use a tire brander. The tire brander holds the numbers and letters of your OAN, heats the letters, and then transfers them on to the plastic. This in turn leaves a brand of your OAN on the plastic.
Why use an OAN in agriculture?
Most farmers and ranchers have equipment that either does not have an identifying number or the identifying numbers are worn off from use. When an OAN is applied, it is either stamped, etched or burned into the property. The OAN is applied in locations that are difficult to remove and preserved in day-to-day use.
There are countless pieces of equipment, used daily, that may not have even come with an identifying number from the manufacturer. When you apply your OAN to your equipment, you now have a way to identify the equipment as yours if it is stolen.
There should be an OAN on all your personal and/or business equipment. As of February 15, 2023, there are 243 OAN’s assigned in Merced County.
For assistance in obtaining your OAN, applying your OAN to personal property, or for any questions, please contact:
Jacob Struble
Thomas Griffin
Merced County District Attorney’s Office Merced County Sheriff’s Department
AG Crime Investigator AG Crime Detective
209-564-2165 cell 209-906-0090 cell jay.struble@countyofmerced.com thomas.griffin@countyofmerced.com
