How to Give a Wildlife-Themed License
Plate as a Gift
There are two ways that you can give a wildlife-themed license
plate as a gift. The easiest way is to download the Gift Envelope
on this webpage that includes pictures of the wildlife species choices,
print it out at 100% size (8-1/2” x 11”) on a color
printer, fold along the dotted lines to create an envelope, and
put $40 in cash or check inside. The recipient can select his or
her own favorite and use the money to obtain a plate when he or
she re-licenses a motor vehicle.
You can put in an order for a wildlife plate for someone else,
but it won’t be a surprise because you will need to obtain
his or her signature, since buying a license plate is a legal transaction.
It will also cost more than the additional $40 for the wildlife
plate, since you will also be paying associated fees. Here are the
steps you need to take to do so:
Obtain the approval/signature of the registered owner and
a letter from the registered owner allowing you to act on
their behalf to buy the plate.
Download the Department of Licensing’s
Certificate of Fact/License Verification Form. Print it
out, and complete it. Note: this requires the current vehicle
license plate number and current address of the registered
owner (the gift recipient).
Download one of the Dept. Of Licensing Special LicensePlate
Applications and complete.
Provide cash or money order (no checks) to cover the cost
of the background plate and associated fees. Exact cost depends
on the vehicle, where the recipient lives, and where the license
plate is purchased. Purchases at County Auditors’ offices
are $47.75 ($45.75 for single-plate vehicles such as motorcycles
and boat trailers.) Purchases at subagents trigger additional
subagent fees.
Take all paperwork, or mail to a vehicle licensing office.
See https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/ddl/lobbywaittime/
for a listing of vehicle licensing offices and addresses.
Call the individual office for applicable subagent fees.
