Illinois

The Illinois Secretary of State oversees the distribution and issuance of personalized and customized vanity license plates. Illinois allows you to determine if your specific lettering on the license plate is available online at the Pick a Plate Website

Personalized license plates in Illinois can be ordered online and take up to 45 days for processing and delivery. License plates can only be ordered by a registered owner and the plate you order must be registered to an Illinois vehicle at the time of issuance.

• Types of Vehicles: The Illinois Secretary of State allows personalized license plates on Autos, Trucks weighing less than 8,000 pounds, Trailers, RVs and Motorcycles.

• Types of Plates: Illinois recognizes TWO types of personalized license plates: (1) Vanity License plates contain up to to 3 numbers or 1 to 7 letters only or (2) Personalized License Plates that contain BOTH letters and numbers.

• Fee: The fee for a Vanity License plate for a newly acquired vehicle in Illinois is $94 plus title and registration fees. The fee for a Personalized License plate for a newly acquired vehicle in Illinois is $47 plus title and registration fees. For more information, visit the Illinois Personalized License Plate Online Application Form.

• Number of Characters: In Illinois, Vanity License plates can contain up to to 3 numbers or 1 to 7 letters only (including letters A to Z and numbers 1 thru 999). Personalized License Plates can contain up to 7 characters for BOTH letters and numbers and must have a space between letters and numbers.

• Limitations: Personalized and Vanity license plates in Illinois are subject to approval by the Illinois Secretary of State. The website also states that the following are not allowed:

• Intermixing letters and numbers.
• Use a space between numbers.
• Use lowercase letters.
• Select obscene or offensive combinations.

• Is My Plate Available?: Yes – you can look your preferred license plate up online! Visit the Illinois Pick a Plate Website.

• How to Order: To order your personalized Illinois personalized license plate, follow these steps:
  • Visit the Illinois Pick a Plate Website to see if your personalized message is available and then follow the instructions to order online OR
  • Complete a Personalized Illinois License Plate Application form. Submit your application and fees by mail to:

• Additional Information: For more information on obtaining a personalized or vanity license plate in Illinois, visit the Illinois Pick a Plate website, go to the Illinois Secretary of State office or call them at 1-800-252-8980.