Minnesota lets you design your own license plate through the Department of Public Safety, but you'll pay an extra fee and wait several weeks for it to arrive
A custom license plate in Minnesota is one you design yourself — you choose the letters and numbers (within limits set by the state), and the plate is made to order instead of pulled from a standard batch. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety handles all custom plate orders. You can request a plate with a personal message, your initials, a date, or any combination of letters and numbers that fits the rules and hasn't already been claimed by someone else.
Custom plates cost more than standard plates and take longer to receive. The process is entirely online or by mail, and you'll need your vehicle registration and a valid reason to order one (most people straightforward want personalization, which is allowed). Once approved, your plate ships to you in the mail — you don't pick it up in person.
Key Takeaways
- Custom plates must be ordered through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website or by mail, and you design the combination of letters and numbers yourself.
- The fee for a custom plate is higher than a standard plate, and you pay it when you order; the exact cost depends on whether you're renewing an existing plate or creating a new one.
- Your custom combination cannot already be in use by another Minnesota driver, and the state rejects combinations that are offensive or violate content rules.
- Processing takes several weeks after approval, so plan ahead if you need the plate by a specific date.
- You can reserve a custom plate design for a limited time before you commit to paying the full fee.
How to order a custom plate online
Visit the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's license plate ordering website. You'll enter the combination of letters and numbers you want — up to seven characters total. The system when ready tells you whether that combination is available. If it's taken, you can try another one right away.
Once you find an available combination, you can reserve it for a set period (usually 30 days) without paying. This gives you time to decide whether you actually want to go through with the order. When you're ready to commit, you'll pay the custom plate fee, provide your vehicle registration information, and submit your order. The state then mails the plate to the address on your registration.
If you prefer to order by mail, you can read the process form from the Department of Public Safety website, fill it out by hand, and mail it with a check or money order to the address listed on the form. Mail orders take longer than online orders because of processing time.
What the custom plate rules allow and reject
Minnesota allows letters, numbers, and spaces on custom plates. Your combination can be anywhere from one character to seven characters long. The state does not allow special characters like hyphens, periods, or symbols.
The Department of Public Safety rejects combinations that are offensive, obscene, or that could be mistaken for official government plates. They also reject combinations that spell out words or phrases the state considers inappropriate. If your requested combination is rejected, you'll be notified and can try a different one. The state does not publish the full list of rejected words, so you may need to experiment or contact the department directly if you're unsure.
Cost and renewal of custom plates
A custom plate costs more than a standard Minnesota plate. The exact fee varies depending on whether you're ordering a new custom plate or renewing one you already have. Check the Department of Public Safety website for the current fee, as it may change year to year.
Custom plates renew on the same schedule as standard plates — typically every two years when your vehicle registration renews. When you renew, you'll pay the custom plate fee again along with your registration renewal fee. If you want to keep the same custom combination, you straightforward renew it. If you want to change to a different combination, you can do that during renewal as well.
How long it takes to receive your plate
After you submit your order and it's approved, allow two to four weeks for the plate to arrive by mail. This timeline assumes no delays in processing or mail delivery. If you need the plate by a specific date, order well in advance.
You can use your vehicle with your old plate until the new custom plate arrives. Once it arrives, remove the old plate and install the new one yourself — Minnesota does not require you to have a dealer or official office install it. Keep the old plate in case you need it for any reason.
What to do if your custom plate is rejected or unavailable
If the combination you want is already in use, the system will tell you when ready when you search for it. You'll need to choose a different combination. Try variations — for example, if "SOPHIA1" is taken, you might try "SOPHIA2" or "S0PHIA1" (using a zero instead of the letter O).
If your combination is rejected for content reasons, you'll receive a notice explaining that it doesn't meet state standards. You can then submit a new combination for review. If you believe your rejection was a mistake, you can contact the Department of Public Safety to ask about it, though the state's decision is final.
Transferring a custom plate to a new vehicle
If you buy a new vehicle and want to keep your custom plate, you can transfer it. Contact the Department of Public Safety or handle the transfer when you register your new vehicle. You'll pay a transfer fee, which is typically lower than the cost of ordering a brand-new custom plate.
You cannot transfer a custom plate to someone else — it stays with you as long as you renew it. If you stop renewing it, the combination becomes available for another driver to order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a custom plate on a motorcycle or trailer?
Minnesota custom plates are available for standard passenger vehicles. Rules for motorcycles and trailers differ — contact the Department of Public Safety to find out what options are available for those vehicle types.
What if someone else orders my name before I do?
Custom plate combinations are first-come, first-served. If someone else has already ordered the combination you want, it's not available. You'll need to choose a different one. The system shows you when ready whether a combination is taken.
Can I cancel my custom plate order after I've paid?
Refund policies depend on how far along your order is in processing. Contact the Department of Public Safety as soon as possible if you need to cancel. If the plate hasn't shipped yet, you may be able to get a refund; if it has shipped, you may not be able to cancel.
Do I need to display my custom plate on both the front and back of my vehicle?
Minnesota requires a license plate on the rear of your vehicle. A front plate is not required. Your custom plate goes on the rear. If you want a matching front plate, you would need to order a second custom plate.
How do I know if my custom plate design will look good on the actual plate?
The Department of Public Safety website shows you a preview of how your combination will appear on the physical plate before you pay. This preview uses the standard Minnesota plate design and font, so you can see exactly what it will look like when it arrives.