Special Instructions
for applying for a Gold Star license plate in Certain States.

Kentucky

The application procedure for the Kentucky is somewhat unusual. We've received the following instructions from Marty Pinkston of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs.

There is no application form at present. That may change as a result of our effort to make this all clearer, but as it is today, the Gold Star Mother may either make known her desire for a plate to the county clerk’s office where one obtains any license plate or they may contact our office and we will walk her through the process. All she needs to do is mail, fax or email a copy of the DD Form 1300 (or other documentation) to us. We verify eligibility and send a letter to the county clerk’s office. Then the GSM goes to the county clerk’s office and applies as they would for any other personalized plate (no special form). When the Transportation Cabinet gives us the plate we contact the GSM to arrange presentation. Here in our office the GSM may contact any of the following:

Jeffrey.Acob@ky.gov
Brooke.Groves@ky.gov
Marty.Pinkston@ky.gov

Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
1111B Louisville Road
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
Phone: (502) 564-9203
FAX: (502) 564-9240

When the plate is completed by the Transportation Cabinet it is sent to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Brigadier General (ret) Les Beavers, Commissioner for our Department, or I hand carry them all and make a brief presentation. The presentation is done with as much or as little fanfare as the GSM wants…entirely up to her. We have done some in the Capitol Rotunda, several in the mom’s living room, and every setting in between.

Oklahoma

We've received this information from Kathy Green of the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

In reference to the Gold Star Parent Specialty License Plate, there is not a specific application for this license plate.

Due to the fact these plates are only available to the parents of the service persons killed in action actual documentation is required before the plate may be issued. (See information below.) Parents are limited to (2) plates per year and the fee is $14.00 in lieu of the regular registration fees that you would normally pay on the vehicle.

Since these tags are in lieu of your regular tag you may wait until the vehicle registration is going to expire as the expiration date for the new tag will remain the same as the previous registration. In addition to the required fees a current insurance verification form for the vehicle in which the tag will be displayed will be needed. If the complete vehicle identification number is not listed on your insurance form please provide the information and/or your previous tag number.

Below is a list of documents that you may supply that will provide verification that we can issue the Gold Star Parent Specialty License Plate:

A letter requesting the tag mailed to this office with the following documentation. A letter of confirmation from the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, OR deceased veteran's DD Form 214 (if the form does not reflect service person's death, a copy of the death certificate will need to be included) and birth certificate confirming applicant's relation OR Gold Star Parent membership identification card.

Should you have any further questions please feel free to contact me.

Kathy Green, Supervisor
kgreen@oktax.state.ok.us
Special Tag Section
Motor Vehicle Division
Oklahoma Tax Commission
2501 North Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73194

California

We've received the following from Nancy Totman, Military & Legislative Advocate, Blue Star Moms, East Bay Chapter #101, www.bluestarmoms.org

Family & Friends,

Once again, we are supporting a bill which calls for approval of a Gold Star Family license plate.  State Senate Bill 1455 (Cogdill/Denham) would amend the existing vehicle code to allow family members related to a person killed in active duty in any war to apply for a special license plate.  The language in the bill states that a special California State Vehicle License plate be available in numbered sequence for the families whose loved ones lost their lives in defense of the United States.  The fiscal impact is minimal due to fees collected at the time of application.

SB 287 was introduced in February 2007.  Unfortunately, no hearing date was set by the Senate Transportation Committee and therefore the bill failed to get to the floor for a vote.  State Senators Cogdill and Denham introduced SB 1455 on April 2, 2008; however, once again, a hearing date has not been set in the Transportation Committee.

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP NOW!!

In order to get this bill out of committee and to the senate floor for a vote it is incumbent upon us to take the following immediate action.

We must flood Senators Dave Cogdill and Jeff Denham's office with letters of support.

Please write a letter with the message "I support SB 1455, California Gold Star License Plate Bill and mail it in today.

Also include your name, city and state of residence.  Send it to the following address:

Senator Dave Cogdill/Senator Jeff Denham
SB 1455
1308 West Main Street, Suite C
Ripon, CA 95366

Call Senator Alan Lowenthal, Chair of the Transportation and housing Committee along with your Senator who also sits on the committee and voice your support.

Senator Alan Lowenthal (Chair): District 27 - (916) 651-4027
Senator Tom McClintock (Vice Chair): District 19 - (916) 651-4019
Senator Roy Ashburn: District 18 - (916) 651-4018
Senator Gilbert Cedillo: District 22 - (916) 651-4022
Senator Ellen Corbett: District 10 - (916) 651-4010
Senator Robert Dutton: District 31 - (916) 651-4031
Senator Tom Harman: District 35 - (916) 651-4035
Senator Christine Kehoe: District 39 - (916) 651-4039
Senator Jenny Oropeza: District 28 - (916) 651-4028
Senator Joe Simitian: District 11 - (916) 651-4011
Senator Tom Torlakson: District 7 - (916) 651-4007
Senator Leland Yee: District 8 - (916) 651-4008

This bill is very important to the Gold Star families in California and I urge you to act upon this today. Approximately 23 states have the license plate measure in place and 10 more are enacting the bill as well.  To date, California has lost more servicemen and women than any other state.  It is a small token of appreciation for the Gold Star families whose sons and daughters have made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.

Please forward this e-mail to your family and friends.  Every letter, every phone call makes a difference!

Thank you!!

Nancy Totman