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LicensePlates Alaska

Obtain a License Plate in Alaska

Eligibility for Alaska License Plates

Alaska requires one rear license plate on all registered vehicles. The Division of Motor Vehicles, under the Department of Administration, handles titling and registration statewide through state offices and contract locations in smaller communities.

  • Residency: Anyone working in Alaska or establishing residency must register within 10 days of entering the state or starting work. A non-resident with valid registration in another state may use the vehicle for up to 60 days. Title applications must be submitted within 30 days of purchase (AS 28.10.108).
  • Vehicle: Passenger cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, motorhomes, and trailers all qualify. Vehicles manufactured after 1981 must meet federal motor vehicle safety standards per 2 AAC 92.020. Commercial vehicles over 8,000 pounds have additional requirements.
  • Applicant: The owner submits a Vehicle Transaction Application (Form V1), proof of liability insurance (50, 000/100,000/$25,000 minimum), and proof of ownership. Odometer disclosure is required for vehicles under 12,000 pounds and less than 20 years old.
  • Plate Categories: Alaska offers specialty plates with legislative eligibility conditions per AS 28.10.421(d), including Disabled Veteran, “Purple Heart,” “Pearl Harbor Survivor,” “Former POW,” “Gold Star Family,” military branch plates (Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Space Force), Alaska National Guard, university plates (UAA, UAF, UAS), “Iditarod Finisher,” “Custom Collector,” and “Historic Vehicle.” Residents aged 65 and older and qualifying disabilities pay no registration fees.

How to Get a License Plate in Alaska?

First-time registration occurs through a state DMV office, a contract office, or by mail to the main DMV office in Anchorage.

  • Bring proof of ownership (title or manufacturer’s certificate of origin, properly assigned to you), a completed Form V1, and proof of Alaska liability insurance. A lien release is needed if a prior loan was paid off.
  • Alaska does not require safety or emissions inspections for registration. The DMV processes title and registration in one counter visit.
  • Pay the registration fee, title fee (15underAS28.10.441), anymunicipalty vehicle registration tax, any recorded lien fee(15). In-person transactions include an additional $10 fee. You leave with plates, stickers, and a registration card.
  • Renewals occur on a biennial cycle. The DMV sends a postcard reminder about two months before expiration. Online renewal is available three months before the expiration date and avoids the $10 additional fee.

The following fees apply in addition to these steps.

How Much Does a License Plate Cost in Alaska?

The basic registration fee is straightforward; the vehicle registration tax imposed by participating boroughs and municipalities is where the total varies.

  • Passenger cars, pickups, vans, and motorhomes under 10,000 pounds pay $100 every two years. Motorcycles cost $60 for two years. Non-commercial trailers cost $30, or $25 extra for permanent registration in eligible areas (AS 28.10.421).
  • MVRT varies by borough. Anchorage, Fairbanks North Star, Kenai Peninsula, and Matanuska-Susitna set their own rates. The DMV fee calculator shows the total for any vehicle type and location.
  • Personalized plates add $30 to the standard base on most plate styles. Cause plates range from $30 (Choose Life, Pro-Family Pro-Choice) to $100 (Alaska Children’s Trust, Veteran Commemorative Plate). Military branch plates cost $30 at first issuance, while “Purple Heart,” “Pearl Harbor Survivor,” “Gold Star Family,” and “Former POW” plates have no fee.
  • Issuing or transferring a title costs $15. Recording a lien adds another $15. An additional $10 fee applies to any in-person transaction, waived if registering online or by mail.

Can I Get a License Plate Online in Alaska?

Alaska supports online renewals and some first-time transactions through DMV online services. Renewals go through the online gateway at online.dmv.alaska.gov, accepting payment and issuing new stickers without an office visit. Personalized plates can be ordered through the same portal. Title and first-time registration applications can be initiated via the DMV portal on ServiceNow at alaskanow.servicenowservices.com.

For in-person service, state DMV offices operate in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, Wasilla, and several other cities. Contract offices serve smaller communities statewide. The DMV office locator lists hours and addresses.

Mail transactions are sent to the main office in Anchorage:

  • Completed Form V1, signed in ink
  • Original proof of ownership (title or MCO)
  • Payment by check or money order
  • Lien release, if applicable

If the DMV can process your renewal online, take advantage of it; you’ll save $10 on the additional fee and avoid an office visit entirely.

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