Texas Form VTR-264 is the Application for Replacement License Plate(s), Symbol, Tab(s), and/or Registration Sticker that vehicle owners file with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles through their county tax assessor-collector office to replace plates, stickers, symbols, or tabs that are lost, stolen, mutilated, or otherwise unusable. The form is currently published in its 09/2024 revision, and you should confirm that revision date in the lower left corner before submitting it.
Driving without valid plates or a current registration sticker is a violation of Texas Transportation Code §504.943 and §502.473, so a delay in replacing them can mean a citation, a fine of up to $200, and a possible inspection hold the next time you renew. The TxDMV processes more than 1.6 million replacement plate and sticker requests every year across 254 county tax offices, and a meaningful share are rejected on the first pass for missing signatures, wrong VINs, or missing police report numbers.
- 📝 How to complete every box on VTR-264 line by line, with sample entries
- 🚗 What documents to gather before you start, including ID, proof of registration, and police reports
- 💵 The exact replacement fees, payment methods, and county add-ons you will pay
- 📬 How to file by mail, in person at your county tax office, or online through the Texas.gov portal
- ⚠️ The most common mistakes that get a VTR-264 rejected and how to avoid them
What VTR-264 Is and Who Must File It
VTR-264 is the official TxDMV replacement application that lets a recorded vehicle owner request a new metal license plate, a replacement registration sticker, a replacement symbol (such as a disabled person symbol), or a replacement validation tab when the original is lost, stolen, damaged, illegible, or never received in the mail. The form is authorized under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 504, which governs license plates, and Chapter 502, which governs registration. The county tax assessor-collector acts as the TxDMV’s agent and accepts the form on the department’s behalf.
Any person or entity listed as the recorded owner on the Texas vehicle record may file VTR-264. That includes individual drivers, married couples who co-own a vehicle, leasing companies, dealers, fleet operators, and trust or LLC owners. An agent may sign on the owner’s behalf if a Power of Attorney (Form VTR-271) is attached.
The form is required whenever you cannot legally display the plate or sticker that TxDMV originally issued. Common triggers include a plate falling off on the highway, a stolen pair of plates after a break-in, a sticker that peeled off the windshield, a specialty plate that arrived bent, or a disabled person symbol that faded beyond recognition. If both plates and the sticker need replacement, one VTR-264 covers all of them in a single filing.
VTR-264 does not transfer ownership, change a plate design, or renew expired registration. For a different plate type, you would file Form VTR-905-A for plate transfers, and for a fresh registration cycle you would use the standard registration renewal channel rather than this replacement application.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every item below before you open the form, because a missing piece will either stop the county clerk at the counter or force a mail-in packet to bounce back to you. Each item below maps to a specific box on VTR-264, and skipping any of them is the most common reason replacements stall.
- Government-issued photo ID. Texas requires a valid driver license, Texas ID, U.S. passport, or military ID under Transportation Code §521.001. Without it, the county clerk cannot verify you are the recorded owner.
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The 17-character VIN appears on your insurance card, title, and dashboard. A wrong VIN sends the request to the wrong vehicle record.
- Current license plate number. Even if the plate is lost, the number is on your registration receipt and insurance card. The clerk uses it to pull the plate inventory record.
- Proof of current registration. A copy of the current registration receipt confirms the vehicle is legally registered. Replacement is denied for vehicles whose registration has lapsed.
- Police report or case number (if stolen). A theft replacement requires the law enforcement agency name, officer name, and case number entered in Section 4.
- Proof of insurance meeting Texas minimums. Texas Transportation Code §601.051 sets 30/60/25 liability minimums, and the county will refuse the replacement without it.
- Replacement fee payment. The state fee is $6.00 for plates and $6.50 for stickers, plus a small county processing fee that varies by location.
- Power of Attorney (VTR-271) if someone else signs. Without it, the clerk will reject any signature that does not match the recorded owner’s name.
- Odometer reading. Some counties ask for it during a replacement to confirm vehicle identity, especially for fleet vehicles.
