Custom Picture Plates Look Up and Orders
| New York State DMV - Internet Office Transactions |
| Custom Plates Look Up and Ordering |
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Frequently Asked Questions about... Custom Picture Plates Look Up and Orders |
IMPORTANT - If you have changed your address and did not notify the DMV, do not order plates online!
You cannot change your address during this transaction. You can first change your address online, and then process this transaction.
The plates are mailed to the address on DMV files. You cannot change your address in the transaction or through an email request.
Custom Plates Look Up is the fast, easy way to choose from our extensive selection of "blue banner" plate designs that include sports teams, regions of New York State, colleges and fraternities, organizations, and causes. You can also add your own personalized letter/number combination to your custom plate.
On this page:
The information on this page explains how to select, personalize and order a "blue banner" custom picture plate. To look up and order a personalized Empire plate, see the personalized Empire plate FAQs.
Look for your plate now - Return to the Transactions Menu - Top of Page
| Step 1... | Select a category of plate. The categories of picture plates include Professional Sports, Tourism/Regions of New York, Colleges, and Fraternities and Organizations/Causes. See the Custom Plates Gallery for a complete list. |
| Step 2... | Select your plate type. In the category, select the type of plate. For example, in the Professional Sports category, select a Major League Baseball plate type. |
| Step 3... | Select a design. Within the category and plate type, select a specific plate design. For example in Professional Sports / Major League Baseball, select the New York Yankees plate. |
| Step 4... | Personalize Your Plate (optional) Create your own letter/number combination (additional fees apply) and see if it is available, or let the DMV assign a plate number. |
| Then... | See a sample of your plate. If you like it, you can order your plate online! |
Look for your plate now - Return to the Transactions Menu - Top of Page
To order your custom Picture Plate online, you will need:
Before you start:
Make sure you meet the special requirements to order plates online:
You must also satisfy these general requirements for any plate order:
Look for your plate now - Return to the Transactions Menu - Top of Page
Look for your plate now - Return to the Transactions Menu - Top of Page
For which types of vehicles can I order custom plates online?
To order custom plates online, your vehicle must be one of these types:
To order custom plates for a different type of vehicle, call the Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838 for assistance.
NOTE: You cannot order plates for the disabled online. You can order plates with the International Symbol of Access only through the DMV Custom Plates Unit.
Which plate designs are available online?
The DMV has a large selection of Custom Picture Plates in the Custom Plates Gallery, but not all the plate designs can be ordered online. You cannot order a custom plate online if:
).For more about individual plate designs and their availability, see the Custom Plate Gallery.
Can I look up a personalized plate number for a custom plate that is not available online?
Yes. You can use the Plate Look Up to search for a personalized letter/number combination for a custom Picture Plate that is not available online:
What can I use for a personalized plate combination?
For Passenger and Commercial Custom Picture Plates:
You can use a maximum of six (6) letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9) and spaces.
Use of spaces:
Use the spacebar on your keyboard to indicate a space on your plate. Each space counts as one character.
Spaces can control how letters and numbers are grouped and separated on your plate. Spaces can make it easier to read and understand your personalized plate. For example, spaces make "GO 4 IT" easier to understand than "GO4IT".
Restricted combinations:
Personalized plates that give the appearance of an official plate or the configuration of special registration classes will not be issued. For example, a combination that includes "POLICE" or "NYS" is not allowed.
You must explain what the plate combination means or what the combination represents. The DMV reviews requested personalized plate combinations. The DMV is not required to issue a requested plate. You can read the DMV regulations for restrictions on personalized plate combinations.
When you create a combination, remember:
How can I see what a custom plate will look like?
To see an image of what your custom plate will look like, browse the Plate Gallery. The Gallery is an online catalog of Custom Picture Plate designs that displays images of the plates. The Gallery also provides price and order information for each design. Plate designs that have a button that displays the words "Order Now!" can be personalized and ordered online.
When I find a custom plate that I like, how do I order it?
