What a personalized plate costs and how long it takes
A personalized license plate in Illinois costs $101 for the first year, then $51 for each renewal. This is on top of your regular vehicle registration fee. The process takes roughly two to four weeks from the time the Secretary of State approves your request until the plate arrives at your address or the facility you choose for pickup.
You can order through the Illinois Secretary of State's online system or by mail. The online route is faster — you'll know within days whether your chosen text is available. If you go by mail, allow an extra week or two for processing before you even learn about your plate text was approved.
Key Takeaways
- Personalized plates cost $101 the first year and $51 every two years after, separate from your standard registration renewal.
- You choose up to seven characters (letters, numbers, or a mix), but the Secretary of State rejects text that's offensive, misleading, or already taken.
- Order online through the Illinois Secretary of State website for the fastest turnaround, or request a form by mail if you prefer paper.
- Your personalized plate renews on the same schedule as your vehicle registration, so you'll pay the renewal fee when your registration comes due.
How to check if your text is available
Before you commit to paying, you need to know whether your chosen text is already in use or will be rejected. The Illinois Secretary of State website has a search tool where you type in your desired plate text and it tells you when ready whether it's available. This search is free and takes seconds.
Keep in mind that the Secretary of State has rules about what text they will not approve. They reject plates that contain profanity, impersonate government agencies, reference illegal activity, or are sexually explicit. They also reject text that could be confused with standard registration plates — for example, a plate that looks too much like a standard format might be denied even if the specific characters aren't taken.
If your first choice is taken or rejected, try variations. Many people add numbers, change the order of letters, or use abbreviations. The search tool lets you test as many combinations as you want before you order.
Ordering online through the Secretary of State
Go to the Illinois Secretary of State's vehicle services website and select the personalized plate option. You'll need your vehicle's current registration number and your driver's license number. Enter your desired plate text, and the system will tell you when ready if it's available.
If the text is available, you'll proceed to payment. You can pay by credit card or debit card. Once your payment goes through, the Secretary of State will process your order. You should receive a confirmation email within one business day.
The actual plate will be produced and shipped to you or held for pickup at a Secretary of State facility, depending on which option you chose during ordering. Standard shipping takes two to four weeks. If you selected pickup, you'll receive a notice when the plate is ready.
Ordering by mail if you prefer not to go online
Request the personalized plate process form from the Illinois Secretary of State by calling their vehicle services line or visiting a local Secretary of State office. Fill out the form with your vehicle information, your desired plate text, and your payment. Mail it to the address listed on the form along with a check or money order for $101.
Processing by mail is slower. The Secretary of State will receive your form, check availability, and contact you by mail if your text is rejected. If it's approved, they'll cash your check and begin producing the plate. The entire process — from when they receive your form to when the plate ships — typically takes four to six weeks.
This route makes sense only if you don't have internet access or strongly prefer handling registration matters on paper. Otherwise, ordering online saves you two to three weeks.
What happens when your registration renews
Your personalized plate renews on the same schedule as your vehicle registration. When your registration comes due, you'll receive a renewal notice from the Secretary of State. The renewal notice will include the cost of renewing your personalized plate ($51) along with your standard registration renewal fee.
You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State office, just like a standard registration. If you renew online, the process takes minutes. If you renew by mail or in person, follow the same steps as your initial registration renewal — there's nothing special about the personalized plate portion.
If you decide you no longer want the personalized plate when it comes time to renew, you can switch back to a standard plate. You'll pay only the standard registration fee at that point, and the Secretary of State will issue you a regular plate.
Transferring a personalized plate to a different vehicle
You can move your personalized plate to another vehicle you own, but there are restrictions. The new vehicle must be registered in your name, and you cannot transfer the plate if your current registration is expired or suspended.
To transfer, contact the Illinois Secretary of State with your current plate number and the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle you want to move it to. There is no additional fee for the transfer itself, but your new vehicle will need to be registered in your name first. If the new vehicle is not yet registered, register it as a standard vehicle first, then request the plate transfer.
Plates you cannot order and what to do instead
Some text combinations will be rejected even if they're not currently in use. The Secretary of State maintains a list of prohibited text patterns, though the full list is not public. Common rejections include anything that looks like it could impersonate a government agency, anything with a slur or explicit reference, and anything that mimics a standard registration format so closely that it could confuse law enforcement.
If your text is rejected, the Secretary of State will tell you why in their response. You can then choose a different text and resubmit. There's no fee to resubmit — you only pay the $101 when your new text is approved and you confirm the order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order a personalized plate for a vehicle that's not yet registered?
No. Your vehicle must already have an active registration. If you're buying a new car, register it with a standard plate first, then order the personalized plate once the registration is active. You can do this when ready after registration — there's no waiting period.
What if someone else orders the plate text I want while I'm deciding?
Once someone else's personalized plate is approved and issued, that text is no longer available. The search tool will show it as taken. This is why it's worth ordering quickly if you've found text you like. The online system processes orders within days, so the risk of someone else taking your text is low if you order right away.
Do I have to renew my personalized plate every year?
No. Personalized plates renew on the same two-year schedule as standard Illinois registrations. You'll pay the $51 renewal fee every two years when your registration comes due, not every year.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind after ordering?
Refund policies vary depending on whether you ordered online or by mail and how far along the production process is. Contact the Illinois Secretary of State directly with your order number. If the plate hasn't been produced yet, you may be able to cancel and receive a refund, but this is not may provide.
What if my personalized plate is damaged or stolen?
Report the damage or theft to the Illinois Secretary of State. You can request a replacement plate. There may be a replacement fee — contact the Secretary of State to confirm the current cost. A replacement is usually faster than an initial order because the text is already approved.