Mississippi Specialty License Plates

License plates in Mississippi give motorists options beyond the standard plate, with specialty designs that can reflect military service, colleges, organizations, causes, professions, and other interests. Mississippi specialty license plates are issued under state requirements and may carry extra fees based on the selected plate type. Each design can have its own eligibility rules, application process, and renewal costs. Motorists can review available specialty plate choices through the Mississippi Department of Revenue and confirm the requirements that apply to their vehicle before selecting a plate.

License plates selected as specialty options can provide a distinctive appearance while supporting approved organizations, programs, or causes through designated fees. Mississippi offers a wide range of specialty license plates, including plates connected with veterans, universities, special interests, and other recognized groups. Availability, eligibility, fees, and ordering methods vary by plate category. Motorists should check current Mississippi Department of Revenue information for the latest requirements, plate choices, and application details before requesting a specialty license plate for a registered vehicle.

How to Get Mississippi Specialty Plates

If you want to know how to get Mississippi specialty plates, the process starts with choosing an available plate and checking whether you meet its requirements. The Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR) lists the state’s specialty plate options, while the county Tax Collector handles specialty plate orders as part of the vehicle registration process. The DOR confirms that specialty and personalized plates can be ordered through the county Tax Collector when registering a vehicle.

Select a Specialty Plate

Start by reviewing the available specialty plates listed by the Mississippi Department of Revenue. The state offers plates connected with military service, universities, organizations, causes, professions, wildlife, and other categories. The official DOR specialty plate page is the best place to check the current plate options. Some plates have specific qualification rules, so select a plate that fits your situation.

• Mississippi Department of Revenue — Specialty License Plates:
  • https://www.dor.ms.gov/motor-vehicle/available-license-plates/specialty-license-plates

Check Eligibility Requirements

Before you apply for a specialty plate Mississippi residents should check the requirements for the selected plate. Certain specialty plates are available only to people who meet a particular qualification, such as military status, organizational membership, or another condition established for that plate. Check the requirements before contacting your county Tax Collector so you know what supporting information may be needed.

Confirm the Current Fee

Specialty plates can have an additional fee on top of the regular vehicle registration costs. The amount depends on the plate selected. The Mississippi DOR publishes specialty-tag fee information and shows the additional fees associated with many specialty plates. Check the current amount for your selected plate before placing the order.

Prepare Your Documents

Gather the documents and information needed for your vehicle registration and the specialty plate you selected. Depending on the plate, you may need vehicle registration information or proof of eligibility. Requirements can differ by plate, so confirm the documents with your county Tax Collector before completing the transaction.

Contact Your County Tax Collector

The county Tax Collector is the main local point for ordering Mississippi specialty plates. The Mississippi DOR states that specialty and personalized plates can be ordered through the county Tax Collector when registering a vehicle. Contact your county office to confirm the current procedure, required documents, available payment methods, and any plate-specific requirements.

Submit the Order and Payment

Give the required information and supporting documents to the county Tax Collector and pay the applicable charges. This is the appropriate transaction path for residents who want to order specialty tags in Mississippi. The process is handled through the county Tax Collector rather than by presenting the DOR specialty plate webpage as an online ordering form.

Follow the Issuance Instructions

After the order is processed, follow the instructions provided by the county Tax Collector for receiving and using the specialty plate. Mississippi DOR materials have previously stated that first-time specialty and vanity plates may be mailed directly to the address provided to the Tax Collector, so keep your mailing information accurate and follow the instructions given for your transaction.

Specialty License Plate Eligibility

Mississippi specialty plate eligibility depends on the specific plate selected. Some plates are available to vehicle owners who meet standard Mississippi registration requirements, while others are limited to applicants with a particular qualification. Requirements may relate to military service, veteran status, professional credentials, organization membership, disability status, or another condition.

Before ordering a specialty plate, a qualifying applicant should:

• Check the eligibility requirements for the selected plate.
• Confirm that the vehicle qualifies for Mississippi registration.
• Determine whether proof of eligibility is required.
• Gather the required documentation before contacting the county Tax Collector.
• Confirm any plate-specific requirements with the appropriate county office.

General Eligibility

Basic eligibility usually starts with having a vehicle that qualifies for Mississippi vehicle registration. The exact rules can change based on the specialty plate selected.

A vehicle owner should check:

• Whether the vehicle is properly registered or being registered in Mississippi.
• Whether the selected plate is available for the type of vehicle.
• Whether the applicant meets the plate-specific qualification.
• Whether additional documentation is required.
• Whether the plate has restrictions on who may receive it.

