Handle driver's licenses, license plates, and disabled person placards in New York

After a loved one’s passing, you may need to deal with items such as driver’s licenses, license plates, and handicap placards that have specific rules governing how they are discarded. Because some of these items can be used toward identity theft, it is important you follow these rules. 

Driver’s License

Please mail a copy of the death certificate and a photocopy of the license or ID (if you have it) to the DMV. This will prevent further mailings or identity theft. 

DMV License Production Bureau

P.O. Box 2688 ESP

Albany, NY 12220-0668

License Plates

You can mail your plates back to the NYS DMV office, OR you may drop them off at a dropbox, or at a NYS DMV office.

To do so by mail, follow these steps:

  1. Remove plates and stickers

    This includes the plate frames and fasteners - we will not accept plates with these attached. Destroy the registration and inspection stickers from your windshield. Do not give your plates to another person unless that person will surrender the plates for you.

  2. Complete the PD-7 application

    You must complete the Plate Surrender Application (PDF) (PD-7) for each set of plates you are surrendering.

  3. Mail the application with your plates in an envelope (no boxes) to:

    NYS DMV

    6 Empire State Plaza

    Room B240

    Albany, NY 12228

We use the mail postmark date as the date that you surrendered your plates.  To be notified by the US Postal Service that we received your plates, send them by registered or certified mail, and request a return receipt. We will mail you your FS-6T receipt.

It may also be possible to request a refund of the deceased individual’s registration fee. DMV will issue the refund to the name of the estate. To request a refund:

  • surrender the vehicle plates at a DMV office and request a ‘transfer receipt’, not a ‘refund receipt’

  • have the executor of the deceased's estate send the following items to the address listed on the request for refund:

    • a completed and signed Request for Refund (PDF) (MV-215), with "deceased" written on the form

    • a photocopy of the death certificate

    • the transfer receipt

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