39:3-27.142 Application procedure, documentation.

2. a. Application for issuance of a Gold Star Family license plate shall be made to the chief administrator on forms and in a manner prescribed by the chief administrator. In order to be deemed complete, an application shall be accompanied by proof satisfactory to the Chief Administrator that the applicant is a family member of a member of the armed services who died while on active duty for the United States. Proof satisfactory may include any or all of the following:

(1) a certification from the Department of New Jersey of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., or any other organization formed for the support of parents of members of the armed services who lost their lives while on active duty for the United States, that the applicant is either the spouse, domestic partner, partner in a civil union, parent, brother, sister, child, legal guardian or other legal custodian, whether of the whole or half blood or by adoption, of a member of the armed services who died while on active duty for the United States;

(2) documentation deemed acceptable by the Chief Administrator, including but not limited to a federal DD Form 1300, Report of Casualty, which identifies the member of the armed services who died while on active duty for the United States;

(3) documentation indicating the applicant's relationship to the service member; or

(4) a driver's license or identification card with a Gold Star Family designation issued pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2013, c.165 (C.39:3-10f6) or section 2 of P.L.1980, c.47 (C.39:3-29.3), respectively.

The chief administrator may consult with the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs when establishing the documentation that may constitute satisfactory proof of an applicant's relationship to a deceased service member. In instances where an applicant is unable to produce documentation deemed acceptable to the Chief Administrator, the Adjutant General shall assist the chief administrator in making a determination of the applicant's eligibility for a Gold Star Family license plate.

b. The chief administrator may designate a representative of the Department of New Jersey of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., or any other organization formed for the support of parents of members of the armed services who lost their lives while on active duty for the United States, who shall serve as a liaison between such organization and the commission. The chief administrator may require an applicant for a Gold Star Family license plate to submit the application to the representative for approval. Upon approval, the representative shall certify on the application that the applicant is either the spouse, domestic partner, partner in a civil union, parent, brother, sister, child, legal guardian or other legal custodian, whether of the whole or half blood or by adoption, of a member of the armed services who died while on active duty for the United States and thereby eligible for receipt of the Gold Star Family license plate. The application shall then be forwarded to the chief administrator for final approval.

c. The commission shall provide to the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs personal identifying information of any person issued a Gold Star Family license plate pursuant to this section.

L.2011, c.17, s.2; amended 2017, c.175, s.6.