What Is a Data Plate on a Manufactured Home — and Why It Matters

October 21, 2025

If you’ve ever taken a close look inside your manufactured home, you might have noticed a small white sheet of paper with official-looking information printed on it. That’s your data plate — and it’s an important part of your home’s identity.

Where to Find the Data Plate

The data plate is usually located in one of these areas:

  • Inside a kitchen cabinet door
  • On the inside of a bedroom closet
  • Near the electrical panel

It’s a paper label (not metal) that lists key details about your home’s construction and compliance.

What the Data Plate Tells You

Every manufactured home built after June 15, 1976 must meet strict federal construction and safety standards set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The data plate confirms that your home was built to these standards and includes:

  • The manufacturer’s name and address
  • The model name and serial number
  • Wind, roof, and thermal zone ratings for your region
  • The date of manufacture and HUD certification number(s)
  • A map of the United States showing the zones where the home is designed to be installed

If you ever need to replace lost paperwork or verify your home’s specifications, this data plate provides the information you’ll need.

Why It’s Important

Your data plate isn’t just a piece of paper — it’s proof of quality. It shows that your home was built to HUD standards for safety, durability, and energy efficiency. Keeping it in good condition (or taking a photo for your records) helps ensure you always have quick access to your home’s essential information. Never buy a pre-owned manufactured home without this information.

How to Request a Replacement Data Plate

If your home’s data plate is missing or damaged, you can order a replacement certificate through the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) — the organization authorized by HUD to issue them.

Here’s how:

  1. Visit IBTS.org
  2. Select “HUD Manufactured Home Certifications”
  3. Provide your home’s serial number, manufacturer, and address
  4. Pay a small processing fee (typically around $50)

Call Clint or Curtis at 319.377.4863 to discuss a purchase of one of our new or refurbished homes. 

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