We've attempted to collect information on which states have some kind of
Gold Star Family license plate. Several states have legislation in progress
and we have noted that where possible. Be sure to read the details
link as some plates have additional documentation requirements in addition
to the application, like form DD 1300, Report of Casualty or an additional
affirmation form attesting to your relationship to the fallen soldier.
Those qualifying for the Gold Star plate vary by state from mothers only
to extended family members. Check the qualifications carefully.
Our research is not exhaustive so if you have additional details of pending legislation
please .
If you are interested in introducing legislation for a Gold Star Family
license plate in your own state see my
GSF license plate kit.
I recommend you try to make the qualification requirements as wide as
possible to get the greatest number of plates on the road. Using the
DOD
qualifications for wearing the Gold Star Pin will give your legislator a
predefined group and ease his work.
Maine, the last state to authorize a Gold Star Family license
plate did so on June 7, 2011 leaving only DC without a Gold Star
Family license plate. There is no legislative activity on this issue in DC.
At least one U S Territory, Guam, has a GSF plates.
Form DD 1300 is issued only to the next of kin specified by the deceased
on his or her emergency notification form upon entering the military. You
can obtain a copy of DD 1300 from
eVetRecs if you are the next of kin. The next of kin can be any of the
following: surviving spouse that has not remarried, father, mother, son,
daughter, sister, or brother.
Unfortunately many states have made this form a requirement for obtaining
their plates but the form is not generally available to all relatives
entitled to the plate. If you know the next of kin or the casualty officer
try to get a copy from them. If you can't get a copy of DD 1300 see if your
state authorities will accept alternate proof that you are related to the
deceased.
These government sites tend to be reorganized frequently and the links
below go bad. If you find a bad link please
let us know. To find the
missing information while on the state's web site use their search function
to search for "gold star" or "gold star license plate" which will usually
find what you want.
| |
Gold Star
Plate Available |
More Information |
|
| AL |
 |
Details
Where to Apply |
HB715 became law on 5/14/09. Members of
the immediate family of a person who has died while on active duty
in any branch of the U.S. military. |
| AK |
 |
Details1
Details2
Application |
Spouse,
parent, guardian, sibling, or dependent of a member of the United
Stated armed forces killed in the line of duty. |
| AZ |
 |
Details
Special Plate Application Form 96-0143
or
Order Online |
SB 1083
was signed by the Governor on 6/6/08. Spouse or (by adoption or
blood) a child, parent, brother or sister of a person who lost
his/her life while on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. |
| AR |
 |
Details
Request for Plate |
HB1842 was signed by the governor on 3/27/09. Spouse and parents
only. Spouse or parent of a member of the armed forces of the
United States, killed in a conflict recognized by the United States
Department of Defense (in theater death not necessarily in combat
-ed), and who has received a Gold Star Lapel Button issed by the
United States Department of Defense. |
| CA |
 |
Details
Application |
SB1455
signed by the governor on 9/26/08. Plate issued by Dept of Veterans
Affairs. Funds have been raised and the plates will be available on
11/30/10. Qualified family members whose relative lost their life
in the line of duty while serving in the Armed Forces of the United
States (U.S.) during one of the following:
Wartime; An international terrorist attack that has been recognized
by the U.S. Secretary of Defense as an attack against the U.S., or
to a foreign nation friendly to the U.S.; Military operations while
serving outside the U.S., including commonwealths, territories, and
possessions of the U.S.; Personnel assigned to a force engaged in a
peacekeeping operation authorized by the United Nations Security
Council. |
| CA |
 |
Veterans Plates
GS
Mothers Decal
GS
Wives Decal |
A Veterans Plate with
a Gold Star Mother or Gold Star Wives decal is available. |
| CO |
 |
Details
Application |
Called "Fallen Service Member License Plate". There
are 5 different versions of the plate, one for each branch of the
military. Scroll down on the Details page to see the various plates.
Current or past spouse, child, sibling, grandparent or parent of a
service member who died in the line of duty while serving in the
armed forces while deployed to a combat zone. |
| CT |
 |
Details
Application |
The $10 plate fee was eliminated 7/2/08.
This plate serves as a
memorial for Connecticut service members who were killed in the line
of duty. This plate is available to their immediate family
members. Immediate family consists of spouse, mother, father,
brother, sister, child, grandmother or grandfather. |
| DC |
No |
Iraq 5
Afghanistan 3 |
No current legislation as of 12/10/10. |
| DE |
 |
Application |
Details are on the second page of the application. Widow or
widower, mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, adoptive mother,
adoptive father, foster mother, foster father, son, daughter,
stepson, stepdaughter, adoptive son, adoptive daughter, brother,
sister, half brother and half sister. of a servicemember that died
while serving in the military. |
| FL |
 |
Details
Application |
The Gold Star Family plate is at the bottom of the Details page. As
of 10/1/08 the requirement that the deceased service member be a
resident of Florida at the time of death for the family to qualify
for the GSF plate has been removed. |
| GA |
 |
Details
- Under Military Veterans, Gold Star Family. |
Apply at local county tag office. Spouse and parents only.
