How to Get a Personalized License Plate in Alabama

Last Updated: March 4, 2023 References

Alabama has a wide variety of personalized license plate backgrounds from which to choose. The designs range from colleges, military and more than 35 specialty groups, including race car fans. You can check online to see if the message you want is available, however you will need to visit the local County Title and Registration office to order the plates.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Online Personalized Message Reservation

1
Decide what Alabama specialty plate you would like to have personalized. You can visit the Alabama Department of Revenue (ADOR) website for a complete list of available specialty plate backgrounds. Just click on the motor vehicle division.^{[1]
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Visit the Alabama Interactive website.^{[2]
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3
Select your preferred tag type from the drop down menu.^{[3]
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Type in your desired message. You may have to try several combinations if your desired message is unavailable.
5
Pay your $2 registration holding fee once your message is approved. Your message will be reserved for five days.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Purchase your Plates

1
Find the County Title and Registration office in your area. Visit the ADOR motor vehicle division website for a list of county offices.^{[4]
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2
Apply in person at the County Title and Registration license plate issuing office. If you did not confirm your message online, the issuing officer will have to confirm your personalized license plate message is available before completing the application.
3
Pay the appropriate registration fees and taxes. The cost for standard registration plus an additional annual fee will be required. A list of fees, based on vehicle type, can be found on the ADOR website.
4
Pick up your registration documents and tags. This includes a receipt along with a 60-day temporary license plate. You will also be given month and year decals to be placed on your new license plates once they arrive.

Community Q&A

Question

How many letters can I have on a personalized tag?

Community Answer

Up to 7 or 8, I think. Try for more if you want to, you may just be told you have to reduce the number.

Warnings

You must order your plates within 5 days of reserving your message or it will be released for someone else to reserve.

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Alabama only issues personalized license plates for passenger cars and trucks weighing 12,000 lbs. or less. Some motor homes are exempt from this weight limit.

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License plates with the International Symbol of Access for the disabled and military plates are only offered for trucks weighing less than 8,000 lbs.

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