Chapter 4-14 Issued by Branch: Gold Star Family Plates: Passenger Special Plates A. Definition: Gold Star Family plates are issued to spouses, parents, children, siblings or grandchildren of members of the military who were killed in action during wartime service. Each person qualified under the Gold Star Family law is eligible for a plate. Note: Step-parents, step-children, step-siblings and step-grandchildren are not eligible unless a legal adoption occurred prior to the time of death. Grandparents and ex-spouses are not eligible. B. Plate Type: Gold Star Family plates are part of the Special Plate (PAS) series and have the new prefix GS. The plate numbers will consist of GS1000 - GS9999. Gold Star Family Plates will now be available for both passenger vehicles and motorcycles. C. Plate Fee: There is no fee for the issuance or the renewal of the Gold Star Family plates. E. Expiration Date: Gold Star Family plates must be renewed every two years. The last digit on the plates determines the month in which the plates expire. Required Documents: An Application for Gold Star Family Plates must be completed. This application has been revised to reflect the changes above. In addition, new text was added to the application to indicate that, if the applicant’s surname is different than that of the deceased soldier, the Registrar may require additional proof of relationship. 4:70http://www.mass.gov/rmv/forms/21625.pdf