Personalized Plates Look Up and Orders
| New York State DMV - Internet Office Transactions |
| Personalized Empire Plates Look Up and Orders |
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Frequently Asked Questions about... Personalized Plates Look Up and Orders |
IMPORTANT NOTE! - If you have changed your address and did not notify the DMV, do not order personalized plates on-line.
The plates are mailed to the address on DMV files. You cannot change your address in the transaction or through an email request.
Empire Plates Look Up is the fast, easy way to personalize your plate with a letter/number combination that you create. When you find the plate combination you want, you can order it on-line.
On this page:
The information on this page explains how to order standard series Empire plates with your personalized letter/number combination. To view and order Custom Picture Plates (pro sports, NYS regions, military/veteran, etc.) see the on-line Custom Plate Gallery. Picture Plates can normally be personalized also.
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| First... | Select the registration class. Match your vehicle class: Passenger, Commercial or Motorcycle. |
| Next... | Enter your personalized letter/number combination. Create your own personalized plate and see if it is available. What can I use for my personalized plate combination? |
| Then... | See a sample of your plate. If you like it, you can order your plate on-line. |
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To order your personalized Empire plate on-line, you will need:
Before you start:
Make sure you meet these special requirements to order personalized plates on-line:
You must also meet these general requirements for any plate order:
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Look for your plate now - Return to the Transactions Menu - Top of Page
For what types of vehicles can I order personalized Empire plates on-line?
To order personalized plates on-line, your vehicle must be one of these types:
To order personalized Empire plates for a different type of vehicle, call the Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838 for assistance.
NOTE: You cannot order plates for the disabled on-line. You can order plates with the International Symbol of Access only through the DMV Custom Plates Unit.
What can I use for my personalized plate combination?
For Passenger and Commercial plates:
You can use a maximum of eight (8) letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9) and spaces.
You can select to have a state image 
appear on your personalized Empire plates. The state image is not required. If you select to have a state image on your personalized plate, the image counts as one character. When you order your plate, enter the "at" sign, @ on your keyboard where the state image will appear. You can have only one state image on your plate, and the state image cannot be the first or last character on your plate. See examples.
For Motorcycle plates:
You can use a maximum of six (6) letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9) and spaces on your plate. You cannot have a state image on a motorcycle plate.
Use of spaces
Use the spacebar on your keyboard to indicate a space on your plate. Each space counts as one character.
Spaces can control how letters and numbers are grouped and separated on your plate Spaces can make it easier to read and understand your personalized plate. For example, spaces make "GO 4 IT" easier to understand than "GO4IT".
Restricted combinations:
Personalized plates that give the appearance of an official plate or the configuration of special registration classes will not be issued. For example, a combination that includes "POLICE" or "NYS" is not allowed.
You must explain what the plate combination means or what the combination represents. The DMV reviews requested personalized plate combinations. The DMV is not required to issue a requested plate. You can read the DMV regulations for restrictions on personalized plate combinations.
When you create a combination, remember:
When I find a personalized plate combination that I like, how do I order it?
Personalized Empire plate orders are easy. You can order on-line, by phone or by mail:
| On-line | Have your vehicle registration and credit card ready, and use your credit card to place your order. See what you need to order your plate on-line. |
| Phone or Mail | Get the instructions to order your personalized plates by phone or mail. |
Can I order plates on-line if...
...my address has changed since I last renewed my registration?
No, do not order personalized plates on-line if you have changed your address and you did not notify the DMV. Your new plates and registration documents will be mailed to your old address, and the US Postal Service may not forward them. Instead, see the instructions to order your personalized plates by phone or by mail.
NOTE: The mail-in order form (CP-62.1) includes a checkbox to change your address, but this will update your address only on the registration of the record of the vehicle for which you order personalized plates.
The DMV web site has the instructions to update your name and address on your different DMV records and documents.
...I am temporarily not at the address on my current registration?
Yes, if mail will be delivered and accepted at the address on your current registration you can order personalized plates on-line. If not, call the DMV Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838 to order plates.
...my name has changed since I last renewed my registration?
No, do not order personalized plates on-line if you have changed your name and did not notify the DMV. Your new registration will be issued in your old name.
The DMV web site has the instructions to update your address on your different DMV records and documents.
...my registration expires within the next 60 days?
No, renew your registration first. Whether or not you received a renewal notice, if your registration expires in 60 days or less, you must renew your registration before you can order personalized plates. The DMV web site has the instructions to renew your vehicle registration.
Is this transaction always available? What are the hours for this transaction?
This transaction is normally available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What is the cost to do this transaction on-line? Does the DMV charge a higher fee to do this transaction on-line?
For transactions processed before September 1, 2009, and for registrations with expiration dates before September 1, 2009, the initial cost of a personalized Empire plate is $43 for passenger and commercial vehicles, with an annual fee of $25. Motorcycle plates cost $25.50 initially, with an annual fee of $15.
For transactions processed on and after September 1, 2009, the initial cost of a personalized Empire plate is $50 for passenger and commercial vehicles, with an annual fee of $31.25. Motorcycle plates cost $30 initially, with an annual fee of $18.75.
The annual fee is in addition to your vehicle renewal fee and will be paid when you renew your registration. A registration renewal for two years will include two annual fees.
There is no additional cost to do this transaction on-line. The fee you pay on-line is the same fee that you would pay to order personalized Empire plates by mail or at a DMV office.
The transaction page will show the amount of your payment before you submit the order.
How do I pay for my personalized plates?
You must use a credit card or an acceptable debit card to pay for this transaction on-line. The DMV accepts these credit cards:
You can use a debit card if the debit card was issued by MasterCard® or Visa® and the card does not require you to enter a personal identification number (PIN).
Does the DMV protect my credit card information and my personal information on the Internet?
The DMV uses secure socket layering (SSL) to protect your information. The DMV encrypts your credit card information and your personal information so other Internet users cannot read the information. Read the DMV Privacy and Security Statement.
Why do I need a Confirmation Number?
- How will I know if my transaction was processed?
- Will I receive a receipt or proof that my transaction was processed?
You need your Confirmation Number if you contact the DMV about your on-line transaction. After you complete the transaction, you will see a confirmation page in your browser window. The confirmation page displays your Confirmation Number and other information about your transaction.
When the confirmation page appears in your browser window, write your Confirmation Number on a piece of paper. Do not try to print or to reload the confirmation page until you first record the confirmation number. Some browsers can erase your transaction information from the page if you try to print or to reload this page.
The confirmation page can take several seconds to appear. If the confirmation page does not appear immediately, do not select the button to submit your payment again. If you select the button more than one time, you can receive an error message. Wait for the confirmation page to appear.
Your Confirmation Number also appears in the email confirmation message that you will receive after you submit your payment.
Can I go on-line to cancel my personalized Empire plate order?
No. You cannot cancel an order on-line after you submit your payment. Contact the Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838 for assistance.
How long will it take to get my new personalized plates and registration?
Your new registration documents will be mailed separately from your new personalized plates. In approximately 10 days or less after your order is processed, you will receive new documents that show your current plate number and your new personalized plate combination. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for the personalized plates to arrive. If you do not receive your registration documents within 10 days or your personalized plates within 8 weeks, contact the DMV Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838.
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