HB 1012 was introduced on 1/28/10 to entitle siblings, children,
step-parents and step-grandparents to
qualify for the GS plate. Passed by House on 3/24/10. Passed Senate
on 4/27/10. Spouse, mother, father, sibling, or step-parent of
service members who have been killed in action while serving in the
armed forces of the United States. |
| HI |
 |
Details
Application |
HB1 (companion Senate bill
SB883) was introduced on 1/20/11. Currently in Finance Comm. as
of 2/27/11. Plates are to be available no later than 10/1/11. SB883
passed on 4/12/11 and was sent to the House. Passed on 4/21/11 and
signed by Governor on 5/31/11. Plates should be available on
10/1/11. Applicant would qualify for a gold star lapel button. |
| ID |
 |
Instructions
Application |
H0024 signed by Governor 4/23/09, effective 7/1/09.
See Military Plates on the
DMV web site. You will also need form GS001 to verify your
relationship to the service member. See also the
Division of
Veterans Services web site for more information.
H0537 introduced 2/14/12 to "to revise provisions relating to
the Gold Star specialty liense plate program and to establish
provisions relating to a Gold Star - Purple Heart Medal specialty
license plate."Spouse, parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, sibling, halfsibling,
stepsibling, grandparent or legal guardian who have a deceased
relative who died as a result of hostile action in a combat zone
while serving on active duty in the US military. |
| IL |
 |
Details
Affirmation |
Widow, widower, or parent of a person who served in the U.S.
Armed Forces and lost his/her life while serving in peacetime or
war. The surviving widow/widower and each surviving parent, or in
the absence of a surviving parent, one surviving sibling. |
| IN |
 |
Details
Where to
Apply |
The
Indiana Gold Star Family license plate was unveiled by the Gov
on 5/22/09. The plate will be available on 1/1/2010 from the
BMV.
More information. Spouses, parents, grandparents,
great-grandparents, siblings, or children of anyone who died while
serving on duty in the military – active, Reserve or National Guard. |
| IA |
 |
Details
Application |
Application will download rather than display. Go to where you
download files and double click on the file 411247.pdf to open it.
Sorry, that's the way the state web site works. Spouse, parent,
child, or sibling of a deceased member of the U.S. Armed Forces who
died while serving on “active” duty during a time of military
conflict. |
| KS |
 |
Details |
This plate is for GS Mothers
only. Plates are ordered at the County Treasurers office.
HB2132 was introduced on 1/31/11 to change the existing law on
GS plates to include a broader group of relatives instead of just
mothers. See below. |
| KS |
 |
Details |
This plate is now available (1/1/13) to a broad group of relatives of the
fallen. If you qualify for the Gold Star Lapel Button or the Next of
Kin Lapel Button you should qualify for this plate. See
who qualifies for the 2 pins. |
| KY |
 |
Details |
Mothers and spouses only.
HB66 has been introduced in the 2009 Regular Session to allow
Gold Star Fathers to qualify for the plate.
HB261, which would add fathers to those eligible for the Gold
Star plate, has been sent to the Governor for signature on 3/17/10.
Mother, father, or spouse of the deceased military member killed on
active duty. |
| LA |
 |
Details for existing plate holders.
Details for new plates. |
General information about half way down the page.
More comprehensive
details for existing plate holders wishing to change to a Gold
Star Family Plate. Immediate family members of armed forces
members killed in action. |
| ME |
 |
Details
Application |
HP0893 has been introduced. On 3/31/09 it was in both the House
and Senate Transportation Committees. Appears to have
died in the Senate on 5/18/09.
HP1123, supported by the Governor, has been introduced because
external funding
may be available for the plates. Signed by Governor 6/7/11.
Note that the Gold Star license plates are admistered by the Bureau
of Veterans' Services.Must have received a Gold Star Lapel Button
(purple background) signifing that the service member was
killed-in-action or died in a combat theater of operations. |
| MD |
 |
Details
Application |
Spouse, parent, child or a sibling of a
person who served in the Armed Forces of the United States and lost
his or her life. |
| MA |
 |
Details
Application |
The House and Senate approved S2352 allowing siblings and
grandchildren of veterans who were killed in action to be issued the
special "Gold Star Family" license plate. Currently only the
parents, children or spouses may be issued the special plates.
