Photo ID
Ohio driver license or state ID. Staff can look up your registration if you lack the plate number.
Printable guide
Replacement Plates & Stickers Checklist
Use this if a plate, validation sticker, or registration card is lost, stolen, or damaged.
independent DMV and BMV information guide Verify requirements with the official DMV or BMV before you visit.
Bring these
Bring to replace what's missing
Plate number or registration
Bring whichever you still have.
Proof of Ohio insurance
Required for plate and registration transactions.
Any damaged plates
Surrender damaged plates at the counter.
Payment
$9.00 for a sticker or registration card, $15.00 for one plate, $16.25 for two.
Decision point
Lost, damaged, or stolen?
Lost or damaged
A straight replacement. Bring your ID, insurance, and any damaged plate to surrender.
Stolen
File a police report first. It protects you if the plate is used in a crime or to dodge tolls and tickets, and it may be requested at the counter.
Sticker or card only
A replacement sticker or duplicate registration can also be ordered electronically through official Ohio BMV online services and mailed to you.
At the visit
Simple steps
- Confirm what's missing, sticker, one or both plates, or the registration card.
- For a stolen plate, file a police report and bring the report number.
- Tell the counter what you're replacing and surrender any damaged plates.
- Pay the fee. Stickers and cards are issued at the counter, plates may be issued on-site or mailed.
Avoid a return trip
- Do not keep driving on a missing or unreadable plate, it is a citable offense.
- Do not skip the police report for a stolen plate.
- Do not confuse a replacement with a renewal, a replacement sticker only reissues your current one.