New York

Here's how to get your personalized New York plate

1. Check availability: Visit the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website to see if your desired combination of letters and numbers is available.
2. Order personalized plates: You can order personalized plates online, by mail, by phone, or at a DMV office.
• To order online, you must have a valid New York State vehicle registration that does not expire within 60 days.
• To order by mail, complete the Application for Custom Plates (PDF) (CP-30).
• To order by phone, call the Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838.
3. Receive new plates and registration: Approximately 10 days after the DMV processes your order, you will receive a new registration document that shows your current plate number and your new plate combination. Please allow at least 6 weeks for the new plates to arrive.
4. Destroy old plates: When you receive your new plates, you must destroy your old plates to protect against fraudulent use.

Important notes for New York residents

• You cannot order personalized plates before you register your vehicle, when you renew your registration, or before you transfer a registration. You must have a registration windshield sticker, a receipt, and regular series plates from the DMV before you order personalized plates.
• Your requested plate combination is subject to review.
• The commissioner may determine at any time that a personalized plate is objectionable, regardless of whether the plate is requested, approved but not yet issued, or issued.
• If, after the issuance of a personalized plate, the commissioner deems the issued plate to be objectionable, the commissioner shall invalidate the plate. The registrant will be required to remove the invalidated plate from the registered vehicle and will be issued a standard registration plate.
• When the commissioner either withdraws approval for a requested personalized plate or invalidates an issued personalized plate, the registrant may select a non-objectionable personalized plate or a non-personalized plate at no additional cost.

Fees