Ohio BMV 4508: Service Star Medal License Plates Guide

Ohio BMV 4508: Service Star Medal License Plates Guide – Ohio honors the service and sacrifices of military veterans and service members through a wide range of specialty license plates. One important option is the Service Star Medal License Plate, available via Ohio Form BMV 4508. This official application allows eligible individuals to display plates that recognize specific military campaign medals and the corresponding service stars earned during their service.

These plates are issued under the authority of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) in coordination with the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 4503.29 and Ohio Administrative Code Rule 4501:1-7-13. There are no additional specialty plate fees for Service Star Medal plates beyond standard registration costs.

What Are Service Star Medal License Plates?

Service Star Medal License Plates are specialized military plates that feature the ribbon design associated with certain campaign or service medals, along with the appropriate number of bronze or silver service stars. These stars represent participation in designated campaigns or subsequent awards, as documented on the applicant’s DD-214 or equivalent military records.

According to Ohio Administrative Code Rule 4501:1-7-13, the plates are inscribed with identifying words or markings approved by the Institute of Heraldry. They reflect the award and the number of service stars evidenced in the applicant’s official discharge documents.

Common categories covered by Form BMV 4508 include plates related to:

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal

The form lists specific plate codes (for example, SERVICE STAR MEDAL EXFORCE, KOREA, NATDEFNS, SW ASIA, and VIETNAM) that correspond to different combinations of bronze and silver stars.

Who Is Eligible for Service Star Medal License Plates?

Eligibility is limited to veterans, service members, or reservists who can document receipt of the qualifying medal and the associated service stars. Key requirements include:

The qualifying military member must be listed as an owner (or joint owner) on the vehicle title.
Proof of the award and service stars must appear on the DD-214, DD-215, or equivalent official documentation.
Applicants must meet the general definitions of veteran, service member, or reservist under Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code Section 5903.01).

Important notes from official guidance:

If the DD-214 or DD-215 uses the word “campaigns,” each campaign typically represents a star earned plus the ribbon.
If the document uses “devices” or an asterisk (*), those generally represent each star earned and do not include the ribbon itself.
Documentation from service prior to 1990 most commonly uses the term “campaigns.”

Only one military designation may appear on each set of plates, and a veteran may designate only one wartime period per set of plates.

Required Documents for Form BMV 4508

When submitting the Application for Service Star Medal License Plates, prepare the following:

Completed Form BMV 4508 — fully filled out and signed by the owner(s) named on the certificate of title.
Official military documentation — usually a copy of the DD-214 or DD-215 showing the medal and service stars. In some cases, official certificates or orders may be accepted if the DD-214 does not fully document the award.
Certificate of Title or Memorandum Title — required if the vehicle has not been permanently plated (originals only; copies are not accepted).
Affidavit for Registration (BMV 5712) — required if the vehicle is a non-commercial truck that does not currently display a valid plate.
Emissions test results — required if the applicant resides in an e-check county and the vehicle is subject to testing.

Providing false information on the application is a criminal offense under Ohio Revised Code Section 2913.42.

How to Complete and Submit Form BMV 4508?

Form BMV 4508 (revised April 2015) requires the following information:

Owner name, email, address, city, state, and ZIP code
Joint owner or lessee information (if applicable), Ohio county of residence, Social Security number or Tax ID, and daytime phone
Veteran name, military branch, and contact details
Vehicle details: serial number (VIN), odometer reading, certificate of title number, year, make, model, and color
Optional substitute mailing address
Selection of the specific Service Star Medal plate code that matches the documented stars

After completing the form, applicants may submit it along with supporting documents through the following methods:

In person at a local Ohio BMV Deputy Registrar License Agency
By mail (follow current instructions on the official BMV website or the form itself)
In some cases, combined with registration-by-mail processes using Form BMV 4625

Most military specialty plates can be requested at a Deputy Registrar location. Certain high-honor plates (such as Congressional Medal of Honor or Former Prisoner of War) have stricter mailing requirements, but Service Star Medal plates generally follow standard specialty-plate procedures.

Fees and Vehicle Eligibility

Service Star Medal License Plates carry no additional specialty or contribution fees. Applicants pay only the regular vehicle registration tax, any applicable local taxes, and standard plate issuance or replacement fees if required.

Eligible vehicle types typically include:

Passenger vehicles
Non-commercial trucks
Recreational vehicles
House vehicles
Non-commercial trailers
Unconventional vehicles (as approved by the Registrar)

The plates are available for vehicles owned or leased by the eligible applicant.

Download the Official Ohio Form BMV 4508

You can download the current official Application for Service Star Medal License Plates directly from the Ohio Department of Public Safety:

Download Ohio Form BMV 4508 (PDF)

Always verify that you are using the most recent version available through the official Ohio BMV Documents & Forms page.

Additional Resources and Official References

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult these trusted Ohio government sources:

If you have questions about eligibility or the application process, contact the Ohio BMV at 844-644-6268 or visit your local Deputy Registrar agency.

Why Choose Service Star Medal License Plates?

These plates provide a visible, permanent way for Ohio veterans and service members to honor their specific campaign service. They require no extra annual contribution fees, making them an accessible recognition option. By completing Form BMV 4508 accurately and providing the required documentation, eligible applicants can obtain plates that accurately reflect the medals and service stars they earned while serving the United States.