What you need to know about Missouri plates
Missouri issues standard passenger plates, specialty plates, and personalized plates through the Missouri Department of Revenue. You get a plate when you register a vehicle, and you renew it every two years on your birthday month. The plate itself stays with you across ownership transfers unless you choose a different design, but the registration sticker on the plate expires and must be replaced.
Missouri plates display your county number in the lower left corner — a two-digit code that identifies where you registered the vehicle. This is permanent to your plate and does not change if you move to a different county, though you can request a new plate with your new county number when you renew.
Key Takeaways
- Standard Missouri plates cost between $13 and $17 depending on vehicle type, with renewal every two years during your birthday month.
- You register and renew plates through your county assessor's office, not through a state office, and you can do it in person, by mail, or online through Missouri's MyDMV portal.
- Specialty plates (military, conservation, university-themed) cost more than standard plates but support specific causes and display different designs.
- Personalized plates require a separate request and cost an additional $25 on top of registration fees, with a review process that typically takes one to two weeks.
Standard plate registration and renewal in Missouri
When you buy a vehicle in Missouri, you register it at your county assessor's office within 30 days of purchase. Bring your proof of ownership (title or bill of sale), proof of insurance, and a photo ID. The assessor issues your plate and registration certificate on the spot or within a few days, depending on the office's workload.
Renewal happens every two years during the month of your birthday. Missouri sends a renewal notice to your address about 30 days before expiration. You can renew online through MyDMV at dor.mo.gov, by mail using the renewal form in the notice, or in person at your county assessor's office. Online renewal takes minutes; mail renewal takes one to two weeks for processing.
The renewal fee for a standard passenger vehicle plate is $13 for two years. Commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers have different fees — check the renewal notice or the assessor's office for your vehicle type. When you renew, you receive a new registration sticker to place on your existing plate; you do not receive a new plate unless you request one.
Specialty plates and their costs
Missouri offers over 100 specialty plate designs supporting military service, conservation efforts, universities, and other causes. These plates cost more than standard plates — typically $25 to $50 per year depending on the design — because a portion of the fee goes to the organization the plate supports.
Military specialty plates include designs for veterans, active duty service members, and Purple Heart recipients. Conservation plates support state parks and wildlife programs. University plates display school colors and logos for Missouri colleges. You request a specialty plate when you first register or during renewal through your county assessor's office or online through MyDMV.
Once you choose a specialty plate design, you keep that design at renewal unless you switch to a different specialty plate or return to a standard plate. Switching designs requires a new physical plate, which the assessor orders for you.
Personalized plates: request process and timeline
Personalized plates let you display a custom message of up to seven characters (letters, numbers, or both). The plate costs an additional $25 on top of your registration fee. You request a personalized plate through MyDMV online or by submitting Form DOR 108 at your county assessor's office.
Missouri reviews personalized plate requests to block messages that are offensive, obscene, or could be confused with official government plates. The review process typically takes one to two weeks. If your requested message is rejected, the assessor contacts you with the reason and you can submit a different message at no additional cost.
Once approved, your personalized plate is ordered and arrives within two to four weeks. You can request a personalized plate on a standard design or on a specialty plate; the specialty plate fee applies in addition to the personalization fee.
Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged plate
If your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, visit your county assessor's office with your registration certificate and photo ID. The assessor issues a replacement plate on the spot or within a few days. The replacement fee is typically $5 to $10, though some counties waive the fee for theft if you file a police report.
If your plate was stolen, bring a copy of the police report to the assessor's office. Some counties use this to waive the replacement fee; others use it to flag the old plate number in their system so it cannot be misused. Ask the assessor what documentation they need before you file the report.
Moving to Missouri or transferring ownership
If you move to Missouri from another state, you have 30 days to register your vehicle and obtain a Missouri plate. Bring your out-of-state title, proof of insurance, and photo ID to your new county assessor's office. You pay the standard registration fee and receive a Missouri plate when ready or within a few days.
If you sell your vehicle, the new owner must register it in their name within 30 days. The plate stays with you unless the new owner requests to keep it — in most cases, the new owner registers the vehicle and receives a new plate. If you want to keep your current plate for a future vehicle, ask your assessor about plate retention; Missouri allows you to reserve a plate for up to one year.
If you buy a vehicle from someone else in Missouri, you can request to keep their plate if they agree. Both of you visit the assessor's office together with the title and registration documents. The assessor transfers the plate to your name and vehicle.
Online renewal through MyDMV
Missouri's MyDMV portal at dor.mo.gov lets you renew your registration and order a new registration sticker without visiting the assessor's office. You log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, review your vehicle information, pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card, and print your new sticker at home.
Online renewal works only if your vehicle information has not changed, your insurance is current, and you have no outstanding violations or fines. If any of these conditions do not explore, you must renew in person or by mail. The online process takes about 10 minutes, and your new sticker arrives by mail within one to two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my Missouri plate if I move out of state?
No. When you move out of state, you must register your vehicle in your new state and obtain a new plate. Missouri does not issue plates to out-of-state residents. If you plan to move back to Missouri within a year, you can ask your assessor about plate retention before you leave.
What happens if my registration sticker expires?
Driving with an expired sticker is a traffic violation. You can be stopped and cited. Renew your registration before your birthday month ends. If you miss the important date, renew as soon as possible and bring proof of renewal with you in case you are stopped.
How long does it take to get a personalized plate?
The review process takes one to two weeks. Once approved, the plate is ordered and arrives within two to four weeks. You can drive on your old plate while waiting for the personalized plate to arrive.
Do I need a new plate if I change my address?
No. Your plate is tied to your vehicle, not your address. Update your address with the assessor's office, but you do not need a new plate. You can request a new plate with your new county number during renewal if you move to a different county.
What if I want to switch from a specialty plate back to a standard plate?
You can switch at any time during renewal or between renewals. Contact your county assessor's office or use MyDMV to request a standard plate. A new physical plate is ordered for you, and you pay the standard registration fee instead of the specialty plate fee.