The Erie County Clerk’s Office provides a secure procedure for motorists to surrender vehicle license plates without incurring an insurance lapse, fine, or suspension.
Drop-Off Option
Complete a plate surrender envelope with the required information and submit it in a secure drop box at any Auto Bureau or Mobile Auto Bureau location. You will be mailed the FS6T receipt to provide to your insurance carrier.
Please bring your own pen. Plate surrender envelopes are available at all drop-off locations. This service is available during regular operating hours.
Mail-In Option
If you cannot visit an office, you may surrender your plates by mail:
- Place both plates in an envelope along with your current mailing address.
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Mail to:
Erie County Auto Bureau
170 Pearl Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
The postmark date will serve as the official surrender date. For confirmation, send plates by registered or certified mail with a return receipt requested.
You will receive the FS6T receipt within 7–10 days. If you do not receive it, contact ErieCountyClerkOffice@erie.gov.
Returning Old Plates After Ordering Replacement Plates
If you have ordered replacement plates, do not return the old plates. Instead:
- Destroy the old plates so they cannot be reused.
- Separate the plates and place them in your recycling bin during different weeks.
- Use a permanent marker or other method to deface the plate numbers.
Failure to destroy old plates could make you responsible for traffic tickets or fines issued to those plates.
For a statewide list of local recycling coordinators, visit the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation website.
For a statewide list of local recycling coordinators, visit the website of the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation.