What Michigan custom plates cost and how long they take
Michigan custom plates cost $35 for the initial plate, plus the standard annual registration fee for your vehicle. Renewal plates cost $25 per year after that. The state processes custom plate orders through the Secretary of State's office, and you can order online, by mail, or in person at a branch office. Most online orders arrive within two to three weeks; mail orders take longer depending on processing time.
You do not need to own your vehicle outright or have it fully paid off to order a custom plate. You do need a valid Michigan driver's license or state ID, and your vehicle must be registered in Michigan. If you are financing the vehicle, the lienholder's name will appear on the registration, but that does not prevent you from getting a custom plate.
Key Takeaways
- Custom plates in Michigan cost $35 upfront plus your regular registration fee, then $25 per year to renew.
- You can order online through the Secretary of State website, by mail with form SOS 1151, or in person at a branch office.
- Michigan allows up to six characters on a standard custom plate, with letters, numbers, and some symbols permitted.
- The state checks your requested text against a list of banned words and phrases before approving your order.
- Custom plates renew on the same schedule as your vehicle registration, so you will not need to track a separate renewal date.
Choosing your custom plate text
Michigan custom plates can display up to six characters. You can use letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and a limited set of symbols including hyphens, apostrophes, and spaces. The state does not allow consecutive spaces or symbols at the beginning or end of the plate.
Before you submit your order, check whether your chosen text is already taken. The Secretary of State's website has a search tool that shows you in real time whether a plate is available. If someone else has already ordered the exact combination you want, you will need to choose something different. The search tool also tells you if the text violates Michigan's content rules — the state bans plates with profanity, slurs, or text that could be mistaken for official government plates.
Keep in mind that what looks like one thing to you might read differently to someone else, especially when letters and numbers are combined. The state's review process catches obvious violations, but once your plate is made and delivered, changing it requires ordering a new one and paying the full $35 fee again.
Ordering online, by mail, or in person
The fastest route is the Secretary of State's online ordering system at michigan.gov/sos. You will need your vehicle's VIN, current registration number, and a valid payment method. The system accepts credit and debit cards. Once you submit your order and payment, you will receive a confirmation number by email. Your plate ships to the address on file with your vehicle registration.
If you prefer to order by mail, read form SOS 1151 from the Secretary of State website, fill it out completely, and mail it with a check or money order to the address listed on the form. Include a copy of your vehicle registration. Mail orders take longer to process than online orders because they must be manually reviewed and entered into the system.
You can also order in person at any Secretary of State branch office. Bring your driver's license, vehicle registration, and payment. Staff can check availability and process your order on the spot. This route works well if you want to ask questions about content rules or if you are unsure whether your chosen text will be approved.
What happens if your requested plate is denied
If the Secretary of State denies your custom plate request, you will receive a notice explaining why. Common reasons include profanity, offensive language, text that mimics official government plates, or a combination of letters and numbers that could be confusing. You can resubmit with different text, and there is no additional fee for resubmission — you only pay the $35 fee once your new request is approved.
If you disagree with a denial, you can contact the Secretary of State's office to ask for clarification. However, the state has final authority over what text is permitted on public plates. Arguing that the text is inoffensive to you personally does not override the state's content policy.
Renewing and replacing your custom plate
Your custom plate renews automatically when your vehicle registration renews. You will receive a renewal notice in the mail about a month before your registration expires. Pay the $25 renewal fee, and a new plate will be mailed to you. You do not have to reorder or resubmit your custom text — the state keeps your plate design on file.
If your custom plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can order a replacement through the Secretary of State. Replacement plates cost $10 and take about two weeks to arrive. If you want to change your custom text, that counts as a new order and costs the full $35 fee, not the replacement rate.
When you sell or transfer your vehicle, your custom plate stays with you, not the car. You can transfer it to another vehicle you own in Michigan by notifying the Secretary of State and paying a small transfer fee. If you do not transfer it, the plate is retired and cannot be used again.
Combining custom plates with other Michigan programs
Michigan offers specialty plates for veterans, disabled drivers, and supporters of certain causes. You cannot combine a custom plate with a specialty plate — you have to choose one or the other. A veteran, for example, can order a standard custom plate or a veteran specialty plate, but not both on the same vehicle.
If you have a disabled parking permit, you can still order a custom plate. The permit itself is a separate document that hangs from your mirror or sits on your dashboard. Your custom plate does not replace or affect your disabled parking status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order a custom plate if my vehicle is registered to a business?
Yes. The vehicle must be registered in Michigan, but it can be registered to a business, a person, or both. You will need the registration document and a valid ID for whoever is placing the order. If the vehicle is registered to a business and you are not the registered owner, you may need written permission from the business owner.
What if I want to keep my old plate number and just add custom text?
Michigan does not allow you to keep your existing registration number and add custom text to it. A custom plate is a completely new plate with your chosen text. Your old plate number is retired once you switch to a custom plate.
How do I know if my custom plate text will be approved before I pay?
The Secretary of State's website search tool shows you whether text is available and flags obvious violations. However, the tool does not catch every possible reason for denial. If you are unsure, call the Secretary of State's office or visit a branch office in person before ordering.
Can I order a custom plate for a vehicle I do not own yet?
No. Your vehicle must already be registered in Michigan. You can order a custom plate as soon as you have your registration documents, but you cannot reserve a plate for a vehicle you plan to buy in the future.
What if someone else orders the custom plate I want while I am thinking about it?
Custom plates are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If you see a plate you want, order it right away. The search tool will tell you when ready if it has been taken since you last checked.