11/15/08. Parents, children, or spouses of members of the military
who were killed in action during wartime service. |
| MI |
 |
Details
Application |
There have been several unsuccessful attempts to pass a GSF license
plate bill. The latest effort,
SB102 was introduced on 2/8/11. Passed Senate and moved to Comm
on Transportation in House 5/5/11. Governor signed bill 5/25/11,
effective 7/1/11. Spouse, father, stepfather, mother, stepmother,
foster parent, brother, half brother, sister, half sister, child,
and stepchild of military personnel who lost their lives in combat. |
| MN |
 |
Details
(Open tabs to see details)
Application |
HF1122 signed by Gov 5/16/09. Plate should be available Oct 1,
2009. Spouses and parents only.
DPS web site.
Legislation was introduced, 3/10/10, to extend eligibility
to children and siblings but failed to pass.
HF232 (companion
SF179) was introduced 1/26/11 to include legal guardians and
siblings, not children. Currently in Veterans Services Division,
3/1/11. Parent or spouse of a person who has died while honorably
serving in active military service |
| MS |
 |
More
Info |
SB 2852 signed by Governor on 5/8/08. Effective 7/1/08. No
information on
State Tax Commission web site as of 7/26/09. The plate is
available. Apply through the normal procedures at your county
office. No on line application available. Mother and unmarried
spouse of servicemember who was killed in action. |
| MO |
 |
Details |
Near bottom of details page, select "Military" then "Some Gave
All".
Immediate family members of a servicemember who died in the line
of duty while serving in the US armed forces. |
| MT |
 |
Details
Application |
HB0373 was signed by Gov on 4/16/09. Effective 1/1/2010.
Family members who are eligible for a Gold Star Lapel Button. |
| NE |
 |
Details
Application |
Laws 2007, LB570, § 3.
Plates available Jan 1, 2010. Spouse - whether remarried or not;
an ancestor - including a stepparent; a descendent - including a
stepchild; a foster parent or a person in loco parentis; a sibling. |
| NV |
 |
Details
Application |
SB139 signed the Gov 5/22/09. Effective 10/1/09. The plate is
scheduled to be released on Nov 9, 2009. Check this page for more
information after Nov 9:
DMV web site.
Immediate family members of those killed
in the line of duty while on active duty. |
| NH |
 |
Must apply as noted at right. |
Plate is available only through:
New Hampshire Department of Safety
Division of Motor Vehicles
33 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305
603-271-2251,
Other contact info. |
| NJ |
 |
Details
Application |
S2192 seems to be moving with a second reading on 12/6/10. Use
Bill Search to keep abreast of Bill status. Enter s2192 in
search field. Legislation signed by Gov Christie 1/31/11. More
information as soon as it's available. Plates are tentatively
scheduled to be available in August, 2011. Spouse, parent,
brother, sister, children, legal guardian or other legal custodian
of any member of the armed services who died while on active duty. |
| NM |
 |
Details
Application |
HB164 Signed by Gov 4/6/09. Plate should be available around
9/1/09. No information on
MVD web site as of 11/10/09.
This item was posted as in internal communication within the MVD
and has some details. Spouse, parent or stepparent of any Service
Member killed in an armed conflict with an enemy of the United
States. |
| NY |
 |
Application |
Currently mothers only.
S3955 (companion A1397) was introduced on 3/10/11 to add several
other Gold Star Family members to those eligible for the plate and
to eliminate the fee. Currently pending 3rd reading. You must enter the bill number and the current year
manually in the boxes at the link. Mothers (only) of a
servicemember who died while serving in the military. |
| NC |
 |
Details
See (57)
Application |
Issuable to the recipient of the Gold Star lapel button. |
| ND |
 |
More Info
Application |
HB1414 was signed by the Governor on 3/24/09. Plate should be
available about 7/1/09. It appears that the application process must
be started by contacting Gene Kouba of the North Dakota Department
of Veterans Affairs Office in Bismarck at 701-328-5465 or visit
their website.
Spouse, parent, including stepmother, stepfather, parent through
adoption, and foster parent, grandparents, child, including
stepchild and child through adoption, and sibling, including
half-brother and half-sister of a member of the United States armed
forces who died while serving on active duty during a time of
military conflict. |
| OH |
 |
Details |
Many variations available for different conflicts. You will also
need
BMV 4635 affidavit.
List of Deputy Registrars.
Spouse, parent (stepparent, or other person who acted in loco
parentis), grandparent, sibling (whether of the whole or half-blood,
or by adoption), child (including those by adoption, or a stepchild)
of a person who died in a combat zone while a member of any branch
of the armed forces. |
| OK |
 |
Details |
Parents only (spouses see next item). There is no application form. You must apply
directly to the Special Tag Section. More details
here.
