What Kansas plates look like and what they cost
Kansas license plates are the standard 12-inch by 6-inch metal rectangles with the state name across the top and a sunflower symbol on the left side. The plate displays your registration number, and the color scheme is white background with black lettering. A new plate costs $20 when you first register a vehicle in Kansas, and renewal plates cost $15 every two years.
Kansas offers several specialty plate designs beyond the standard sunflower plate, including plates for universities, military service, conservation causes, and professional organizations. Each specialty plate carries an additional fee on top of the base registration cost—typically between $10 and $50 depending on the design. The specialty plate fee goes to the organization or cause listed on the plate.
Key Takeaways
- A new Kansas plate costs $20 and a renewal plate costs $15, paid when you register or renew your vehicle with the Kansas Department of Revenue.
- You can order a plate online through the Kansas Department of Revenue website, by mail, or in person at a county clerk's office.
- Renewal notices arrive by mail about 30 days before your registration expires, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person.
- Specialty plates are available for universities, military service, and other causes, each with an additional fee beyond the standard plate cost.
- If your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement plate for $15 at your county clerk's office or online.
Getting a new plate when you register a vehicle
When you buy a vehicle and register it in Kansas for the first time, you receive a new license plate as part of the registration process. You will need your vehicle's title or proof of ownership, your driver's license or ID, and proof of Kansas residency (such as a utility bill or lease). If you are financing the vehicle, bring the lien holder information as well.
You can complete this registration at any Kansas county clerk's office in person, or online through the Kansas Department of Revenue website if you have the required documents scanned or photographed. The online process typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you register in person, bring the originals of your documents and expect to spend 20 to 30 minutes at the clerk's office. Your plate will be mailed to you within 5 to 10 business days after approval.
Renewing your plate every two years
Kansas registration and license plates expire every two years on your birthday month. About 30 days before expiration, the Kansas Department of Revenue mails you a renewal notice to the address on file. This notice includes your renewal fee amount, which depends on your vehicle's weight and type.
You have three ways to renew: online through the Kansas Department of Revenue website (fastest, usually processed the same day), by mail using the renewal notice, or in person at your county clerk's office. Online renewal requires your driver's license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and a payment method. If you renew by mail, include your payment with the renewal notice and mail it to the address shown. Your new plate arrives by mail within 5 to 10 business days. If you renew in person, you receive your plate when ready in most cases.
Specialty plates and personalized options
Kansas offers specialty plates supporting universities (Kansas State University, University of Kansas, Wichita State University, and others), military branches and veterans, wildlife conservation, and professional organizations. Each specialty plate design is different and carries an additional fee. For example, a Kansas State University plate costs the standard registration fee plus an extra $25, with that $25 going to the university.
You can also order a personalized plate with a custom combination of letters and numbers (up to seven characters) instead of the standard registration number. Personalized plates cost an additional $25 on top of your registration fee. Both specialty and personalized plates are ordered through the Kansas Department of Revenue website or at your county clerk's office. The process is the same as a standard plate, but you specify your preference when you register or renew.
Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged plate
If your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond readability, you can request a replacement at your county clerk's office or online through the Kansas Department of Revenue. A replacement plate costs $15. You will need to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) and current registration information. If your plate was stolen, you may want to file a police report first, though it is not required to get a replacement.
Online replacement requests are processed within 5 to 10 business days, and your new plate is mailed to you. If you go in person to your county clerk's office, you can sometimes receive a temporary plate when ready while your permanent plate is being made. Keep your registration documents with you while waiting for the replacement, in case you are stopped by law enforcement.
What to do if your registration or plate expires
Driving with an expired plate is illegal in Kansas and can result in a traffic citation. If you miss your renewal important date, you can still renew at any time by contacting your county clerk's office or the Kansas Department of Revenue. There is no grace period, so renew as soon as you realize your registration has lapsed.
If you are stopped by law enforcement with an expired plate, you may receive a citation. However, if you renew when ready and can show proof of renewal to the court, the citation may be dismissed or reduced. Contact the court listed on your citation to ask about this option. Going forward, set a phone reminder for the month before your birthday to renew before the important date.
Transferring a plate to a new vehicle
You cannot transfer a Kansas license plate from one vehicle to another. When you sell or trade in your vehicle, that plate stays with the registration and is retired. When you register your new vehicle, you receive a new plate with a new registration number. This is true for standard plates, specialty plates, and personalized plates.
If you have a personalized plate you want to keep, you can request the same personalized combination for your new vehicle's registration, but you will pay the personalization fee again. Contact the Kansas Department of Revenue or your county clerk's office to reserve your personalized combination before you register your new vehicle, to make sure it is still available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a temporary plate while I wait for my permanent plate to arrive?
Kansas does not issue temporary paper plates for new registrations. Your vehicle is legal to drive once your registration is approved, even before your physical plate arrives. You can print a temporary registration document from the Kansas Department of Revenue website if you need proof of registration while waiting. Keep this document in your vehicle.
What if I move to a different county in Kansas?
You do not need a new plate when you move within Kansas. Your plate remains valid as long as your registration is current. Update your address with the Kansas Department of Revenue online or at your new county clerk's office so renewal notices reach you. Your next renewal will be processed under your new address.
Do I need to remove my old plate when I sell my vehicle?
Yes, you should remove your plate when you sell your vehicle. The new owner will register the vehicle and receive a new plate. If you do not remove it, the plate will be associated with the old registration and may cause confusion. Turn in your old plate at your county clerk's office or keep it as a souvenir—Kansas does not require you to return it.
How much does a replacement plate cost if mine is damaged?
A replacement plate costs $15 in Kansas, whether it is lost, stolen, or damaged. You can request a replacement at your county clerk's office or online through the Kansas Department of Revenue. Bring your VIN and current registration information.
Can I order a plate online and have it shipped to me?
Yes, you can register a new vehicle or renew your registration online through the Kansas Department of Revenue website. Your plate will be mailed to the address on file within 5 to 10 business days. You do not have to visit a county clerk's office unless you prefer to renew in person.