WAC 308-96A-057   Purple Heart license plates.  (1) Under what authority does the department issue Purple Heart license plates? The department issues Purple Heart license plates, under the authority of RCW 46.16.305 as written prior to 1990. Washington state law allowed the department to issue special license plate series denoting the age or type of vehicle or denoting special activities or interest, status, or contribution or sacrifice for the United States, the state of Washington, or citizens of the state of Washington, of a registered owner of that vehicle. The Washington legislature amended the law in 1990 allowing the department to continue issuing special license plates authorized under the law as it was before it was amended.

     (2) Who may receive Purple Heart license plates? Any Washington resident who:

     (a) Has been awarded a Purple Heart medal by any branch of the United States Armed Forces, including the Merchant Marines and the Women's Air Forces Service Pilots or spouse if the recipient is deceased;

     (b) Was wounded or is the spouse of a person who was wounded during one of this nation's wars or conflicts identified in RCW 41.04.005; and

     (c) Is an owner, co-owner, lessee, or co-lessee of a vehicle requiring two license plates; or

     (d) The spouse of a deceased recipient of a Purple Heart medal.

     (3) What documentation does a Purple Heart recipient or spouse of a deceased recipient need to submit to obtain Purple Heart license plates? Purple Heart recipients or spouse of a deceased recipient applying for these license plates must submit:

     (a) An application for Purple Heart license plates; and

     (b) A copy of the armed forces document showing the recipient was awarded the Purple Heart medal.

     (c) The surviving spouse of a deceased Purple Heart medal recipient may be issued a special Purple Heart license plate. In addition to confirm eligibility, the surviving spouse must submit the following:

     (i) A copy of the death certificate of the deceased Purple Heart medal recipient; and

     (ii) An affidavit that the applicant is not currently married.

     (4) May the spouse of a deceased Purple Heart recipient keep the Purple Heart license plates? Yes. To keep the Purple Heart license plates the surviving spouse must provide:

     (a) A copy of the Purple Heart recipient's death certificate; and

     (b) An affidavit that the spouse has not remarried; and

     (c) If the surviving spouse remarries, the Purple Heart special license plate is invalid and must be removed from the vehicle.

     (5) When I am required to replace my Purple Heart license plate, will I receive the same license plate number and letter combination? Yes. If the vehicle owner requests and pays the fees in RCW 46.16.233, the Purple Heart license plates will be replaced with the same number/letter combination as shown on the vehicle computer record.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 46.12.270, and 46.16.276. 07-21-119, § 308-96A-057, filed 10/23/07, effective 11/23/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 46.16.335, 46.12.070, 46.16.276. 02-16-071, § 308-96A-057, filed 8/6/02, effective 9/6/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 46.16.276 and 43.17.060. 00-01-151, § 308-96A-057, filed 12/21/99, effective 1/21/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110. 97-07-013, § 308-96A-057, filed 3/11/97, effective 4/11/97; 93-14-083, § 308-96A-057, filed 6/30/93, effective 7/31/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110 and 46.16.335. 91-15-006, § 308-96A-057, filed 7/8/91, effective 8/8/91.]