What plate options Minnesota offers

Minnesota offers three main categories of license plates: standard white plates with blue lettering, personalized plates where you choose the characters, and specialty plates that support specific causes or organizations. Standard plates are included with your registration renewal at no extra cost. Personalized and specialty plates each carry additional fees beyond your base registration cost, and the fees vary depending on which plate type you select.

The state issues new standard plates every five years during renewal, though you can request a new plate sooner if yours is damaged or unreadable. Personalized and specialty plates remain valid for the same registration period as your vehicle, so you renew them on your vehicle's regular schedule.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard white plates with blue lettering are included in your registration renewal cost and require no additional choices.
  • Personalized plates let you choose up to seven characters and cost an additional fee that varies based on the character combination you select.
  • Specialty plates support causes like wildlife conservation, military service, or specific organizations, and each has its own additional fee.
  • You can switch between plate types at renewal or request a change mid-registration through the Minnesota Secretary of State.

Standard plates and when to request a replacement

Standard Minnesota plates come automatically with your registration renewal. These white plates with blue lettering and the state name display your registration number and expiration month and year. You do not need to do anything to receive a standard plate—it arrives with your renewal documents.

If your plate is damaged, faded, or unreadable before your renewal date, you can request a replacement plate from the Minnesota Secretary of State. You will need your vehicle identification number (VIN), current registration number, and proof of ownership. There is a fee for a replacement plate issued outside the normal renewal cycle. Contact your local Deputy Registrar office or the Secretary of State to request one.

Personalized plates: character limits and pricing

Personalized plates let you choose the characters that appear on your plate, within Minnesota's rules. You can use up to seven characters, which can be letters, numbers, or a combination. The state does not allow spaces, punctuation, or characters that could be confused with others (for example, the number zero and the letter O). You also cannot use combinations that are offensive or already taken by another vehicle owner.

The cost of a personalized plate depends on the characters you choose. straightforward combinations cost less; rare or highly desirable combinations cost more. You pay this additional fee when you order the plate, and it is separate from your registration renewal fee. You can order a personalized plate through the Minnesota Secretary of State website, by mail, or at a Deputy Registrar office. The state will tell you the exact price before you confirm your order.

Once you have a personalized plate, you keep it for as long as you want—even if you sell the vehicle. You can transfer it to a different vehicle you own, or you can let it expire. If you want to switch back to a standard plate, you can do so at your next renewal or request the change when ready through the Secretary of State.

Specialty plates and their causes

Minnesota offers specialty plates that support specific causes, organizations, or groups. These plates display a design related to the cause and a portion of the fee goes to that organization. Current specialty plate options include plates supporting wildlife conservation, military veterans, breast cancer awareness, and other causes. The list of available specialty plates changes over time as new programs are added and others end.

Each specialty plate has its own additional fee beyond your base registration cost. The fee amount and where the money goes are set by state law for each plate type. You can see the current list of available specialty plates, their designs, and their fees on the Minnesota Secretary of State website. You order a specialty plate the same way you order a personalized plate—through the Secretary of State website, by mail, or at a Deputy Registrar office.

If you have a specialty plate and want to switch to a different type at renewal, you straightforward select the new plate type when you renew. You do not have to keep the same specialty plate for the entire registration period if you change your mind.

How to order personalized or specialty plates

You can order a personalized or specialty plate through three routes: the Minnesota Secretary of State website, by mail, or in person at a Deputy Registrar office. The website is usually the fastest option because you can check character availability and see the exact price when ready before you pay.

To order online, go to the Secretary of State website, select the plate type you want, enter your desired characters or choose your specialty plate design, and complete the payment. The state will mail your new plate to the address on your registration. Processing typically takes one to two weeks after payment.

If you prefer to order by mail, read the process form from the Secretary of State website, fill it out with your vehicle information and plate choice, and mail it with payment to the address listed on the form. By mail, processing takes longer—usually two to three weeks after the state receives your process.

You can also visit a Deputy Registrar office in your county to order in person. Bring your vehicle registration, proof of ownership, and payment. Some offices can issue the plate on the spot; others will mail it to you. Call ahead to confirm what your local office offers.

Switching plate types at renewal or mid-registration

The easiest time to change your plate type is during your registration renewal. When you renew, you can choose to keep your current plate, switch to a standard plate, or select a different personalized or specialty plate. You pay any additional fees as part of your renewal payment.

If you want to change your plate type before your renewal date, you can request a mid-registration change through the Secretary of State. There may be an additional fee for changing plates outside the normal renewal cycle. Contact the Secretary of State or your local Deputy Registrar office to request a mid-registration change and learn what fee applies.

Fees and what they cover

Standard plates are included in your base registration renewal fee and cost nothing extra. Personalized plates carry an additional fee that varies based on the characters you choose—the state sets the price for each possible combination. Specialty plates each have a set additional fee established by state law.

All plate fees are one-time charges per registration period. When you renew your registration, you pay the plate fee again if you keep the same plate type. If you switch to a different plate type at renewal, you pay the fee for the new type instead.

Replacement plates issued outside the normal renewal cycle (because yours is damaged or unreadable) carry a separate replacement fee. This fee is the same regardless of whether you have a standard, personalized, or specialty plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my personalized plate if I sell my car?

Yes. Your personalized plate belongs to you, not to the vehicle. When you sell the car, you can transfer the plate to another vehicle you own, let it expire without transferring it, or keep it on file with the state. If you transfer it to a new vehicle, you will pay a transfer fee to the Secretary of State.

What happens if someone else wants the same personalized plate I want?

Personalized plates are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. If the character combination you want is already taken, the state will tell you when you check availability online or submit your order. You will need to choose a different combination. You can check availability before you pay, so you will know whether your choice is available.

Do specialty plates cost more than personalized plates?

It depends on the specific plate. Some specialty plates cost less than a personalized plate; others cost more. Each specialty plate has its own set fee, and personalized plate fees vary by character combination. Check the Secretary of State website to compare the cost of the specific plates you are considering.

Can I have a personalized plate and a specialty plate at the same time?

No. Your vehicle displays one license plate. You can have a personalized plate or a specialty plate, but not both. You can switch between them at renewal or request a mid-registration change if you change your mind.

What if my personalized plate is damaged or faded?

You can request a replacement plate from the Secretary of State. There is a replacement fee. Your new plate will have the same characters as your original personalized plate. Contact the Secretary of State or your local Deputy Registrar office to request a replacement.