PROCEDURES AND INSTRUCTIONS
Provision of Law:
Section 320.0607, Florida Statutes, provides for the replacement of license plates and validation decals when the original license plate or decal has been lost, stolen, defaced, damaged, destroyed or lost in transit.
Application Requirements for a Replacement License Plate, Decal or Parking Permit:
Application for a replacement license plate, validation decal or parking permit should be submitted to the local county tax collector's office or license plate agency for processing. However, if the application is for a "special license plate" not issued in the tax collector's office or license plate agency, it must be submitted to the Division of Motorist Services, Direct Mail, MS# 72, Neil Kirkman Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399.
1.Form HSMV 83146, Application for Replacement License Plate, Validation Decal, or Parking Permit, accurately completed, by the owner/lessee.
2.Contact your local county tax collector's office or license plate agency for fee information.
3.For Mail requests, also include copy of the Florida vehicle registration certificate.
Types of Replacement License Plates
Voluntary Replacement at time of Renewal:
An owner may, at any time during the registration period, replace a license plate, decal or parking permit. The replacement license plate fee is required in addition to the regular registration renewal fee if the registration has expired.
Damaged:
A damaged license plate is when the license plate has sustained physical damage.
Example: A boat trailer struck the license plate and dented the letters or numbers, customer has waxed or pressure-washed the letters off the license plate, etc.
Replacement fees are required.
Defaced:
A defaced license plate is when the license plate has not sustained physical damage but is unreadable for some other reason.
Example: The sun has faded the letters or numbers on the license plate.
Replacement fees are required.
Lost (not stolen) or Destroyed:
A license plate or validation decal that is being reported by the owner as lost or destroyed must be replaced. Form 83146 and fees are required.
NOTE: A lost personalized license plate may be issued with the same characters.
Lost in Transit:
License plates, decals or parking permits lost in the mail may be replaced at no fee, if the application is made within 180 days from the date of issuance.
Stolen (not lost):
A license plate or validation decal that is being reported by the owner as stolen must be replaced. Form 83146 and fees are required. If the customer provides a copy of a police report by a law enforcement officer which cites the stolen item, it will be replaced for free. A copy of the police report should be attached to form HSMV 83146.
NOTE: A personalized replacement license plate may be issued with the same characters if the law enforcement agency provides the customer with a statement that such license plate has been removed from the FCIC and NCIC computer files.
Seized:
Replacement fees are required for seized license plates.
Surrendered:
Replacement fees are required for surrendered license plates.
Visit the following website for addresses: http://www.flhsmv.gov/offices/
