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Gold Star and Next-of-Kin Plates — Two Plates, and the Second One Catches What the First Misses

Vermont issues gold star plates to the widow or widower, parents and next of kin of members who lost their lives in the circumstances described in 10 U.S.C. § 1126(a), and a separate next-of-kin plate for families of members who died on active duty, on active duty for training, in drill status, or from injury or illness incurred in that service. Both go through the Office of Veterans Affairs.

Verified August 23, 2026

What this benefit is

Vermont issues gold star plates to the widow or widower, parents and next of kin of members who lost their lives in the circumstances described in 10 U.S.C. § 1126(a), and a separate next-of-kin plate for families of members who died on active duty, on active duty for training, in drill status, or from injury or illness incurred in that service. Both go through the Office of Veterans Affairs.

What it's worth: A gold star or next-of-kin plate, certified by the Office of Veterans Affairs

  • The instructions on form VD-157 read: "Gold Star Plates shall be issued to the widow or widower, parents, and next of kin as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 1126(d) of members of the U.S. Armed Forces who lost their lives under the circumstances described in 10 U.S.C. § 1126(a)."
  • The same instructions read: "Next-of-kin Plates (use form VD-149) shall be issued to the widow or widower, parents, and next of kin as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 1126(d) of members of the Armed Forces not eligible for gold star plates under subdivision (A) of this subdivision (1) who lost their lives while serving on active duty or on active duty for training, or while assigned in a Reserve or National Guard unit in drill status, or as a result of injury or illness incurred during such service or assignment."
  • A copy of the DD Form 1300, Report of Casualty, must be included with the gold star application.
  • The completed application goes to the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs, 118 State St., Montpelier, VT 05620-4401, for Gold Star Family member certification. The Office forwards the application and the DD Form 1300 to the Department of Motor Vehicles for processing.
  • The instructions state: "Applications submitted without certification by the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs or the applicant's signature will be returned to the applicant."
  • The applicant may ask the Office of Veterans Affairs to return the application and the DD Form 1300 so as to bring or mail it to the Department of Motor Vehicles directly.
  • A new registration or a transfer of registration also requires form VD-119, the Vermont Registration, Tax & Title Application. A renewal requires the completed application, the renewal notice and the required fees.
  • The Department of Motor Vehicles states that all plates on its military plates page require a completed Vermont Certificate of Veteran Status certified by the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs, that they may be used on vehicles registered at the pleasure car rate and on trucks registered for less than 26,001 lbs excluding vehicles registered under IRP, that some plates require a one-time fee, and that none of these plates can be personalised or vanity plates.
  • The declaration on form VD-157 is made under penalties of 23 V.S.A. §§ 202 and 4110.

Who is entitled to it

  • These plates belong to the family of a member who died.
  • Your home is in Vermont.

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

  1. 1Work out which of the two plates fits before filling anything in. The gold star plate follows the circumstances described in 10 U.S.C. § 1126(a); the next-of-kin plate on form VD-149 exists precisely for the deaths that do not meet it.
  2. 2Get the DD Form 1300, Report of Casualty. The gold star application will not move without a copy attached.
  3. 3Send it to the Office of Veterans Affairs, not to the DMV. Certification by that Office is a condition, and an uncertified application is returned.
  4. 4Sign it. The instructions name an unsigned application alongside an uncertified one as a reason for return.
  5. 5Ask the Office to hand the papers back to you if you would rather deal with the DMV yourself — the instructions expressly allow it.
  6. 6Bring form VD-119 as well if this is a new registration or a transfer, and the renewal notice and fees if it is a renewal.
  7. 7These plates cannot be personalised, and they only fit a vehicle registered at the pleasure car rate or a truck under 26,001 lbs.
Form
Gold Star Family Plate Application (VD-157) or Next-of-Kin Family Plate Application (VD-149), with the Vermont Certificate of Veteran Status (VG-168)
File with
Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs, 118 State Street, Montpelier
Annual
Claimed once a year.
CorrectionA family told they do not qualify for a gold star plate has not necessarily been told the whole answer. The next-of-kin plate on form VD-149 exists for deaths on active duty, on active duty for training, in drill status, or from injury or illness incurred in that service — and the instructions define it by reference to families "not eligible for gold star plates".
Worth knowingNothing in the instructions read this session conditions eligibility on the widow or widower not having remarried. That is worth confirming with the Office of Veterans Affairs, because it is not stated either way.
Known gapNo fee figure for either plate was read this session. The Department says some military plates carry a one-time fee and names the VFW and VVA plates as examples, but does not price the gold star or next-of-kin plates. legislature.vermont.gov refused retrieval this session, so the statutory fee provision was not read.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.