Does Mississippi require a front license plate?

No. Mississippi tags go on the rear of the vehicle, at least 12 inches above the ground.

What does a Mississippi plate number look like?

Three letters and three numbers, like ABC 123, on the white magnolia plate.

What do I do with my Mississippi tag when I sell my car?

Take it off when you hand over the vehicle and turn it in to your county tax collector. Keep a copy of the front and back of the signed title.

How long do I have to get a tag after buying a car in Mississippi?

Thirty business days from the date of purchase. If you bought it outside your home county, you have 48 hours to get it home, then the same 30 business days.

Can I get a VIN from a Mississippi tag?

Yes. Enter the tag number with Mississippi selected and the lookup returns the VIN of the vehicle it is registered to, with the year, make, model and trim.

Can I find the owner of a Mississippi tag?

Not through a public lookup. Owner details in Mississippi vehicle records are protected by the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act and released only for purposes the law allows, such as by court order or to an insurer handling a claim.

Mississippi License Plate & Tag Lookup

Enter a Mississippi tag number to get the vehicle’s VIN, year, make, model and trim.

In Mississippi, plates are “tags,” issued by the Department of Revenue and handed out by county tax collectors. A Mississippi tag is registered to both the vehicle and the owner, so it cannot be moved to another car. Cars carry one tag, on the rear.

Mississippi tag to VIN

A Mississippi tagnumber points to one current registration, and the registration records the vehicle’s 17-character VIN. Enter the tag above to get the VIN with the year, make, model, trim, body and engine. It is the quickest way to get the VIN of a car you are not standing next to: one in a listing, one you are quoting a repair for, or your own when the title is in a drawer somewhere.

Mississippi license plate formats

Standard passenger plates use these formats. Personalized, specialty, commercial and motorcycle plates follow their own rules, and every format works in the lookup.

Format	What it is
ABC 123	Three letters and three numbers on the white magnolia plate issued since January 2024, with letter blocks assigned by county.

Mississippi issues one plate, for the rear of the vehicle.

Who issues plates in Mississippi

Plates and registrations in Mississippi come from the Mississippi Department of Revenue, and people go in person to county tax collector offices. Plate Decoder is an independent service and is not affiliated with the DOR or any other government agency.

Temporary tags in Mississippi

Dealers can issue a temporary tag valid for 7 days from the date of purchase, mainly so out-of-state buyers can drive home. Mississippi residents must register within 30 business days of purchase.

Personalized and specialty plates

Personalized plates are ordered through the county tax collector when you register, and cost an extra $33 to $53.

Tags can’t move to a new car

Because a Mississippi tag belongs to both the car and the owner, you can’t put your old tag on a new vehicle. When either changes, the old tag goes back to the county tax collector.

What a Mississippiplate lookup can and can’t show

You get the vehicle: VIN, year, make, model, trim, body and engine. You do not get the person. See what a plate lookup shows for the full list.

What we don’t show, and why

No owner names, addresses, phone numbers or photos. Owner details in DMV records are protected by the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, and looking someone up out of curiosity is not a purpose it allows. Any site that promises the owner of a plate for a few dollars is either breaking that law or not going to deliver.

Who can get owner records, and what to do instead

FAQ

Mississippi plate lookup questions

Does Mississippi require a front license plate?: No. Mississippi tags go on the rear of the vehicle, at least 12 inches above the ground.
What does a Mississippi plate number look like?: Three letters and three numbers, like ABC 123, on the white magnolia plate.
What do I do with my Mississippi tag when I sell my car?: Take it off when you hand over the vehicle and turn it in to your county tax collector. Keep a copy of the front and back of the signed title.
How long do I have to get a tag after buying a car in Mississippi?: Thirty business days from the date of purchase. If you bought it outside your home county, you have 48 hours to get it home, then the same 30 business days.
Can I get a VIN from a Mississippi tag?: Yes. Enter the tag number with Mississippi selected and the lookup returns the VIN of the vehicle it is registered to, with the year, make, model and trim.
Can I find the owner of a Mississippi tag?: Not through a public lookup. Owner details in Mississippi vehicle records are protected by the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act and released only for purposes the law allows, such as by court order or to an insurer handling a claim.