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License plate shortage update

A personalized "Notice" Washington license plate with a Department of Licensing frame.

To address an ongoing shortage of standard vehicle Washington license plates, we are temporarily authorizing the printing and use of non-embossed plates.

The transition to non-embossed plates will begin the week of September 23.

Visit our Licensing Express page to learn more.

Veteran/Military Service Award emblems

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Special plates production delay warning

We're experiencing significant delays in our ability to issue personalized and specialty plates. Due to this delay, you may want to consider waiting to apply for a personalized or specialty plate. We don't have a timeline for when production delays will return to normal.

If you applied and your temporary license plate is expiring soon, visit a vehicle licensing office to get a new one.

We apologize for any inconvenience this causes.

Veteran/military service award emblem sample

These emblems can be put on any license plate type, and include:

1 large emblem - military service or award
and
2 smaller emblems - service ribbon, medal, or U.S. flag

Emblems must be displayed on bottom of license plate (see example image):

Between bolt holes - put wording
Outside of bolt holes - put ribbons, medals, or U.S. flags

Requirements to get an emblem

You must be the legal or registered owner of the vehicle.
You must provide proof of your military service or award.

How to get your emblem

Bring these items to a vehicle licensing office:

Veteran/Military Service Award Emblem Application
Bring $18 cash or a check/money order payable to Department of Licensing
Attach proof that you're eligible:
- For veterans - A copy of your DD214 or other official military orders
- For active military duty - Official letter showing awarded medals

Want to get your emblem by mail?

Mail the following to:

Special Plate Unit
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9048
Olympia, WA 98507-8500

Veteran/Military Service Award Emblem Application
Check/money order for the $18 fee payable to Department of Licensing
Include proof that you're eligible:
- For veterans - A copy of your DD214 or other official military orders
- For active military duty - Official letter showing awarded medals

How to replace your emblems

Visit a vehicle licensing office and bring DD214 or other proof of the awards or ribbons you're eligible to have

Types of emblem designs
Veteran/military service awards (Choose 1)	Ribbons, medals, and flags (Choose 2)
Air Force Cross Bronze Star Medal Distinguished Flying Cross Distinguished Service Cross Navy Cross Silver Star Medal U.S. Veteran Woman veteran	Afghanistan Campaign Medal Air Force Cross American Campaign Medal WWII Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Services Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal WWII European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal WWII Bronze Star Medal Distinguished Flying Cross Distinguished Service Cross Iraq Campaign Medal Korean Defense Medal Korean Service Medal Kosovo Campaign Medal Merchant Marines Atlantic War Zone Medal Merchant Marines Middle East War Zone Medal Merchant Marines Pacific War Zone Medal National Defense Medal Navy Cross Silver Star Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal U.S. Flag (no eligibility required) Vietnam Service Medal War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal War on Terrorism Service Medal World War I Victory Medal