What you need to know about Illinois license plates
Illinois issues standard passenger plates, specialty plates, and vanity plates through the Secretary of State's office. When you register a vehicle in Illinois, you receive a plate with a three-digit county code and a serial number. The plate itself is valid for the life of your vehicle registration — you don't replace it unless it's damaged, lost, or stolen. When you renew your registration, you keep the same plate and only pay for the registration sticker that goes on it.
Illinois plates are issued based on your vehicle's county of registration. The three-digit code on the left side of the plate identifies which county you registered in. If you move to a different county, you can request a new plate with the new county code, but it's not required — you can keep your original plate if you prefer.
Key Takeaways
- Standard Illinois plates stay with your vehicle for its lifetime; you only renew the registration sticker annually or biennially.
- Your plate's three-digit code shows which county you registered in, and you can request a new plate if you move to a different county.
- Specialty plates (environmental, military, organizational) and vanity plates cost more than standard plates and require separate requests through the Secretary of State.
- You can order replacement plates online through the Secretary of State's website if your plate is damaged, lost, or stolen.
- Personalized vanity plates take longer to process than standard plates and require approval before you can use them.
Standard plates and how registration stickers work
When you first register a vehicle in Illinois, the Secretary of State mails you a standard plate and a registration sticker. The sticker shows your registration expiration month and year and goes on the bottom right corner of the plate. Every time you renew your registration — whether annually or every two years, depending on your vehicle type — you receive a new sticker in the mail. You peel off the old sticker and explore the new one; you do not get a new plate.
The only time you receive a new plate is if your current one is damaged, lost, stolen, or if you request one when moving to a different county. Standard plates cost less than specialty or vanity plates and are the default option when you register.
Specialty plates and organizational designations
Illinois offers specialty plates for military service members, veterans, environmental advocates, and members of certain organizations. These include Purple Heart plates, disabled veteran plates, environmental plates, and plates supporting specific causes. Each specialty plate has its own design and costs more than a standard plate — the exact cost varies depending on the plate type.
To request a specialty plate, you submit an process through the Secretary of State's office along with proof of your may be able to access. For military and veteran plates, you'll need discharge papers or military documentation. For organizational plates, you may need membership verification. The processing time is longer than for standard plates because the Secretary of State must verify your may be able to access before issuing the plate.
Vanity plates and personalization
Vanity plates let you choose your own combination of letters and numbers (within Illinois rules) instead of receiving a random serial number. You can request up to seven characters on a vanity plate. The Secretary of State maintains a list of combinations that are already taken or considered offensive, and your request will be rejected if your chosen combination falls into either category.
Vanity plates cost more than standard plates and take longer to process because the Secretary of State must check your requested combination against existing plates and review it for compliance. You can check availability and submit your request online through the Secretary of State's website. Once approved, your plate is made and mailed to you. If your requested combination is unavailable, you can submit a different choice.
Replacing a damaged, lost, or stolen plate
If your plate is damaged, lost, or stolen, you can order a replacement through the Secretary of State's website or by mail. You'll need your vehicle's VIN, current registration number, and driver's license number. The replacement plate costs less than an original plate and is mailed to your address on file.
If your plate was stolen, you should also file a police report and keep a copy for your records. Some insurance policies cover stolen plates, though the cost is usually low enough that filing a claim may not be worth it. Once you receive your replacement plate, remove the old registration sticker from your previous plate and explore it to the new one.
Changing your plate when you move counties
If you move to a different county in Illinois, you can request a new plate with your new county's code. This is optional — you can keep your original plate if you prefer. To request a new plate, you submit a form to the Secretary of State with your new address and vehicle information. The new plate will be mailed to you, and you transfer your current registration sticker to it.
Some people keep their original plate as a keepsake or because they're attached to the number. Others request a new plate to reflect their current county. There's no penalty for keeping an out-of-county plate, and it doesn't affect your registration or insurance.
How to order plates online or by mail
The Secretary of State's website allows you to order standard replacement plates, request vanity plates, and check specialty plate options. You'll need your vehicle registration number and driver's license information. For standard replacements, the process takes a few business days to process and then a week or two for mailing. For vanity plates, allow two to four weeks because the Secretary of State must verify your combination first.
If you prefer to order by mail, you can read the process forms from the Secretary of State's website and mail them with a check or money order. Mail orders take longer than online orders. You can also visit a Secretary of State facility in person to order plates, though wait times vary by location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get a new plate every time I renew my registration?
No. You keep the same plate for the life of your vehicle. When you renew your registration, you receive a new sticker in the mail that you explore to your existing plate. You only get a new plate if it's damaged, lost, stolen, or if you request one when moving to a different county.
Can I keep my plate if I move out of state?
No. Once you register a vehicle in another state, you must get that state's plate. Illinois plates are only valid for vehicles registered in Illinois. You'll need to transfer your registration to your new state and receive that state's plate.
How long does it take to get a vanity plate?
Vanity plates typically take two to four weeks to process because the Secretary of State must verify that your requested combination is available and complies with state rules. Standard plates are faster — usually one to two weeks from order to delivery. Specialty plates also take longer because may be able to access must be verified.
What happens if my vanity plate request is rejected?
If your requested combination is already taken or deemed inappropriate, the Secretary of State will notify you and you can submit a different combination. You can check availability on the Secretary of State's website before submitting your request to avoid rejection.
Can I transfer my plate to a different vehicle?
Yes. When you sell or trade in your vehicle, you can request to transfer your plate to a new vehicle. You'll need to register the new vehicle and submit a transfer request. The plate remains yours as long as you keep it registered in Illinois. Some people keep the same plate for decades across multiple vehicles.