Use the official record—and keep its limits visible.

Start with primary FMCSA sources

The SAFER Company Snapshot provides public company identification and safety information. The Licensing and Insurance public search provides authority and insurance records. The public record can change, and the official FMCSA systems remain authoritative.

Useful invoice-review checks

• Does the legal or DBA name align with the submitted MC or USDOT number?
• Does the carrier identifier on the invoice align with the broker’s load record?
• Was the relevant authority status consistent with the load date?
• Did key identity details change compared with prior submissions?

What the check does not establish

An active authority record does not validate the invoice amount, bank account, accessorial evidence, or the identity of the person who emailed the document. A status mismatch also needs context: authority types, effective dates, administrative updates, and data timing matter.

When to escalate

Escalate if the carrier name and identifiers disagree, if remit details changed unexpectedly, if the public status conflicts with the load record, or if a look-alike business name creates ambiguity. Verify through an independently obtained contact channel rather than replying only to the submitting email.