- Email address or phone number. Counties increasingly text or email a pickup notice when the new plates arrive.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official version of Form VTR-264 lives on the TxDMV website under the “Forms” library. Always download the current PDF rather than reusing an old paper copy from a glove box, because TxDMV updates field labels and barcodes on a rolling basis and outdated forms are scanned into the system as exceptions.
You can also pick up a printed copy at any county tax assessor-collector office. Counties keep a small stack near the registration window, and the clerk will hand you one along with a clipboard and pen. Some counties, including Harris County, Travis County, and Bexar County, allow you to start the replacement online through their local portals before completing the paper VTR-264 at the counter.
For replacements that do not require a police report (lost or never-received plates and stickers), you can also begin the process through the Texas.gov vehicle services portal, which routes the request to your home county. The portal generates a digital VTR-264 equivalent on the back end, but mailing or in-person filers must still complete the paper form.
If you use assistive technology, TxDMV publishes the form as a tagged, accessible PDF, and you can request a paper copy by mail by contacting TxDMV at 1-888-368-4689. Print the form on plain white 8.5-by-11 paper using black ink, because color printing or unusual paper sizes can cause the county scanner to flag the document for manual review.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out VTR-264 Line by Line
VTR-264 is a single page divided into seven labeled sections plus a signature block. Complete the form in black or blue ink, print clearly in capital letters, and avoid white-out — counties reject any form with correction fluid and require a fresh page instead. The sections below walk through every field in the order they appear on the 09/2024 revision.
Section 1 — Vehicle Information
What this section asks in plain English. Section 1 collects the basic identity of the vehicle that lost its plate, sticker, symbol, or tab. It is how TxDMV pulls the right record from the registration database.
How to fill it out. Enter the Vehicle Identification Number, year, make, body style, and current license plate number exactly as they appear on the registration receipt. Use all capital letters, no dashes in the VIN, and write the year as a four-digit number such as 2021.
Example. Maria Lopez writes 1HGCM82633A123456 in the VIN box, 2021 for year, HOND for make, 4DR for body style, and KLM-1234 for plate number.
Nuance. If the VIN on your insurance card does not match the VIN on the title, always trust the title. Insurance cards sometimes drop a digit, and TxDMV cross-checks the title record.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers often write the VIN in lowercase or insert dashes, and the county scanner reads the entry as invalid. The clerk then pulls the form for manual entry, adding two to three weeks to processing.
Misconception. Some filers think the body style is optional because the VIN already encodes it. It is not optional, and a blank body style triggers a rejection notice by mail.
Section 2 — Owner Information
What this section asks in plain English. Section 2 confirms who legally owns the vehicle and where the new plates or sticker should be mailed.
How to fill it out. Print the recorded owner’s full legal name, mailing address, city, state, and ZIP code. Include a daytime phone number and email if asked.
Example. Carlos Ramirez enters CARLOS T. RAMIREZ, 4501 ALAMO DR, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78201, and a phone number of (210) 555-0142.
Nuance. A P.O. Box is acceptable for mailing, but TxDMV still wants a physical residence address on the underlying registration record. If the two differ, list the P.O. Box here and update the residence address through Form VTR-146.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers list a nickname or a spouse’s name when the spouse is not on the title. The plates ship under the wrong name and must be reissued, costing another $6.00.
Misconception. Many filers think they can use a work address to receive replacement plates faster. The county will only mail to the address of record, and an updated address must be filed first.
Section 3 — Reason for Replacement
What this section asks in plain English. Section 3 is a checkbox list that tells TxDMV why you need a replacement. The reason determines the fee and whether a police report is required.
How to fill it out. Check exactly one box: Lost, Stolen, Mutilated, Illegible, or Never Received. If more than one applies, check the most serious reason, because Stolen requires extra documentation.
Example. Janet Williams checks Mutilated because her windshield sticker peeled and tore when she replaced a cracked windshield.
