Washington
In Washington State, residents can personalize their license plates—referred to as "Personalized Plates"—for various vehicle types, including passenger vehicles and motorcycles. Personalized plates allow for a combination of letters and numbers, subject to specific character limits and guidelines.
How to Get a Personalized Washington Plate
- Check Plate Availability: Before applying, verify if your desired plate combination is available using the Washington State Department of Licensing's Personalized Plates page.
- Submit an Application:
- By Mail: Complete the Specialty License Plate Application and submit it, along with the appropriate fees, to the address listed on the form.
- Await Approval: The Department of Licensing will review your application to ensure the requested plate combination adheres to state guidelines. Once approved, the personalized plate will be manufactured.
- Receive Your Plate: You will be notified when your personalized plate is ready for pickup at your local vehicle licensing office. Processing times may vary.
Important Notes for Washington 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 Department of Licensing reserves the right to deny any combination deemed offensive to good taste and decency.
- No Unusual Characters: Unusual characters such as #, %, &, @, +, ! are not permitted. Hyphens and spaces are allowed and count as characters.
- Plate Ownership: Personalized plates are generally tied to the vehicle owner, not the vehicle itself. If you sell your vehicle, you may transfer the personalized plates to another vehicle registered in your name.
- Renewal: Personalized plates must be renewed annually, along with your vehicle registration.
Fees:
| State | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $169.25 | $42.00 |
These fees are in addition to standard vehicle registration fees.
Washington DOL - Personalized Plates