Custom plate orders are easy. You can order online, by phone or by mail.
| Online | Have your vehicle registration and credit card ready. Use the "Order Now!" button, and use your credit card to place your order. See what you need to order your plate online. |
| Phone or Mail | Get the instructions to order your custom plates by phone or by mail. |
Can I order custom plates online if...
...my address has changed since I last renewed my registration?
Your mailing address on DMV files must be your current address. Your new plates can be sent only to the address on the DMV record. You can first change your address online, and then process this transaction. You cannot request that your plates be mailed to an address different from the address on file with DMV.
If you change your address during a vehicle or driver license transaction, the change will not affect the address on your other DMV records. For example, if you changed your address when you renewed a vehicle registration, this did not change the address on your driver license record or on the registration records for other vehicles.
The DMV changes the address on both your driver license and your vehicle records only if you change your address online, or report the change on form MV-232 (Change of Address) or through the DMV Call Center. You must provide all of your vehicle plate numbers to change your address on all of the vehicle records.
NOTE: The mail-in order form (CP-62.1) includes a checkbox to change your address. However, this will update your address only on the registration of the record of the vehicle orders for which you order custom plates.
The DMV web site has the instructions to update your address on your different DMV records and documents.
...I am temporarily not at the address on my current registration?
Yes, if mail will be delivered and accepted at the address on your current registration you can order custom plates online. If not, call the DMV Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838 to order plates.
...my name has changed since I last renewed my registration?
No, do not order custom plates online if you have changed your name without notifying DMV. Your new registration will be issued with your old name.
The DMV web site has the instructions to change your name on your DMV records and documents.
...my registration expires within the next 60 days?
No, renew your registration first. Whether or not you received a renewal notice, if your registration expires in 60 days or less, you must renew your registration before you can order custom plates. The DMV web site has the instructions to renew your vehicle registration.
Is this transaction always available? What are the hours for this transaction?
This transaction is normally available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What is the cost to do this transaction online? Does the DMV charge a higher fee to do this transaction online?
There is no additional cost to do this transaction online. The fee you pay online is the same fee that you would pay to order personalized Empire plates by mail or at a DMV office.
The transaction page will show the amount of your payment before you submit your order. You can also check the fees for the custom plate designs in the Custom Plate Gallery.
How do I pay for my custom plates?
You must use a credit card or an acceptable debit card to pay for this transaction online. The DMV accepts these credit cards:
You can use a debit card if the debit card was issued by MasterCard® or Visa® and the card does not require you to enter a personal identification number (PIN).
Does the DMV protect my credit card information and my personal information on the Internet?
The DMV uses secure socket layering (SSL) to protect your information. The DMV encrypts your credit card information and your personal information so other Internet users cannot read the information. Read the DMV Privacy and Security Statement.
Why do I need a Confirmation Number?
- How will I know if my transaction was processed?
- Will I receive a receipt or proof that my transaction was processed?
You need your Confirmation Number if you contact the DMV about your online transaction. After you complete the transaction, you will see a confirmation page in your browser window. The confirmation page displays your Confirmation Number and other information about your transaction.
When the confirmation page appears in your browser window, write your Confirmation Number on a piece of paper. Do not try to print or to reload the confirmation page until you first record the confirmation number. Some browsers can erase your transaction information from the page if you try to print or to reload the page.
The confirmation page can take several seconds to appear. If the confirmation page does not appear immediately, do not select the button to submit your payment again. If you select the button more than one time, you can receive an error message. Wait for the confirmation page to appear.
Your Confirmation Number also appears in the email confirmation message that you will receive after you submit your payment.
Can I go online to cancel my custom plate order?
No. You cannot cancel an order online after you submit your payment. Contact the Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838 for assistance.
How long will it take to get my new custom plates and registration?
Your new registration documents will be mailed separately from your new custom plates. In approximately 10 days or less after your order is processed, you will receive new documents that show your current plate number and your new plate combination. Allow at least six weeks for the custom plates to arrive. If you do not receive your registration documents within two weeks or your custom plates within six weeks, contact the DMV Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838.