Tag Office Guide
How to replace a lost or stolen license plate or decal
Stolen plates need a police report first. What it costs, whether you keep your number, and what to do while you wait.
Driving with a missing plate or an expired-looking decal is a traffic stop waiting to happen, and if the plate was stolen it may already be attached to someone else's crime. Replace it promptly.
If it was stolen, file a police report first. The report protects you from liability for anything done with the plate and, in most offices, is required before a replacement is issued.
What you need
- Photo ID
- Tag number, or VIN if you do not have the number
- Police report number, for a stolen plate
- Current proof of insurance
- Replacement fee, which is modest in both states
Do you keep the same number?
For a lost plate, usually yes. For a stolen plate, offices often issue a new number specifically so the stolen one can be flagged. If you have a personalized plate, ask about reissue before accepting a new number.
Decals only
If the plate is fine but the year or month decal peeled off or was stolen, you need a decal replacement rather than a full plate. It is cheaper and faster. Decal theft is common enough that offices handle it routinely.
Driving while you wait
Both states issue a temporary permit or receipt covering you until the replacement arrives. Keep it in the vehicle. If you are stopped, it is the difference between a warning and a citation.
Damaged, not lost
Bring the damaged plate with you and surrender it. Offices generally charge less for a replacement when the old plate is turned in, and it eliminates any question about the original being in circulation.