Nuance. “Never Received” is reserved for plates that TxDMV mailed but you never got. Use it only after waiting at least 30 days from the registration date, because USPS sometimes takes that long to deliver specialty plates.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers check both Lost and Stolen to be safe. The county clerk treats it as Stolen and asks for a police report, which delays processing if you do not have one.
Misconception. Some owners think Mutilated requires returning the damaged item. You should bring the damaged plate or sticker if you have it, but a missing damaged item does not automatically downgrade the request to Lost.
Section 4 — Theft Information (Required If Stolen)
What this section asks in plain English. When you check Stolen in Section 3, Section 4 captures the police report details so TxDMV can flag the old plate number as stolen in the TCIC stolen plate database.
How to fill it out. Enter the law enforcement agency name, the reporting officer’s full name, the case or incident number, and the date the report was filed in MM/DD/YYYY format.
Example. Carlos Ramirez writes SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPT, OFFICER J. NGUYEN, case number 2026-014782, and date 04/12/2026.
Nuance. A campus police, transit police, or constable report counts as a law enforcement report under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2.12. You do not have to file a duplicate report with city police.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers leave this blank and check Stolen anyway. The form is rejected on the spot, and you must return with a police report number before the county will issue a replacement.
Misconception. Some owners believe a stolen-plate replacement is free. The $6.00 plate fee still applies, although the new plate number is reassigned to prevent further misuse of the stolen number.
Section 5 — Items Being Replaced
What this section asks in plain English. Section 5 is a checklist that tells TxDMV exactly what to print and ship. You may check more than one box.
How to fill it out. Check the appropriate boxes for License Plate(s), Registration Sticker, Symbol, or Validation Tab. If both front and rear plates are missing, write 2 in the quantity field for plates.
Example. Maria Lopez checks License Plate(s) and writes 2 because both her front and rear plates were stolen.
Nuance. Specialty plates such as university, military, or disabled veteran plates require an extra notation in this section so the right design ships, not a generic plate.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers check License Plate(s) but forget the quantity, and the county ships only one. They then have to file a second VTR-264 and pay another fee.
Misconception. Filers think a sticker replacement automatically renews registration. It does not. Replacement only reprints the same expiration month and year that was already on file.
Section 6 — Statement of Fact
What this section asks in plain English. Section 6 is a sworn statement that the information you gave is true and that the original item is genuinely lost, stolen, or unusable.
How to fill it out. Read the printed statement carefully. The act of signing in Section 7 affirms Section 6, so no separate entry is needed in this block unless your county adds a local affidavit line.
Example. Janet Williams reads the statement and confirms her sticker is genuinely mutilated before signing below.
Nuance. Section 6 is a sworn statement under Texas Penal Code §37.10, the tampering with a governmental record statute. A false statement here is a state jail felony.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers initial Section 6 and forget to sign Section 7, thinking the initial is enough. The form is unsigned legally and gets returned by mail.
Misconception. Some owners think the statement only applies to stolen plates. It applies to every replacement reason, including a sticker that peeled off in a car wash.
Section 7 — Signature of Owner or Agent
What this section asks in plain English. Section 7 is where the recorded owner (or an authorized agent) signs and dates the form.
How to fill it out. Sign in cursive on the signature line, print the same name below, and date the form in MM/DD/YYYY format. If an agent signs, attach Form VTR-271.
Example. Carlos Ramirez signs Carlos T. Ramirez, prints CARLOS T. RAMIREZ, and dates the form 04/15/2026.
Nuance. Both spouses must sign if both names appear on the title separated by AND. If the names are separated by OR, only one signature is required.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers print their name on the signature line instead of signing in cursive. The county scanner flags the form as unsigned and returns it.
Misconception. Some filers believe a digital signature pasted into a PDF is acceptable. TxDMV requires a wet signature on paper unless the filing channel is the Texas.gov portal, which uses its own e-signature workflow.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how different filers complete VTR-264 from start to finish. Each one walks a named person through every major section so you can see what an accepted form looks like.
