What Arizona license plates cost and what you need to order one

Arizona license plates cost between $17 and $250 per year depending on the type you choose, with standard plates at the lower end and specialty plates at the higher end. You order them through the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), either online at servicearizona.com, by mail, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. You will need your vehicle's VIN, current registration, proof of residency, and a valid ID.

The process takes about two weeks by mail or online. If you need plates when ready, you can visit an ADOT office in person and walk out with temporary plates the same day, though you will pay a rush fee. Standard white plates with the state slogan "The Grand Canyon State" are included in your vehicle registration renewal fee, so you do not order them separately unless you are replacing damaged or lost plates.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Arizona plates cost $17 per year and come automatically with your registration renewal through ADOT.
  • Specialty plates (wildlife, military, university-themed) range from $25 to $250 per year and require a separate order beyond your registration.
  • You can order plates online at servicearizona.com, by mail, or at any Motor Vehicle Division office across the state.
  • Personalized plates cost an additional $25 per year on top of your base plate fee and require approval before you can use them.
  • If a plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can order a replacement at an ADOT office and receive temporary plates the same day for a fee.

Standard plates versus specialty plates in Arizona

Arizona offers two main categories: standard plates and specialty plates. Standard plates are white with blue lettering and the state slogan. They come with your vehicle registration and cost $17 per year. Every vehicle registered in Arizona gets a standard plate unless you choose to upgrade.

Specialty plates are optional and cost more. Arizona offers over 100 specialty designs, including wildlife plates (Arizona Game and Fish), military plates (for active duty, veterans, and Medal of Honor recipients), university plates (Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University), and cause-related plates (breast cancer awareness, organ donation). Each specialty plate has its own annual fee, typically $25 to $50 above your base registration cost, though some cost more.

The money from specialty plate sales goes to the organization or cause listed on the plate. For example, wildlife plate fees support the Arizona Game and Fish Department's conservation programs. You choose your specialty plate type when you renew your registration or order new plates, and you can switch back to a standard plate at any renewal without penalty.

How to personalize your Arizona plate

Personalized plates let you choose your own combination of letters and numbers instead of receiving a random assignment. They cost an additional $25 per year on top of your base plate fee (whether standard or specialty). You can have up to seven characters, including spaces and some symbols.

Arizona has rules about what you cannot use: no profanity, no slurs, no references to illegal activity, and no combinations that spell out offensive words when read together. ADOT reviews your request and either approves it or suggests alternatives. The review takes a few days to a week. You submit your personalized plate request through servicearizona.com, by mail, or at a Motor Vehicle Division office.

Once approved, you pay the $25 annual personalization fee plus your standard or specialty plate fee, and your plates arrive by mail in about two weeks. If you want them faster, you can pick them up at an ADOT office after approval.

Replacing lost, stolen, or damaged plates

If your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can order a replacement at any Arizona Motor Vehicle Division office. Bring your vehicle registration and ID. A replacement standard plate costs $17 (the same as your annual registration fee). If you had a specialty or personalized plate, you pay the same fee you paid originally.

At the office, you can request temporary plates to use when ready while your permanent plates are being made. Temporary plates are valid for 30 days and cost a small fee (usually $5 to $10). Your permanent replacement plates arrive by mail in about two weeks. If you need them faster, some offices can produce plates on-site, though this may involve an additional rush fee.

If your plate was stolen, you can also report it to the Arizona Department of Public Safety or your local police department. This creates a record in case the plate is used fraudulently. Bring the police report number to ADOT when you order your replacement.

Transferring plates between vehicles

Arizona allows you to transfer a standard plate from one vehicle to another if you own both vehicles and they are registered in your name. You cannot transfer a plate to a vehicle registered to someone else. To transfer, visit a Motor Vehicle Division office with both vehicle titles, your current registration for the vehicle losing the plate, and your ID.

Specialty and personalized plates can also be transferred between your own vehicles. The process is the same: bring both titles and your registrations. There is no additional fee to transfer a plate, though you still pay your annual registration fee for the new vehicle.

If you sell a vehicle, the new owner cannot use your plate. You must remove it and either keep it for another vehicle you own or surrender it to ADOT. The new owner will need to order their own plates through their registration.

Where to order Arizona plates and what documents you need

You can order plates three ways: online at servicearizona.com (the fastest option for mail delivery), by mail through ADOT, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. For online orders, you will need your vehicle's VIN, current registration number, a valid payment method, and a valid Arizona ID or driver's license.

For mail orders, read the process form from the ADOT website, fill it out, and mail it with a check or money order to the address listed on the form. Include a copy of your current registration and proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days).

For in-person orders at a Motor Vehicle Division office, bring your vehicle registration, proof of residency, a valid ID, and payment (cash, check, or card). Offices are located in most Arizona counties. If you need plates the same day, ask about same-day production when you arrive; not all offices offer this, and there may be an extra fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my old plate number if I renew my registration?

Yes. When you renew your registration, your plate number stays the same unless you request a new one or your plate is damaged. You do not need to do anything special to keep your current number—it renews automatically.

What happens if my plate is damaged or faded?

You can order a replacement at any Motor Vehicle Division office. Bring your registration and ID. The replacement costs the same as your annual plate fee. If the plate is so damaged it is unreadable, ADOT may replace it for free, but you should ask when you visit.

Do I have to get a new plate when I buy a used car in Arizona?

No. If the previous owner transferred their plate to you, you keep that plate number. If you are buying from out of state or the seller kept their plate, you order new plates through your registration. Either way, you register the vehicle in your name first, then plates follow.

How long does it take to get personalized plates?

ADOT reviews your personalized plate request in three to seven business days. Once approved, your plates arrive by mail in about two weeks. If you want them faster, some Motor Vehicle Division offices can produce them on-site after approval, usually within a few hours.

Can I order plates online if I do not have a current Arizona registration?

No. You need a current registration to order plates online. If your registration has expired, renew it first through servicearizona.com or at a Motor Vehicle Division office, then order your plates. You can do both in one visit to an office.