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Personalized plates

Standard white and blue Michigan license plate with PUREMI as the plate number

Personalized plates

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Personalized plates

Plate may be personalized with up to 6 or 7 characters, depending on plate type. All plate configurations are based on availability and are subject to review by the Michigan Department of State. The department has the authority to decline to issue a configuration, per state law.

  • Only use letters A-Z and numbers 0-9 (symbols cannot be processed)
  • Spaces are allowed and are counted as characters
  • The letter ‘O’ is substituted by the number ‘0’

Note: Colors, fonts, and spacing online may appear differently than actual plates.

Check for plate availability

  • Under sections 257.803b and 257.803m of the Michigan Vehicle Code, the Secretary of State may issue a personalized license plate instead of a standard plate. This voluntary program allows individuals to request a particular configuration for their license plate. The Michigan Vehicle Code requires that the Secretary of State prescribe the letters and numbers for all plates, however, not all requests will be granted.

    The Secretary of State will not issue a configuration of either letters, numbers, or letters and numbers that carries a connotation that is profane-or obscene; is a swear word or depiction of a swear word; is sexually explicit or graphic; is excretory-related; is used to describe intimate body parts or genitals; is used to describe alcohol, alcohol use, drugs, drug culture or drug use; is used to describe illegal activities or illegal substances; substantially interferes with plate identification for law enforcement purposes; is used to disparage or promote or condone hate or violence directed at any type of business, group or persons, a foreign word falling into these categories, or that conflicts with the regular license plate numbering system.

    Please note: The Michigan personalized plate program is a voluntary program and may be suspended or canceled at any time. Under the Michigan Vehicle Code, the license plate is state property. Once issued, if at a later date the plate choice is determined to conflict with the standards listed, the Department of State may recall the license plate. 

Ordering information

    • Original plate: Apply for a personalized plate at any Secretary of State office or online. A non-refundable personalized service fee of $30.00 will be assessed in addition to the registration fee.
    • Renewing: Personalized plates can be renewed online, by mail, or at any self-service station. A $15 personalized service fee is assessed upon renewal in addition to the annual plate fee.

    A second decorative plate may be purchased for $5 but can’t be used as a registered plate on a vehicle.

    We advise you to order your plate as soon as you’ve checked its availability since we can’t guarantee that someone else won’t also be applying for the same letter/number configuration. You will receive a receipt for your plate pending its approval. Approved plates are mailed from Lansing.

Mouse scrolling over "Will this plate before a motorcycle?" and selecting no. Mouse then scrolls over "Will this be for a disability plate?" and selects no before clicking the next button.
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Mouse moving over input and typing "23GRAD" and selecting "Check availability." Notification shows "This plate number is currently available" with a green check icon. Mouse then selects "Order Plate."
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A screenshot of the vehicle information screen of the personalized plates process
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