Gold Star Family Plate — and an "Immediate Family" List That Reaches Step-Parents and Half-Siblings
The Gold Star Family plate goes to immediate family members of military personnel who lost their lives in combat, and the Secretary of State reads immediate family widely: spouse, father, stepfather, mother, stepmother, foster parent, brother including half brother, sister including half sister, child, and stepchild. It sits in the military and veteran plate family, which the department says carries no added plate fee.
Verified August 23, 2026
What this benefit is
The Gold Star Family plate goes to immediate family members of military personnel who lost their lives in combat, and the Secretary of State reads immediate family widely: spouse, father, stepfather, mother, stepmother, foster parent, brother including half brother, sister including half sister, child, and stepchild. It sits in the military and veteran plate family, which the department says carries no added plate fee.
What it's worth: A recognition plate with no added plate fee; ordinary registration still applies
- The department states there is no added fee to obtain a veteran plate, and lists the Gold Star Family plate among the military and veteran plate options. It does not publish a separate Gold Star fee line, so no figure is claimed.
- Ordinary vehicle registration is a separate charge and is not waived by this record.
Who is entitled to it
- The plate is issued to the immediate family of someone who lost their life in combat.
- You live in this state.
Not sure whether that describes you?
Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.
How to claim it
- 1Order a new plate by post using the Application for Veteran License Plate, form BDVR-87 — the department routes new military and veteran plates that way rather than online.
- 2Check yourself against the department’s immediate family list before assuming you are outside it: spouse, father, stepfather, mother, stepmother, foster parent, brother including a half brother, sister including a half sister, child, and stepchild.
- 3Note the qualifying death. The department describes the plate as being for immediate family members of military personnel who lost their lives IN COMBAT, which is narrower than a death in service generally.
- 4Expect a birthday expiry and an annual tab. The department places the Gold Star Family plate tab in the upper right and lists it among the plates that expire and renew.
- 5The plate is not available for motorcycles.
- 6Replacements can be ordered online or at a self-service station during a tab renewal, so only the first issue needs the post.
- 7Ask about the fee at the counter rather than assuming. The department states there is no added fee to obtain a veteran plate, and personalising one costs extra.
- Form
- Application for Veteran License Plate, form BDVR-87
- File with
- Michigan Secretary of State, by post for a new plate
- Documents you will need
- dd214
- Annual
- Claimed once a year.
Sources
- authority · published policySecretary of State — Military and veteran plate options: the Gold Star Family plate, its eligibility for immediate family members of military personnel who lost their lives in combat, the ten-relationship immediate family list, spouse eligibility, no motorcycle version, upper-right tab location, and form BDVR-87 as the application for a new plate
- operating · published policySecretary of State — Military and veterans resources: "There is no added fee to obtain a veteran plate", personalisation available for an additional fee, plates usable on passenger cars, pickup trucks, vans and motor homes but not trailers or commercially used vehicles, and new plates ordered by post on form BDVR-87
This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.