Documentation for Specialty Plates

The required documentation depends on the individual specialty plate. Some applicants may need documents that confirm their status or connection to the category represented by the plate.

Possible proof of eligibility can include:

• Military records — documentation showing qualifying military service.
• Veteran documentation — records supporting eligibility for a veteran-related plate.
• Professional eligibility — a license, credential, or other evidence of qualifying professional status.
• Organizational affiliation — documentation showing membership or qualifying association with an organization.
• Disability documentation — applicable certification or documentation required for a disability-related plate.
• Other supporting documents — additional proof requested for an individual specialty plate.

Who Can Apply?

Who qualifies depends on the category and rules of the selected plate.

Specialty plates can be divided into several groups:

• General specialty plates: May be available to vehicle owners who meet standard registration requirements.
• Restricted specialty plates: Require the applicant to meet a specific qualification before the plate can be issued.
• Organization-specific plates: May require membership or another qualifying relationship with the named organization.
• Veteran plates: Intended for qualifying veterans and may require military service documentation.
• Professional plates: May be limited to applicants who meet the applicable professional requirements.

Types of Specialty License Plates

Mississippi offers a wide range of Mississippi specialty plates covering organizations, colleges, universities, causes, military service, wildlife, professions, schools, and other interests. The Mississippi Department of Revenue maintains the current specialty license plate inventory, which includes hundreds of individual designs. Many specialty tags carry an additional fee, and some plates have qualification requirements tied to the person, organization, profession, or cause represented.

The main categories include:

• Organizational and association plates
• College and university plates
• Awareness and cause plates
• Military and veteran plates
• Wildlife and conservation plates
• Professional and occupational plates
• School and community plates
• Commemorative and special-interest plates

Organizational Plates

Organizational plates are associated with clubs, associations, foundations, fraternities, sororities, and other groups represented in the Mississippi specialty plate inventory. They allow qualifying vehicle owners to display a connection with a particular organization through their license plate.

Examples listed by the include:

• American Legion
• Knights of Columbus
• Rotary International
• Alpha Kappa Alpha
• Alpha Phi Alpha
• Kappa Alpha Psi
• Delta Sigma Theta
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
• Boy Scouts of America
• Ducks Unlimited Inc.

College and University Plates

Mississippi college plates and university specialty plates let vehicle owners display support for a school through a specialty license plate. The current DOR inventory includes plates representing Mississippi institutions and several colleges or universities outside the state.

Current examples include:

• Mississippi State University
• University of Mississippi
• Alcorn State University
• Delta State University
• Jackson State University
• Mississippi Valley State University
• University of Southern Mississippi
• Mississippi University for Women
• Mississippi College
• Millsaps College
• Tougaloo College
• William Carey University

Awareness and Cause Plates

Awareness plates and cause plates represent health conditions, charitable causes, public-interest campaigns, and organizations. They give vehicle owners a way to display support for a particular cause through a specialty tag.

Examples in the current DOR inventory include:

• Autism Awareness
• Alzheimer’s Awareness
• Breast Cancer Awareness
• Down Syndrome Awareness
• Colon Cancer Prevention
• Mississippi Organ Donor
• Juvenile Diabetes
• Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation
• Mississippi Children’s Museum
• Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital

Military and Veteran Specialty Plates

Military plates and veteran specialty plates represent military service, awards, combat service, veteran status, and related military designations. Mississippi’s current DOR inventory includes branch-specific veteran plates, combat veteran designs, Gold Star plates, disabled veteran plates and plates connected with military awards or service periods.

Examples include:

• Veteran Air Force
• Veteran Army
• Veteran Navy
• Veteran Marine
• Veteran Coast Guard
• Combat Veteran Air Force
• Combat Veteran Army
• Combat Veteran Marine
• Combat Veteran Navy
• Gold Star Air Force
• Gold Star Army
• Gold Star Marine
• Gold Star Navy
• 100% Disabled Veteran plates
• Disabled American Veteran plates

Wildlife, Conservation and Outdoor Plates

Wildlife specialty plates and conservation plates focus on Mississippi’s animals, outdoor activities, natural resources, and conservation interests. The DOR inventory includes several designs connected with the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and other conservation organizations.

Examples include:

• Bass
• Deer
• Turkey
• Hummingbird
• Mallard
• Speckled Trout
• Rabbit
• Butterfly
• Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
• Wildlife Federation
• Coastal Conservation
• Delta Waterfowl

Professional and Occupational Plates

Professional plates and occupational designs represent certain careers, licensed professions, public-safety roles, and professional associations. The Mississippi DOR inventory includes plates connected with specific occupations and professional groups.

