Michigan Vanity Plate Availability, Fees & How to Apply
Michigan lets you check a personalized plate before you pay for it: the Secretary of State's availability tool says in seconds whether your combination is already on the road. Passenger plates take up to 7 characters (6 on motorcycles), cost $30 up front and $15 a year to renew, and the whole application can be done online. Everything below is the detail behind those answers.
Already have a plate in mind? Check it against the official Michigan availability tool.
Different state? See every state's availability checker.
Get Michigan plate ideas
Describe yourself — name, job, hobbies — and we'll suggest personalized plate ideas you can preview on a Michigan plate.
Stuck for an idea? Browse our plate lists for nurses, teachers, jeep owners, dog lovers and fishing, or all plate idea lists. Every idea fits Michigan's character limit or can be trimmed to it.
How to Get a Personalized Michigan Plate
- Check Plate Availability: Before applying, verify if your desired plate combination is available using the Michigan Secretary of State's Personalized Plate Availability tool.
- Apply Online or In Person:
- Online: Use the Personalized Plate Application to select your plate design, enter your desired combination, and complete the application process.
- In Person: Visit a local Secretary of State office to apply for a personalized plate.
- Await Approval: The Secretary of State will review your application to ensure the requested plate combination adheres to state guidelines. If your request is denied, you will be notified and may choose to select an alternate plate message or receive a standard license plate.
- Receive Your Plate: Once approved and processed, your personalized plate will be mailed to you within approximately 4-6 weeks.
Important Notes for Michigan Residents
- Character Limits:
- Standard Plates: Up to 7 characters for passenger vehicles.
- Motorcycle Plates: Up to 6 characters.
- Prohibited Content: Plates must not contain offensive or inappropriate language. The Secretary of State reserves the right to deny any combination deemed offensive to good taste and decency.
- No Punctuation: Punctuation marks or special characters are not permitted. Spaces are allowed and count as characters.
- Plate Ownership: Personalized plates are generally tied to the vehicle owner, not the vehicle itself.
- Renewal: Personalized plates must be renewed annually, along with your vehicle registration.
Fees:
| State | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $30 | $15 |
These fees are in addition to standard vehicle registration fees.
Michigan Secretary of State - Personalized Plates