Form MV-904 at a glance
What it is: Form MV-904 is the application for a personalized, amateur radio operator or press photographer registration plate, with a space for Department use only.
Who signs: Sign on the Signature of Owner or Authorized Signer line; a co-owner signs on the Signature of Co-Owner line; add the Date.
What to bring and attach to Form MV-904
Payment is to be made by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. DO NOT SEND CASH.
Allow 8 to 10 weeks for delivery.
A filled-in Form MV-904 example: a personalized registration plate
How to fill out Form MV-904, box by box
Applicant and vehicle information
In Section A, list the information currently shown on the title or registration card: Last Name (or Full Business Name), First Name, Middle Name, PA DL/Photo ID# or Bus. ID# and Date of Birth.
For a co-owner, list Co-Owner Last Name, First Name, Middle Name, PA DL/Photo ID# and Date of Birth.
Enter the Street Address, City, State, Zip Code and Daytime Telephone Number, Home and Office.
Enter the Vehicle Identification Number, Title Number, Make of Vehicle, Registration Plate Number and Expiration Date.
If additional registration cards are desired, there is a $2 fee for each registration card: enter the number of duplicate registration cards requested @ $2 each (checked November 2, 2026).
Personalized registration plate information
In Section B, personalized registration plate information, enter a FIRST CHOICE, SECOND CHOICE and THIRD CHOICE. The number of allotted letters or numbers in combination varies depending on the selected registration plate type. No other special characters are available. Please use capital letters and print clearly.
When requesting a numeric character of zero, show it as "Ø" instead of the alpha character "O." After printing the form, be sure any zero is marked with a "/."
Standard personalized registration plates, including passenger car, truck, trailers, etc., may contain up to SEVEN letters and numbers in combination. Only one hyphen or space is permitted, but not both. If no hyphen or space is requested, one block will remain blank. A hyphen or space is not recognized as part of the registration plate configuration and does not count as one of the letters or numbers. An extra box is provided if you wish to include a hyphen or space as part of your configuration.
Motorcycle personalized registration plates may contain up to FIVE letters or FIVE letters and numbers in combination. Motor Home personalized registration plates may contain up to SEVEN letters and numbers in combination. Moped personalized registration plates may contain up to FIVE letters and numbers in combination. Permanent Trailer registration plates may contain up to FOUR letters or numbers in combination; a pre-printed letter configuration of "PT" will precede your personalized configuration and an "A" will follow your personalization configuration on your registration plate and cannot be changed. Press Photographer personalized registration plates may contain up to THREE letters and numbers in combination; a pre-printed letter configuration of "PP" will precede your personalized configuration on your registration plate and cannot be changed. If a hyphen or space is used as part of the registration configuration, it counts as one of the available spaces for personalization.
Amateur radio operator registration plate information
In Section C, Amateur Radio Operator Registration Plate Information, enter the date after "dated" for your Amateur Radio Station License (copy must be attached) issued by the Federal Communications Commission, and the call letters in the "and have been assigned call letters" box.
Amateur Radio Operator: one registration plate will be issued with your FCC assigned call sign. If you desire a second Amateur Radio Operator registration plate, your FCC call sign plus a hyphen and the #2 will be issued.
A copy of your Amateur Radio Station License must be attached. No other personalization is available.
Press photographer registration plate information
In Section D, Press Photographer Registration Plate Information, certify that you are employed full time by the Name of Firm, and enter its Street Address, City, State and Zip Code.
The motor vehicle for which the Press Photographer registration plates are requested will be used in pursuit of your regular employment in covering news events.
The employer completes the following information: certifies that the photographer is employed as a newspaper, newsreel, or television news photographer, with Signature of Employer, Printed Name of Employer and Date.
Press Photographer plates are issued to a person who is employed full time as a newspaper, newsreel, or television photographer or camera operator. The vehicle must be registered in the name of the press photographer or jointly by the press photographer and a co-owner. Only one set of press photographer registration plates will be issued to any applicant.
Applicant(s) signature
In Section E, Applicant(s) Signature, certify that all information given on this application is TRUE and CORRECT.
More rules for Form MV-904
Check the block for the type of registration plate desired. Personalized Registration Plate: complete Sections A, B and E. Amateur Radio Operator Registration Plate: complete Sections A, C and E. Press Photographer Registration Plate: complete Sections A, B (if applicable), D and E. A fee is required for each type. An additional fee is due if requesting personalization of the Press Photographer registration plate.
Registration on your vehicle must be current in order for PennDOT to process your request.
Separate applications must be filed for each special registration plate (Personalized, Amateur Radio Operator, Press Photographer).
Personalized registration applicants must have a valid registration plate which the applicant shall retain pending receipt of the requested personalized registration plate. Upon receipt of the personalized registration plate, immediately place the registration plate on the vehicle. The old registration plate is no longer valid.
To check personalized registration plate availability, visit PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.pa.gov/dmv, and select Plate Availability from the list of services under the Online Services heading.
Personalized registration plates will not be reserved until PennDOT receives payment and a completed application and approves your requested registration plate configuration [number(s) and/or letter(s)]. Registration plate requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
NO REFUND of the fee will be issued when an applicant cancels a request after the order is placed with the manufacturer.
Registration renewal
Your registration has expired or expires in the next three months
The fee covers the cost of your personalized registration plate order only and will not renew your vehicle's registration. If your registration has expired or expires in the next three months, include your completed renewal application Form MV-105, "Pennsylvania Registration Renewal Application," or Form MV-140, "Request for Registration," and a separate check or money order in the amount of your registration renewal fee.
Common questions about Form MV-904
Where do I file it?
Mail this application with check or money order to: Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Special Tag Unit, P.O. Box 68293, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8293.
Are there fees?
This form requires a fee.
When is this form not the right one?
Requests for personalized registration plates are restricted to passenger vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, motor homes, or trucks with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 lbs.
Sources
[1] Form MV-904 (5-25), Application for Personalized, Amateur Radio Operator or Press Photographer Registration Plate, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (the Official source link on this page).