Scenario 1 — Maria Lopez, Lost Single Plate
Maria parked at a grocery store in Austin and discovered her rear plate gone when she returned. She has no reason to believe it was stolen, so she checks Lost and files at the Travis County Tax Office the next morning.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1 — VIN | 1HGCM82633A123456 |
| Section 1 — Year/Make/Body | 2021 / HOND / 4DR |
| Section 1 — Plate Number | KLM-1234 |
| Section 2 — Owner Name | MARIA E. LOPEZ |
| Section 2 — Address | 812 BARTON SPRINGS RD, AUSTIN, TX 78704 |
| Section 3 — Reason | Lost checked |
| Section 4 — Theft Info | Left blank |
| Section 5 — Items | License Plate(s), quantity 1 |
| Section 7 — Signature/Date | Maria E. Lopez / 04/22/2026 |
Scenario 2 — Carlos Ramirez, Stolen Pair of Plates
Carlos came out of his San Antonio apartment to find both plates pried off his pickup. He files a police report with SAPD, then drives to the Bexar County Tax Office with the report number in hand.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1 — VIN | 1FTFW1ET5DFC10312 |
| Section 1 — Year/Make/Body | 2019 / FORD / PK |
| Section 1 — Plate Number | MTX-7720 |
| Section 2 — Owner Name | CARLOS T. RAMIREZ |
| Section 2 — Address | 4501 ALAMO DR, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78201 |
| Section 3 — Reason | Stolen checked |
| Section 4 — Theft Info | SAPD / OFFICER J. NGUYEN / 2026-014782 / 04/12/2026 |
| Section 5 — Items | License Plate(s), quantity 2 |
| Section 7 — Signature/Date | Carlos T. Ramirez / 04/15/2026 |
Scenario 3 — Janet Williams, Mutilated Registration Sticker
Janet replaced a cracked windshield in Houston, and the registration sticker tore in half during removal. She mails her VTR-264 to the Harris County Tax Office along with a check.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1 — VIN | 5YJ3E1EA7KF317821 |
| Section 1 — Year/Make/Body | 2019 / TESL / 4DR |
| Section 1 — Plate Number | PRX-8842 |
| Section 2 — Owner Name | JANET R. WILLIAMS |
| Section 2 — Address | 2210 KIRBY DR, HOUSTON, TX 77019 |
| Section 3 — Reason | Mutilated checked |
| Section 4 — Theft Info | Left blank |
| Section 5 — Items | Registration Sticker |
| Section 7 — Signature/Date | Janet R. Williams / 04/30/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
VTR-264 can be filed through three channels: in person, by mail, and (for non-theft replacements) online. Each channel has its own fee structure, processing time, and proof of filing, and choosing the right channel matters for how quickly your replacement arrives.
In person at the county tax assessor-collector office. Bring the signed VTR-264, your photo ID, proof of registration, proof of insurance, and any required attachments to the county tax office where the vehicle is registered. The state fee is $6.00 for plates and $6.50 for stickers, plus a county processing fee that ranges from roughly $1.00 to $4.75. Counties accept cash, check, money order, debit, and most credit cards (with a small convenience fee). The clerk hands you a stamped receipt that serves as your temporary proof of filing, and most plates are mailed within 14 to 21 business days.
By mail. Mail the signed form, a copy of your photo ID, a copy of your insurance, any required police report, and a check or money order made payable to your county tax assessor-collector. Find the correct mailing address on your county’s website, such as the Harris County Tax Office for Houston-area filers. Processing typically runs three to five weeks because the form must be data-entered manually. Keep your USPS Certified Mail receipt as proof of filing, since this is the only record you will have until the new plate or sticker arrives.
Online through the Texas.gov portal. For lost, mutilated, or never-received items (not theft), you can file electronically through the Texas.gov vehicle services portal. Pay by credit card or e-check, and a $1.00 to $2.00 portal fee applies on top of the state and county fees. You receive an instant email confirmation as proof of filing, and replacements typically ship in seven to fourteen business days. Theft replacements are excluded from the online channel because the police report must be reviewed by a clerk in person or by mail.
