Wolfen,
Here, you must get DMV search. Then I believe State Police search.
Then Fed search. Then the feds will issue you a totally new vin that sticks to your door jamb. I believe that is the process in this state but every state has some differences. Alabama is the most relaxed about this as I am to understand.
It is very easy in Arkansas also, you go down to the DMV, they do the searches, you give them the bill of sale and they give you a vin and title. It is very easy, we have even had relatives from other states make a bill of sale saying they sold it to us so we could get a title for it in arkansas because it is so easy. Granted not having the original dash vin may hurt the value of the car a little, but it would still definatly be worth saving IMO