Examples include:

• Dental Hygienist
• Profession of Pharmacy
• Professional Fire Fighter
• Professional Hair Designers
• Realtors (Mississippi Association)
• Fire Fighters
• Law Enforcement – Police
• Law Enforcement – Sheriff
• Law Enforcement – State
• Retired as Career Law Enforcement Officer

School and Community Plates

School plates and community-focused specialty tags represent public school districts, individual schools, athletic programs, and local educational communities. The DOR inventory contains a large number of school-related designs.

Examples include:

• Biloxi Public School District
• Booneville School District
• Gulfport School District
• Oxford School District
• Rankin County School District
• Columbia School District
• Lafayette County School District
• Lanier High School
• Ridgeland High School
• Tupelo Public School
• West Jones High School

Commemorative and Special-Interest Plates

Commemorative plates and special-interest designs cover subjects connected with notable events, heritage, public interests, organizations, institutions, and Mississippi themes. The DOR inventory contains designs such as 2022 National Championship Ole Miss Baseball, MSU Baseball Championship, Pearl Harbor, State Flag, Historical, Mississippi Home of the Blues, and other interest-based plates.

Mississippi Specialty Plate Fees

Mississippi specialty plate fees vary by the plate selected. There is no single surcharge that applies to every specialty plate. The Mississippi Department of Revenue states that many specialty tags have an additional fee at purchase and/or renewal, with the amount and fee distribution determined by the individual plate. The regular vehicle registration taxes and fees are separate from this specialty-tag charge. For an exact Mississippi specialty plate cost, check the specific plate in the DOR’s Special Tag Fee Distribution database before ordering.

Replacing a Lost or Damaged Specialty Plate

A replacement specialty plate may be needed when a Mississippi specialty plate is lost, stolen, or damaged. The county Tax Collector is the local office to contact about the replacement process. Requirements can vary based on the reason for replacement and the type of specialty plate involved. Before requesting a replacement license plate, confirm the required documents, applicable fee, and any plate-specific conditions with the county Tax Collector.

Contact the County Tax Collector

Start by contacting the county Tax Collector where your vehicle registration is handled. Ask the office about the current replacement requirements for your specialty plate.

You may need to provide:

• Vehicle registration information
• Identification
• Existing plate information, if available
• Details about the lost, stolen, or damaged plate
• Any other information requested by the county Tax Collector

Report a Lost or Stolen Plate

If your lost specialty tag was stolen, the county Tax Collector can tell you whether a theft report or other documentation is required for the replacement request.

For a lost or stolen plate:

• Report the theft when required.
• Keep any applicable report or supporting record.
• Tell the Tax Collector that the specialty plate is missing.
• Follow the instructions provided for the replacement transaction.

Prepare Replacement Documentation

The documentation required for a replacement can depend on the plate and the reason for replacement. A restricted specialty plate may have additional requirements related to the qualification originally used to obtain it.

Possible documentation can include:

• Current vehicle registration information
• Identification
• Plate or registration details
• Theft or loss documentation, when requested
• Proof of eligibility for a specialty plate, when applicable

Pay the Replacement Fee

A replacement plate can require a fee. The applicable amount depends on Mississippi requirements and the type of replacement requested. Ask the county Tax Collector for the current replacement fee before completing the transaction.

Check Specialty-Specific Requirements

Some specialty plates have eligibility rules connected with military service, veteran status, professional qualifications, organizations, disabilities, or other categories. If your replacement involves one of these plates, confirm whether the same qualification or additional documentation is required for the replacement. The county Tax Collector can provide the applicable requirements for your specific specialty plate.

Renewing Specialty License Plates

Renewing Mississippi specialty license plates follows the vehicle’s regular registration renewal process. The Mississippi Department of Revenue states that many specialty tags have an additional fee at purchase and/or renewal. The amount varies by plate, so vehicle owners should check the current fee for their specific specialty plate before completing registration renewal. The county Tax Collector handles local registration transactions and can provide current information about applicable specialty-tag charges, registration taxes, and other fees.

Registration Renewal

Mississippi specialty plates renewal follows the vehicle’s regular registration renewal cycle. Vehicle owners must renew their registration according to Mississippi requirements, with county Tax Collectors handling registration transactions. Keeping the vehicle registration current allows the specialty plate to remain properly associated with the registered vehicle.

