# WAC 308-96A-057: WAC 308-96A-057. Purple Heart license plates

> Washington · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_057

## Section

- **Citation:** WAC 308-96A-057
- **Heading:** WAC 308-96A-057. Purple Heart license plates
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Administrative Code / Title 308 / Chapter 308-96A / Section 308-96A-057

## Text

(1) Under what authority does the department issue Purple Heart license plates? RCW 46.18.280 authorizes the department to issue Purple Heart license plates.
(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
eceased 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) If I 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 46.16A.200 , the Purple Heart license plates will be replaced with the same number and letter combination as shown on the vehicle computer record.

## Nearby sections

- [WAC 308-96A-005 WAC 308-96A-005. Terminology — Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_005.md)
- [WAC 308-96A-015 WAC 308-96A-015. Replacement certificate of registration — Documents required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_015.md)
- [WAC 308-96A-021 WAC 308-96A-021. Replacement plates — Requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_021.md)
- [WAC 308-96A-026 WAC 308-96A-026. Vehicle transit permit](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_026.md)
- [WAC 308-96A-046 WAC 308-96A-046. Qualified veteran's free license](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_046.md)
- [WAC 308-96A-047 WAC 308-96A-047. Cooper Jones/Share the Road license plate emblems affixed to license plates](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_047.md)
- [WAC 308-96A-048 WAC 308-96A-048. Distribution of the first twenty-five sequential special license plates](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_048.md)
- [WAC 308-96A-050 WAC 308-96A-050. Nonresident members of the armed forces — Plates displayed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_050.md)
- [WAC 308-96A-056 WAC 308-96A-056. Pearl Harbor survivor license plates](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_056.md)
- [WAC 308-96A-057 WAC 308-96A-057. Purple Heart license plates](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_057.md)
- [WAC 308-96A-064 WAC 308-96A-064. Transfer or loss/destruction of foreign organization special license plates](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_064.md)
- [WAC 308-96A-065 WAC 308-96A-065. Personalized license plates](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_065.md)
- [WAC 308-96A-070 WAC 308-96A-070. Amateur radio operator special license plates](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_070.md)
- [WAC 308-96A-071 WAC 308-96A-071. Military affiliate radio system special license plates](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_071.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_308_96A_057. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.