How Do You Replace Lost License Plates in Illinois?
Replacement plates cost 6 dollars for one plate and 9 dollars for a pair, a sticker costs 20 dollars, and a single lost plate keeps its number, but stolen sets and single-plate requests must be made at a Secretary of State facility.
The Illinois rule in one table
| Fee, single plate | 6 dollars | | Fee, pair | 9 dollars | | Fee, sticker | 20 dollars | | Fee, single plus sticker | 26 dollars | | Fee, both plus sticker | 29 dollars | | Channels, general | In person at a Secretary of State facility, VSD 190 by mail, or request online | | Facility-only cases | A new set requested because the original set was stolen, or any single-plate request | | Single lost, keep number | Keep the remaining plate, submit the form and fee, new plate with the same number ordered | | Both lost | New plate number, unless a specific request is made to keep the old number |
What makes Illinois different
Illinois is the facility-only narrowing state for replacement plates. The general rule offers three channels, in person, VSD 190 by mail, or online request, but the narrowing note takes two cases out of that general rule: a new set requested because the original set was stolen, and any single-plate request, must be made at a Secretary of State facility. The second limb is not limited to stolen single plates. It covers any single-plate request, and softening it to stolen-single only would misstate the rule.
The second Illinois difference is the keep your number mechanics. One plate lost and the same number wanted means keeping the remaining plate, submitting the plate and sticker replacement form and fee, and a new plate with the same number is ordered. Both plates lost means a new plate number, unless a specific request is made to keep the old number. Illinois law requires an immediate application for a duplicate when evidence of registration is lost, mutilated, or illegible, and prompt notice plus application when it is stolen.
The process, step by step
- Decide single plate, pair, sticker, or a combination, and check the fee: 6, 9, 20, 26, or 29 dollars.
- If the original set was stolen, or if this is any single-plate request, go to a Secretary of State facility. The general mail and online channels do not cover those two cases.
- For one lost plate with the same number wanted, keep the remaining plate and submit the form and fee.
- For both plates lost, expect a new plate number unless you make a specific request to keep the old number.
Related Illinois guides
See Transfer License Plates in Illinois and Temporary Registration Permits in Illinois, and the full hub at Illinois Admin Process Directory.
Source
Fees, channels, facility-only note, and keep-number rules on this page come from the Illinois Secretary of State: Replacement License Plates page. Facts verified 2026-10-26.
This page explains how the process works and what the official rules say. It is general information, not legal advice. For a dispute about your specific situation, talk to a lawyer or your state agency.
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