Drivers & Vehicles > Vehicles > Personalized and special license plates > Special license plates >

Gold Star license plates

Eligibility

Gold Star license plates are available to anyone who has had an immediate family member (spouse, grandparent, parent, sibling, child, stepchild, stepparent, grandchild or the spouse of a grandparent, parent, sibling, child, stepchild, stepparent or grandchild) that died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or in forces incorporated as part of the U.S. armed forces if the immediate family member meets any of the criteria specified in 10 USC 1126(a)(1) to (3) for a gold star lapel button. The qualified individual must be an owner, lessee, or trust beneficiary.

Vehicles that qualify:

• Automobiles
• Motor homes (annual registration only)
• Trucks
  • 4,500, 6,000 or 8,000 pound gross weight including dual purpose farm and dual purpose motor home
  • 12,000 pound gross weight farm truck

Things you should know:

• Gold Star license plates can feature regular numbers or a personalized message.
• No issuance fee is required when non-personalized Gold Star plates are issued.
• A $15 fee is required EACH year in addition to the regular annual registration fee for personalized plates.
• If the vehicle receiving Gold Star license plates is already titled/registered in your name, complete the vehicle section on MV2951 .
• If the vehicle is not titled in your name, complete the title application - form MV1 (401 KB) and form MV2951 . Send them with all the required fees to the address on form MV2951.
• You must complete and sign the Affirmation for Gold Star License Plates on the application - form MV2951 .
• Plates may be transferred from an auto to a truck or vice versa upon payment of the full registration fee unless vehicle is converted from an auto to a truck or vice versa. The real registration must be changed to reflect the current plate type.

How to apply:

Send the following items:

1. Completed the Gold Star Plate Application form, MV2951 with signed Affirmation for Gold Star License Plates as proof of eligibility;
2. Personalized plate fee, if requesting personalized plates;
3. Annual registration fee if you do not have plates or if your current plates expire within the next three months;
4. Check or money order made payable to: Registration Fee Trust;
5. Mail with payment to:

Personalized license plates

• On form MV2951, check which option you would like us to follow if your request is not available.
• No refund or adjustment will be made for a change of choice or spacing after the plate has been ordered, or if the application is incorrectly or unclearly completed.
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) may refuse to issue OR may recall after issuance, a request that is misleading or may be offensive to good taste or decency.
• If you are requesting a plate which the current owner no longer wants, have the former owner complete the "Release of Personalized Plates" on form MV2951 .
• Allow approximately 4-6 weeks for the plates to be manufactured after you have received your Certificate of Registration.

Temporary plate required

To legally operate your vehicle, you must display license plates within two business days of purchase. If you do not have current plates, apply to a DMV service center or an agent authorized by DMV to obtain a temporary plate while your Gold Star plate order is processed. An agent may charge a $3 plate fee and/or may also charge a $5 service fee.

Changing from personalized plates to non-personalized Gold Star plates or to regular plates

If you wish to re-register your vehicle with regular license plates at renewal time or within three months of the renewal expiration date, send a copy of your Certificate of Registration or renewal notice with a request for standard plates along with the registration. Subtract $15 from the fee shown on the renewal notice. If you wish to re-register other than at renewal time, submit the request and a copy of the Certificate of Registration.

Release of information

Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) uses the information on form MV2951 to issue Gold Star license plates. Under open records laws, the department must make nonexempt information available upon request. If you want your name and address withheld from mailing lists of 10 or more individuals, complete page 2 of form MV2951.

If you have questions:

• E-mail: special-plates.dmv@dot.state.wi.us
• Call: (608) 266-3041 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Fax: (608) 267-5106
• Write to the address above

Back to Special and personalized license plates

Return to top

You will need the Adobe Reader (provided free of charge) to view PDF files. For more information about getting your free copy of the Adobe Reader, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

Questions about the content of this page:
Special Plate Unit, special-plates.dmv@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: May 29, 2008