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Apply online using your online account

Using your online ‘My account’ provided by DVLA Personalised Registrations you can:

• extend your entitlement for a further year - you’ll get an email reminder two weeks before the certificate runs out (you can also extend for two or three years - see ‘apply by post’ below)
• add or change a nominee
• update your address details
• get a replacement certificate if it’s lost or stolen

• add any previously bought registration numbers held on a certificate of entitlement

Make sure you have a debit or credit card to hand to pay the £25 fee needed to extend your entitlement or to add or change a nominee.

If you need to change your name or your name and address, you’ll need to send your certificate of entitlement to DVLA for amendment (see ‘change of name’ below).

Open an online account

You can create an online ‘My account’ to manage any registration numbers you’ve bought from DVLA Personalised Registrations.

Only the purchaser of a registration number can add that number to an account, as the nominee has no rights to the registration number until it's assigned to their vehicle.

• Apply online using your online account Opens new window

Apply by post

Renewing the certificate (extending the entitlement)

Shortly before the certificate runs out, a reminder is sent to the purchaser to extend the entitlement for one, two or three years.

Complete the certificate and enclose the fee of £25 for one year, £50 for two years or £75 for three years. The extension fee is not refundable.

If the certificate has run out, the purchaser must return it with the appropriate fee and a letter explaining why the application is late. The request will be considered.

Add or change nominee details

You can add or change nominee details at any time by post, or at the same time as the personalised registration is being assigned to the nominee’s vehicle at a DVLA local office.

Complete the certificate with the nominee details and enclose the £25 fee. The purchaser must sign the certificate.

Changes to the purchaser’s name and address due to marriage or divorce etc

The purchaser will need to return the certificate with a covering letter, enclosing any relevant documents to support the changes. There is no charge.

Errors on the certificate of entitlement

The purchaser will need to return the certificate with a covering letter giving details of the errors, for example misspellings. There is no charge.

Replacing a lost or stolen certificate

The purchaser will need to request a replacement certificate in writing. There is no charge.

What to send to DVLA Personalised Registrations

Return the certificate of entitlement with:

• the appropriate section completed and signed by the purchaser
• the appropriate fee if needed - cheques payable to ‘DVLA, Swansea’
• an accompanying letter if needed, signed by the purchaser

Send these to DVLA Personalised Registrations, DVLA, A2, Swansea, SA99 1BW

If you don’t have the certificate of entitlement for any reason, then send a letter of explanation in its place, signed by the purchaser.

When to expect your new certificate of entitlement

A new certificate of entitlement will be posted to the purchaser. Please allow three to four weeks for it to arrive before contacting DVLA Personalised Registrations on 0300 123 0883.

Death of purchaser or nominee

If the purchaser has died, the executor or beneficiary can:

• request to surrender the Certificate of Entitlement and request a refund of the £80 assignment fee
• request to keep the registration number and add their details to the certificate

To make the request in writing, please contact DVLA Personalised Registrations, DVLA, A2, Swansea, SA99 1BW, enclosing the Certificate of Entitlement and a copy of the death certificate and grant of probate.