Lost your plate, had it stolen, or is it too damaged to read? Georgia replacements must be handled in person at your county tag office. Here is exactly what to bring, what it costs, and how to protect yourself after a theft.
When Do You Need a Replacement Plate?
Georgia law requires every registered vehicle to display a legible, unobstructed license plate at all times. Under Georgia Code § 40-2-41, a plate that cannot be clearly read from a reasonable distance must be replaced. Driving without a readable plate is a citable offense regardless of the reason.
Stolen
File a police report immediately. A stolen plate can be used to commit crimes, rack up tolls, or run red lights, all of which trace back to your vehicle first.
Damaged
A bent, cracked, or faded plate that cannot be read must be surrendered and replaced at the county tag office. Bring the damaged plate with you.
Lost
If you cannot locate your plate after a move, accident, or other circumstance, a replacement application at the tag office is straightforward.
If Your Georgia Plate Was Stolen
Do not wait. A stolen Georgia plate can be placed on another vehicle and used immediately. Any violations, red light camera tickets, toll evasion, or crimes will first generate records tied to your plate number. The sooner you report and replace, the easier it is to contest any fraudulent activity.
Immediate action checklist
- Call your local police department or Georgia State Patrol to file a report, get the report number in writing
- Notify your auto insurance company of the plate theft
- Visit your county tag office within 5 business days
- Request a new plate number; do not reuse the stolen number
- Keep a copy of the police report in your vehicle until your new plate is installed
- Monitor for any toll, camera, or citation notices linked to your old plate number, and dispute them promptly with the police report
The Georgia Plate Replacement Process
Georgia plate replacements are handled exclusively at your county tag office, the office in the county where your vehicle is registered. Online and mail replacement are not available for standard plates in Georgia. You must appear in person.
The tag office will verify your identity, confirm your registration is in good standing, and issue a new plate on the same day for standard passenger vehicles. Personalized plate replacements take 4–6 weeks by mail because the custom combination must be re-manufactured by the Georgia DOR.
Visit the tag office in the county where your vehicle is registered, not where you currently live, if you have recently moved counties. If you have moved, update your address with the DOR first, then proceed with the replacement.
Document Checklist
Required for all replacements
- Valid Georgia driver’s license or state ID
- Proof of Georgia liability insurance (active in GEICS or current binder)
- Payment for the replacement fee
Situation-specific
- Damaged plate to surrender (for damaged replacements)
- Police report number (for stolen plate replacements)
- Current vehicle registration (helpful if name or address has changed)
Georgia Plate Replacement Fees
| Situation | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard plate replacement | $8 |
| Personalized plate replacement | Higher: varies by plate program |
| Replacement decal sticker only | $8 |
| Specialty plate replacement | Varies by specialty program |
Can You Keep Your Plate Number After a Replacement?
Yes, in most cases, you can keep the same license plate number after replacing a damaged, lost, or stolen plate. The DMV typically issues a new physical plate with the same registration number, as long as the plate is still active and eligible for replacement.
Lost or damaged
The tag office will typically re-issue your existing number if you request it, as long as the number is still assigned to your vehicle record in the DOR system.
Stolen
A new plate number is strongly recommended. The stolen plate remains in circulation with your old number, and any violations generated by it will initially point to that number. Getting a new number severs that link.
Personalized plates
Personalized plates always retain the same character combination upon replacement, because that combination is yours exclusively under your registration.
Georgia Is a Single-Plate State
Georgia only requires one license plate, mounted at the rear of the vehicle. Unlike states such as California or New York, Georgia does not require a front plate. In the vast majority of replacement situations, you are replacing only one plate, not two.
Even though Georgia does not require a front plate, some drivers choose to mount a decorative front plate. If a decorative front plate is stolen, it is not a registered Georgia plate and does not require a replacement through the tag office.