Specialty Fee at Renewal

When you renew specialty tags, an additional specialty-tag fee may apply. The Mississippi Department of Revenue states that many specialty tags have an additional fee at purchase and/or renewal. The amount is based on the specific specialty plate, so there is no single renewal surcharge that applies to every Mississippi specialty plate.

Check Your Plate’s Current Fee

Before completing Mississippi specialty plates renewal, check the current fee for the exact plate you have. The DOR Special Tag Fee Distribution database lists plate-specific fees and explains how those fees are distributed. Some plates can have different charges at purchase and renewal, so the individual plate listing should be used for the most accurate amount.

Regular Registration Taxes and Fees

The specialty-tag fee is separate from regular vehicle registration taxes and other applicable registration charges. Your total renewal amount can include the specialty plate charge along with applicable registration taxes and fees collected through the county Tax Collector. The specialty fee should not be treated as the complete cost of renewing your vehicle registration.

County Tax Collector

The county Tax Collector is the local office to contact for questions about specialty plate renewal, registration renewal, required payments, and transaction requirements. If you are unsure about the renewal amount for your specialty tag, contact the appropriate county office before completing the transaction. This can help you confirm the current charges for your specific vehicle and plate.

Can You Transfer a Specialty Plate?

A Mississippi specialty plate may be transferred to another vehicle when the plate owner and the owner of the new vehicle are the same person. County Tax Collector information indicates that specialty tags can be reissued to another vehicle under the same-owner condition, with applicable specialty fees potentially charged again. The transfer process can depend on the specific plate and vehicle registration requirements, so owners should confirm the applicable requirements and fees with their county Tax Collector before requesting a specialty tag transfer.

Same-Owner Transfer

A transfer specialty plate request may be possible when the current specialty plate and the replacement vehicle are owned by the same person. Mississippi county Tax Collector FAQs indicate that a specialty tag can be reissued to another vehicle when both vehicles are owned by the same owner. This means a specialty tag is not simply transferred to any vehicle or another person’s name.

Moving the Specialty Tag

If you want to transfer a license plate to another vehicle, contact your county Tax Collector before completing the vehicle transaction. The office can confirm whether the particular plate qualifies for a specialty tag transfer and what documentation is required.

You may need to provide:

• Current specialty plate and registration information
• Information for the vehicle receiving the plate
• Proof that both vehicles are owned by the same person
• Required registration documentation
• Payment for applicable transfer or specialty fees

Specialty Fees on Transfer

A specialty plate transfer can involve the specialty fee again, depending on the plate and applicable Mississippi requirements. Fees vary by specialty plate, so do not assume that an existing fee automatically carries over without another charge. Confirm the current amount with the county Tax Collector before requesting the transfer.

Specialty Plates vs Personalized Plates

Mississippi specialty plates and personalized plates serve different purposes. Specialty plates use state-approved designs tied to organizations, causes, colleges, military service, professions, or other approved interests. Personalized plates, sometimes called vanity plates, focus on the characters selected by the applicant. The main difference is the purpose of the plate design and what the owner wants the plate to represent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mississippi specialty license plates, including available plate types, eligibility, fees, ordering, renewal, and replacement requirements. Use these answers to get a clear idea of how specialty tags work and where to check current Mississippi plate information.

What are Mississippi specialty license plates?

Mississippi Specialty License Plates are state-approved plates featuring designs linked to organizations, causes, institutions, military service, professions, wildlife, or other interests. These specialty plates are often called special tags and may have additional fees or eligibility requirements based on the plate selected.

How many specialty plates are available in Mississippi?

Mississippi has a large selection of specialty plates, and the available inventory can change as plates are added, discontinued, or updated. The Mississippi Department of Revenue maintains the current list of available specialty plates. Check the official plate listing for the latest options rather than relying on a fixed number.

What types of specialty plates does Mississippi offer?

Mississippi offers many specialty plate categories, including organizational plates, college plates, awareness plates, military plates, wildlife plates, professional plates, and other special-interest plates. Each category can have its own design, eligibility rules, fee structure, and documentation requirements.

Are Mississippi specialty plates more expensive?

Many Mississippi specialty plates have an additional fee beyond regular vehicle registration charges. The amount varies by plate, and some specialty tags may have fees at purchase, renewal, or both. The Mississippi Department of Revenue provides current fee information for individual specialty plate options.

Who is eligible for a Mississippi specialty plate?

Eligibility depends on the plate selected. Some specialty plates are available to any qualifying applicant, while others require military service, professional status, organization membership, disability status, or another qualification. A qualifying applicant may need supporting documentation before the selected plate can be issued.