What Happens After You File
Once the county accepts your VTR-264, the request is queued in the TxDMV Registration and Titling System. A clerk verifies the owner of record, the registration status, and any flags on the plate number. If everything matches, the request moves to the TxDMV plate manufacturing facility in Huntsville, where new plates are produced at the Texas Correctional Industries plate plant.
Replacement stickers ship from the county tax office directly, usually within five to ten business days. Plates take longer because they are physically manufactured. While you wait, the receipt or online confirmation acts as your temporary authority to drive the vehicle, but a peace officer may still ask additional questions during a traffic stop. Carry the receipt in the glove box.
If anything is wrong with your form, the county mails a rejection letter or calls the phone number listed in Section 2. Common reasons include a missing signature, a VIN mismatch, expired registration, or a missing police report. You have 30 days to correct and resubmit before the request is closed and your fee may be partially forfeited under county policy.
When the new plates arrive, install the front plate on the front bumper and the rear plate on the rear bumper as required by Texas Transportation Code §504.943. Affix the new sticker to the lower left corner of the inside of the windshield. Driving with the new plate but without installing both plates is itself a separate violation.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
The errors below come up over and over at county counters and in the TxDMV exception queue. Each one has a direct consequence that adds days or weeks to your replacement.
- Skipping the body style box. The form is rejected for incomplete vehicle information.
- Writing the VIN with dashes or spaces. The scanner cannot match the VIN to a record, and the request goes to manual review.
- Checking both Lost and Stolen. The county defaults to Stolen and demands a police report you may not have.
- Forgetting to write a quantity in Section 5 for two plates. Only one plate ships, forcing a second filing.
- Using correction fluid. The form is rejected on sight, and you must reprint a clean copy.
- Printing the signature instead of signing in cursive. The form is treated as unsigned.
- Missing spouse signature when names are joined by AND. The form is returned for the second signature.
- Filing without proof of insurance. The county refuses to process the replacement.
- Filing while registration is expired. Replacement is denied until the registration is renewed.
- Mailing without certified tracking. You have no proof of filing if the envelope is lost.
- Using an outdated revision of VTR-264. Old field labels confuse the scanner and trigger manual entry.
- Listing a P.O. Box as the only address with no residence on file. The plates may ship, but the underlying record is flagged.
Do’s and Don’ts
The quick list below captures the habits that keep a VTR-264 moving and the ones that stall it.
Do’s
- Do download the latest VTR-264 from TxDMV every time, because revisions roll out without notice.
- Do print in capital letters with black or blue ink, because the county scanner reads block capitals best.
- Do attach a clear copy of your driver license, because the clerk needs to confirm identity instantly.
- Do keep a photo of the completed form on your phone, because it is your fastest reference if the county calls.
- Do file in person if you need plates fast, because in-person filings skip the mailroom queue.
- Do report stolen plates to police first, because you cannot complete Section 4 without a case number.
Don’ts
- Don’t sign before reviewing every section, because corrections after signing require a fresh form.
- Don’t let registration lapse before filing, because the county will refuse the replacement.
- Don’t paste a digital signature unless filing through Texas.gov, because TxDMV requires a wet signature on paper.
- Don’t mail cash, because counties reject cash by mail and the envelope is destroyed.
- Don’t assume both plates ship automatically, because Section 5 controls the quantity.
- Don’t throw away your receipt, because it is your only legal authority to drive while you wait.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most owners file VTR-264 on their own, but dealers, fleet managers, and elderly owners sometimes use a title service company. The trade-offs below help you decide.
Pros of filing on your own
- You save the $25 to $75 a title service charges per filing.
- You control the timing and can walk in the same day.
- You handle the documents directly, reducing the chance of a lost ID copy.
- You learn the process for future replacements.
- You avoid sharing personal information with a third party.
