Official Site of The State of New Jersey

If you are looking to surrender license plates no longer in use, or replace license plates that have been lost, stolen, or damaged, read the information in the sections below. Information on how to transfer license plates when changing vehicles is also located below. If you want to find out more about standard issue or specialized license plates, please go to Plate Types.

Surrendering plates not in use

If you have New Jersey plates that are not in use, you have two options.

• Visit a motor vehicle agencyto surrender the plates.
• If you visit a motor vehicle agency to surrender plates no longer in use, Please deposit plates in the “drop box” outside of the agency.
• The MVC does not accept out-of-state plates. License plates from other states must be returned to the state that issued the plates.
• License plates cannot be surrendered at Inspection Stations.
• Note: A receipt will be mailed to you that will serve as proof that the plates were surrendered; in the event that charges are wrongfully acquired on them. If you need a receipt immediately due to a suspension please advise agency staff located at the greeter desk.

• Send by mail to: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
  P.O. Box 129
  Trenton, New Jersey 08666-0129
• Note: You must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope in order to receive a receipt once you surrender your plates by mail. You will need to save this receipt. It will serve as proof that the plates were surrendered in the event that charges are wrongfully acquired on them.

Reporting lost or stolen plates

For a vehicle currently in use

• If your plates were stolen, a report should be filed with local police and that report should be brought into the agency with you.
• If one or both of your plates were stolen or lost, you must visit a motor vehicle agency to obtain a replacement(s).
  • At the agency, you will need to complete a Vehicle Registration/Plate Status (Form BA-1 found only at motor vehicle agencies), to report the plates as lost or stolen. This form marks the verification status.

  For a vehicle no longer owned by you

  • Notify the MVC in writing.
    • Provide a signed statement describing what happened; include a police report if your plates were stolen.
    • Be sure to include your name, mailing address, license plate number, and signature..
    • Mail to: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
      Customer Advocacy Office
      P.O. Box 403
      Trenton, NJ 08666-0403

    Replacing lost or stolen plates

    To replace lost or stolen plates with new ones containing the next available number:

    • Make an official police report to the municipality where the plates were stolen and obtain a copy of the report for your records.
    • Visit a motor vehicle agency and present the current registration and required identification.
    • Pay the $6 fee for standard plates or the $11 fee for special interest /dedicated replacements.

    Replacing damaged plates

    To replace your damaged plates you must:

    • Visit a motor vehicle agency.
    • Present the current registration and required identification.
    • Pay the $6 fee for standard plates or the $11 fee for special interest or dedicated plates.
    • You will be issued a replacement set.
    • You must surrender your old plates (see above).

    To obtain duplicate plates with the same plate number, you can do one of the following:

    • Visit a motor vehicle agency to obtain the Application for Remaking an Existing Plate (Form SPU-89); or,
    • Download the application (Form SPU-89).
    • Call the MVC at (609) 292-6500 ext. 5061 to request the Application for Remaking an Existing Plate (Form SPU-89) and a return envelope.
    • Submit the application with a copy of your registration and a check or money order for $11 to the address on the application, or use return envelope if provided.
    • Duplicate plates will be sent to you through the mail in approximately 10 - 12 weeks.

    Transferring plates

    When you change vehicles, you can transfer your plates to the new vehicle so long as the vehicle is registered in the same name as the previous vehicle and the vehicles are the same class, i.e. car to car, truck to truck.

    • To complete this transaction, you must visit a motor vehicle agency.
    • Present the new title and registration you want to transfer as well as proper identification.
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