Parents of the service persons killed in action. |
| OK |
 |
Details
Application |
This plate is for surviving spouses (parents see previous item); select SPN, Surviving
Spouse, on the application. More details
here. Spouses of an
honorably discharged veteran who died due to or as a consequence of
a service-connected disability. |
| OR |
 |
Details
Certification |
Call Nicole Hoeft at 503-373-2386 for application details.
Parent, spouse or dependent of a person who was killed in action
during an armed conflict while serving in the Armed Forces of the
United States. |
| PA |
 |
Details
Application |
HB 1723 introduce 6/9/09 to amend existing law to make more
relatives eligible for GS plate. Laid on the table (died) 2/9/10.
Widow, widower, mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, mother
through adoption, father through adoption, foster mother in loco
parentis, foster father in loco parentis, son, daughter, stepson,
stepdaughter, son by adoption, daughter by adoption, brother,
sister, half brother and half sister of a person who was killed
while serving on active duty in the military. |
| RI |
 |
Existing
Veteran plate holders
New plate apply at
local DMV
office |
No GS plate but GS parents are
entitled to a
veterans
plate with a GS parent sticker. Note also a
property tax exemption for GS parents.
S2382, to create a commission to study Gold Star license
plates similar to those in other states, was passed by the Senate
and is now in the House Veterans Affairs Committee. |
| SC |
 |
Details
Application |
See also these
other comments. |
| SD |
 |
Details
Application |
SB151 was signed by the Governor on 3/13/09. Parents only.
Plates to be available on July 1, 2009 through county treasurers'
offices and will require form MV-101, Rev 7/09 and DD 1300.
House Bill 1130 has been introduced on 1/27/10 to entitle
spouses, siblings and children to the Gold Star Plate. Passed Transportation Comm. as of
3/9/10. Parent, a spouse, a sibling, or a child
of a member of the US Armed Forces who died while in service to this
country or who died as a result of the service. |
| TN |
 |
Details |
You must obtain the plate through your
county clerk. You will need form DD 1300 Report of Casualty.
Delivery takes 3-4 days. The Gold Star Mother plate is no longer
available. Spouse, parent, sibling or child served and died in the
line of duty in the United States Armed Forces or its allies, or
died as a result of injuries sustained in such service. |
| TX |
 |
Details
- Mothers
Details - Spouse
Details - Family
Application |
Plates are identical except for Gold Star line at bottom.
Spouse, mother, parent, child or sibling of a soldier who died while
serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. |
| UT |
 |
Details
Application |
A relative, entitled to the Gold Star Lapel button, of a member of
the military who is killed while serving in the United States armed
forces. |
| VT |
 |
Details
Application |
You will also need DD form 1300, Report
of Casualty. Relatives entitled to the Gold Star Lapel
Button. |
| VA |
 |
Details
Application
Certification |
Relatives entitled to the Gold Star Lapel Button. |
| WA |
 |
Details
Request for Certification |
For parents (broadly defined) only,
other family members see next entry. There is no application as
such. Fill out the Request for Certification letter and bring it to
any Dept of Licensing agent. |
| WA |
 |
Details
Application
More details from Dept of Veterans Affairs |
The spouse of a deceased veteran and certain other family
members are eligible for the Armed Forces license plate. Separate
plates are available for each service branch. A Gold Star decal is
available for these plates. Check the box on the application. |
| WV |
 |
Application |
Relatives eligible for the Gold Star Lapel Button (10 USC§1126). |
| WI |
 |
Details
Application |
Relatives eligible for the Gold Star Lapel Button (10 USC§1126). |
| WY |
 |
Details
Application |
HB0084 was introduced on 2/8/10. Enacted as
Act 24
of 2010. Effective 1/1/2011. Parents, grandparents and spouses only.
Plates are available now, 12/10/10. Spouse, parent or grandparent
of a service member who died while in service.
1/5/12 - HB0022 has been introduced to add children and siblings to
the eligibility list. |
| GU |
 |
Application?
Other Vehicle Registration Branch Forms |
Bill 99 introduced 4/17/09, passed on 11/13/09 and signed into
law as Public Law 30-62 on Dec 2, 2009.
Bill 338-30
(COR)has been introduced to include spouses, widows and
widowers to the list of those eligible for the Gold Star plate. No information on
Guam web site as of 8/1/10.
Bill 338-30 (COR) passed to become Public Law 30-161 on 7/16/10.Parents, inclusive of mother,
father, stepmother, stepfather, and mother through adoption, father
through adoption, and foster parents who stood in loco parentis of
members of the armed services, spouses, widows and widowers of
members of the armed services. |