Cons of filing on your own
- You must take time off work to visit the county office.
- You bear the risk of a rejection if you check the wrong box.
- You handle police report logistics yourself in theft cases.
- You must track the mail-back for replacements.
- You absorb any reprint fees if the form is wrong.
Pros of filing with a title service or dealer
- The agent knows the local county quirks.
- Errors are corrected before the form leaves their office.
- Fleet operators can batch dozens of VTR-264s at once.
- The service files Form VTR-271 for you when needed.
- They often deliver plates to your door.
Cons of filing with a title service or dealer
- You pay a service fee on top of state and county fees.
- You hand over identity documents to a third party.
- You depend on their schedule, not yours.
- You may not see the form before it is signed.
- Some services delay batch filings to fill a courier run.
Filing by Mail vs. Online
The table below highlights the differences for owners deciding between mail and online filing of VTR-264.
| Feature | Mail vs. Online VTR-264 |
|---|---|
| Speed | Mail takes 3–5 weeks, online takes 7–14 business days. |
| Theft replacements allowed | Mail yes, online no. |
| Payment options | Mail: check or money order; Online: card or e-check. |
| Proof of filing | Mail: certified receipt; Online: instant email confirmation. |
| Signature | Mail: wet signature; Online: e-signature. |
| Extra fees | Mail: postage; Online: $1–$2 portal fee. |
| Ideal filer | Mail: rural owners; Online: urban owners with non-theft replacements. |
FAQs
Is VTR-264 the same form for plates and stickers?
Yes. A single VTR-264 covers plates, registration stickers, symbols, and validation tabs in one filing as long as you check the correct boxes in Section 5.
Do I need a police report for a lost plate?
No. A police report is only required when you check Stolen in Section 3. Lost, mutilated, illegible, and never-received plates do not require one.
Can I keep my old plate number?
Yes. TxDMV reissues the same plate number for lost, mutilated, illegible, and never-received replacements. Stolen plates always receive a new number to prevent misuse.
How much does VTR-264 cost?
No single price fits all. The state fee is $6.00 per plate and $6.50 for stickers, plus county processing fees of roughly $1.00 to $4.75 depending on the county.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in Section 2?
No to both unless that name matches the title. Always use the exact name printed on the Texas vehicle title and current registration receipt.
Can my spouse sign Section 7 for me?
Yes, but only if the spouse is also listed on the title or signs under a completed Form VTR-271 Power of Attorney.
Do I check Lost or Never Received if my plates never arrived?
No to Lost. Use Never Received if TxDMV mailed the plates but they never reached you, after waiting at least 30 days from the registration date.
Can I drive while waiting for replacement plates?
Yes, with the county receipt as temporary authority, but you must still display whatever plate you have. Driving with no plates at all violates Transportation Code §504.943.
Do I need to surrender my damaged plate?
Yes when possible. Bring the damaged plate or sticker to the county office. If the original is gone, the Mutilated or Lost checkbox covers the gap.
Can a leasing company file VTR-264?
Yes. The leasing company is the recorded owner on the title and may sign Section 7 directly or authorize a fleet agent through Form VTR-271.
Is online filing available for stolen plates?
No. The Texas.gov portal excludes theft replacements because the police report must be reviewed by a clerk. Stolen-plate filings must be made in person or by mail.
Can I expedite a VTR-264?
No. TxDMV does not offer paid expedite for replacement plates. The fastest path is to file in person at the county office on a weekday morning.
What if I move before the plates arrive?
Yes, you can update your mailing address. File Form VTR-146 before the plates ship and notify the county clerk who took your VTR-264.
Does VTR-264 renew my registration?
No. It only replaces the physical plate, sticker, symbol, or tab. Registration renewal is a separate transaction handled through the standard renewal channel.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Texas Form VTR-262 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Form VTR-271 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Form VTR-272 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Form VTR-441 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form REG 156 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas TDLR Tow Truck Operator License (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Delaware DMV Application for Duplicate Title (Form MV213) + FAQs