Alabama lets you design your own license plate with up to seven characters, and you order it through the Alabama Department of Revenue

A personalized plate in Alabama costs $25 more per year than a standard plate, on top of your regular registration fee. You choose the letters and numbers yourself — within limits — and the plate arrives by mail in about two to three weeks. You can order one when you renew your registration, or add one to a vehicle you already own by visiting a county probate office or ordering online through the Alabama Department of Revenue website.

The process is straightforward, but there are rules about what characters you can use and what words the state will reject. Understanding those rules before you order saves you from paying the fee and then having your request denied.

Key Takeaways

  • Personalized plates cost $25 extra per year beyond your standard registration fee in Alabama.
  • You can use up to seven characters — letters, numbers, or a combination — but spaces and special characters are not allowed.
  • Alabama rejects plates with offensive language, references to illegal activity, or anything that mimics a government seal or official plate.
  • You can order online through the Alabama Department of Revenue, by mail, or in person at your county probate office.
  • Once approved and ordered, your plate typically arrives within two to three weeks.

What characters you can actually use on an Alabama personalized plate

You have seven character spaces to work with. Each space can hold a letter (A through Z) or a number (0 through 9). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or any special characters — the plate itself has no room for them. If you want a plate that reads "ALABAMA1," that works. If you want "AL-BAMA1," it does not, because the hyphen is not allowed.

Numbers can go anywhere in your seven characters. Many people put them at the end ("MYNAME1" or "MYNAME12"), but you can also mix them throughout ("MY2NAME3"). The state does not care about the order, only that you stay within the seven-character limit and avoid forbidden content.

Plates Alabama will reject

The Alabama Department of Revenue maintains a list of words and phrases it will not approve. These include profanity, slurs, and references to illegal drugs or activities. The state also rejects plates that look like they are trying to impersonate a government agency — for example, anything that mimics a police plate or official seal.

If your first choice is rejected, you will be notified and given the chance to submit a different combination. There is no additional fee for resubmitting; you only pay the $25 annual charge once your plate is finally approved. Because rejections can add time to the process, it helps to have a backup choice in mind when you order.

How to order through the Alabama Department of Revenue website

The fastest route is the online system on the Alabama Department of Revenue website. You create an account, enter your vehicle information, and type in your desired plate combination. The system will tell you when ready whether that combination is available and whether it passes the content review. If it does, you pay the $25 personalization fee (plus your regular registration renewal fee if you are renewing at the same time) by credit card or debit card.

Once your payment is processed, your plate is ordered and will be mailed to the address on file with your registration. You do not need to visit an office or mail anything in. The entire transaction takes about ten minutes.

Ordering in person at your county probate office

If you prefer to order face-to-face, you can visit your county probate office with your vehicle registration and driver's license. The staff there can help you check whether your desired plate combination is available and submit the order on the spot. You will pay the $25 fee at that time, and your plate will be mailed to you.

Wait times at probate offices vary by county and time of day. Calling ahead to confirm they handle personalized plate orders can save you a trip, since not all offices process them on the same schedule.

Ordering by mail

You can also mail in an process using the form available on the Alabama Department of Revenue website. Print the form, fill in your desired plate combination and vehicle information, include a check or money order for $25, and mail it to the address listed on the form. Processing by mail takes longer than online or in-person ordering — typically four to six weeks total, including mail delivery time.

This route makes sense only if you do not have internet access or strongly prefer not to use it. For most people, the online system is faster and more convenient.

What happens after you order

Once your order is approved, the Alabama Department of Revenue manufactures your plate and mails it to you. This usually takes two to three weeks from the date your payment is processed. You will receive the plate by mail along with any registration documents.

When your plate arrives, you install it on your vehicle the same way you would a standard plate. Your old plate can be returned to your county probate office or kept as a souvenir — Alabama does not require you to turn it in. Your personalized plate is now active and valid for one year from your registration renewal date.

Renewing your personalized plate each year

When your registration is due for renewal, you can renew your personalized plate at the same time. If you renew online through the Alabama Department of Revenue website, you will see the option to keep your current personalized plate and pay the $25 annual fee again. If you renew in person at your probate office, staff can process the personalized plate renewal alongside your standard registration renewal.

If you decide you no longer want a personalized plate, you can switch back to a standard plate during any renewal. You will no longer pay the $25 annual fee, and a standard plate will be issued instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my personalized plate to a different vehicle?

Yes. You can transfer a personalized plate to another vehicle you own by visiting your county probate office or contacting the Alabama Department of Revenue. There is typically a small transfer fee, and the plate remains yours as long as you keep renewing it each year.

What if someone else already has the plate combination I want?

If another person in Alabama is using that combination, it is not available. The system will tell you when ready when you check online or at the probate office. You will need to choose a different combination.

How long does a personalized plate last?

Your personalized plate is valid for one year from your registration renewal date, just like a standard plate. You renew it annually by paying the $25 personalization fee along with your regular registration renewal.

Can I use numbers that look like letters, like 0 for O or 1 for I?

Yes. You can use the number 0 and the letter O in the same plate, or the number 1 and the letter I. The state allows this, though it may make your plate harder for others to read accurately.

What if my plate arrives damaged?

Contact the Alabama Department of Revenue with a photo of the damage. They will issue a replacement plate at no additional charge. Keep your receipt or order confirmation so you have proof of your order.