How to Get a Personalized License Plate in Ohio

Tired of road raging? Take the high road and switch to road phrasing! Get a personalized license plate in Ohio, express your individual personality and make your presence known wherever the road of life may take you. It's as simple as A, B, C, and 1, 2, 3.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet access
• Computer
• Vehicle registration
• Money for fees

1. Visit Ohio's Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) Web site through the link found below in the Who Can Help section.
2. Access an official application for personalized license plates by downloading form BMV 4705.
3. Read the instructions on the second page of the form before proceeding to the application portion of the form. Keep all rules, regulations, policies and class designations in mind while filling out the application.
4. Write your full legal name, address, home and business phone numbers, county of residence, date of birth, social security number and city, incorporated village or township.
5. Provide your vehicle's information, including title number, vehicle purchase date, odometer reading, year, make, body type, serial number, current license plate number and its expiration date. Indicate whether the vehicle is leased or not.
6. Mark your vehicle type.
7. Select a plate style.
8. Check the availability of your preferred personalized license plate messages by accessing Ohio's BMV Web site.
9. List four available choices for your personalized license plates in order of preference using capital alphanumeric character combinations. Be advised that the number of allowable characters on your personalized license plate depends on your vehicle type. You may not exceed the allowable number of characters for your vehicle's type; follow the rules for personalized message options outlined on the form.
10. Mail your request form to Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, ATTN: Registration Section, P.O. Box 16521, Columbus, Ohio, 43216-6521.
11. Get additional paperwork in the mail, including an application requiring your signature. Remit the signed application with the required documentation and fees.
12. Receive your personalized license plates, new registration card and validation and county stickers. Affix stickers on your permanent personalized plates upon receipt and use.

Tips & Warnings

• Be advised that if your plate is approved, it may undergo some changes during manufacturing. Certain characters' widths may cause the spacing specified to be reduced, eliminated or altered.
• You may keep your personalized license plates for as long as you wish, as long as you renew the special registration of your personalized license plates before their expiration date and pay all associated fees.
• The BMV will not honor requests for personalized license plates that contain prohibited characters, offensive or misleading messages or alphanumeric combinations that are already in use. Keep this in mind while choosing your plate message.
• Personalized license plates cost more than a standard license plate. Be aware that fees will likely compound on top of the standard license plate fees that you are accustomed to paying.
• Blank or incomplete areas on your application will cause the application process for your personalized license plate to be delayed. Be sure to fill in all requested information completely and truthfully.
• If your vehicle is sold, traded or its ownership transferred after the issuance of the personalized license plates, you must contact Ohio's BMV to report the transaction. You must also follow the appropriate guidelines to release the plate to the new owner, transfer the plate to your new vehicle or return the plate to the Bureau. Be advised that additional paperwork may be required.
• If the BMV approves your personalized license plate and later finds that your message is offensive or inappropriate, your personalized license plate may be recalled.
• Your personalized license plate request will not be processed unless your vehicle has an official certificate of title.
• Requests for personalized license plates will only be processed if the request is being made by the owner or lessee of the vehicle.