Thank you for your interest in the Nebraska Veterans’ Registry created by LB 93 in 2013 and expanded by LB 383 in 2014 by the Nebraska Legislature. The registry allows Nebraska’s veterans to voluntarily identify themselves to the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs (NDVA) to verify eligibility for state benefits. Additionally, NDVA can utilize the registry in reaching out to Nebraska’s veterans to notify them of other state and federal benefits.
The registry is currently used for 3 benefits that have different eligibility requirements. The first benefits is the Veteran Identifier on the driver license that went into effect July 1, 2014 and is used to identify your veteran status similar to showing Active Duty discharge papers. The second benefit is the Nebraska Military Honor License Plates which will be issued starting January 2016. The Military Honor Plates acknowledge the strength, courage and sacrifices of those who have served with a discharge characterization of Honorable or (Under Honorable Conditions) and those currently serving in the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserves, Marines, Marines Corps Reserves, Navy, Navy Reserves, the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Additionally, Military Honor Plates are available for veterans who have been awarded the following service medals: Afghanistan Campaign, Iraq Campaign, Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Expeditionary, Southwest Asia Service, and Vietnam Service. Plates are also available for 100-percent Permanent and Total Disabled American Veterans, Purple Heart Recipients, Ex-Prisoners of War, and Gold Star Family Members. Veterans must also be on the Registry to be eligible for the Vets Get Pets benefit.
A(1): Active Duty Service Members, Reservists, and National Guard may register by providing an application and copy of your current Military identification card to NDVA. If you have a discharge from previous service, you would be eligible for the Veteran Identifier on your driver license and the Military Honor license plates. If you are currently serving with no prior discharge from service, you are eligible to receive the Military Honor Plates.
A(2): Veterans may register by providing an application and a copy of your military discharge to NDVA. Your discharge must include the characterization of service. Once in the registry, you may get the Veteran Identifier on your Nebraska driver license or state ID card and the Military Honor Plates.
A: No, The Veteran Identifier on the driver license and the Military Honor Plates have different criteria as outlined in Nebraska State Statutes. When you apply to the Veterans’ Registry, NDVA will verify eligibility for both the Driver License Identifier and the Nebraska Military Honor License Plates.
Eligibility for Veteran Identifier:
Eligibility for Military Honor Plates:
A: Applying to the Nebraska Veterans’ Registry may be completed in several ways. The quickest way to apply is through our website: www.veterans.nebraska.gov
Other ways to apply include:
NDVA
301 Centennial Mall S, 4th Floor
PO Box 95083
Lincoln NE 68509-5083
A: If you do not have a copy of your discharge from service, you may contact your County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) or NDVA for a copy. If you are not originally from Nebraska or have a special circumstance please contact NDVA for further guidance. Once you submit a copy of your discharge, it will be maintained in the Nebraska Veterans’ Registry. You must submit an acceptable form of your discharge such as a DD 214 (Member 4 Copy) which shows your name, active duty dates of service (other than for training if a member of the National Guard or Reserves) and characterization of discharge (Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions)).
A: Once you are in the Veterans’ Registry, it may take up to 24 hours for your information to be updated in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) computers. Once in the DMV computers, you may request the Veteran Identifier on your driver license or ID card. The DMV encourages online renewals at: https://dmv.nebraska.gov Military Honor Plates may also be ordered once you are in the DMV’s system.
A: You qualify for the Veteran Indicator if you have served in the U.S. Armed Forces or the Air or Army National Guard were discharged with a characterization of service of Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions).
Please note that while your veteran status is verified by NDVA, no third party is required to accept the veteran indicator as proof of service.
A: There is no cost to verify your veteran status with NDVA. If you add the Veteran Indicator to your driver license or state ID card at the time of renewal, you will pay only the cost of renewing your driver license or state ID card. If you add the Veteran Indicator to your driver license or state ID card at a time other than at renewal, you will need to pay a duplicate fee for a replacement card as determined by the DMV.
A: You qualify for the Veteran Indicator if you have Active Duty service (not for training) and a characterization of service of (HONORABLE or General (Under Honorable Conditions)).
A: Application to the Nebraska Veterans’ Registry is voluntary; however, in order to get the Veteran Indicator on a license or ID card, veterans must first be enrolled in the Nebraska Veterans’ Registry. Also, once in the registry, there is no obligation by the veteran to add the Veteran Indicator to their driver license or ID card.
A: The Nebraska DMV began offering the Veteran Indicator on driver licenses and state ID cards July 1st, 2014. You may visit your local licensing office or renew online at: https://www.nebraska.gov/dmv/dlr/index.cgi
A: The Nebraska Veterans’ Registry may be used to verify eligibility for certain state benefits and may also be used for outreach to inform veterans of benefits. Your information will not be sold to a third party vendor.
A: Yes, you may assist a veteran in completing the process as long as they have requested your assistance.
A: It should take no longer than 2 to 3 business days to process your request if your application is complete upon receipt.
A: If you apply via our website you will be notified by email. If you apply with a paper application, your application will be processed and you will be notified via letter or email. If you apply through your CVSO who utilizes VetraSpec, you will not be notified by NDVA.
A: For veteran related question please contact NDVA, or the DMV website for general information at: https://dmv.nebraska.gov
A: Once you are in the registry, you do not need to reapply.
A: Simply fill out the application with your prior state license information and write a brief summary in the comment section and if necessary NDVA will contact you with any questions.
A: You may call NDVA at 402-471-2458 or email us at: NDVA@nebraska.gov
Disclaimer
Upon receiving evidence of fraud in an application, the director of the Nebraska DMV may cancel the license or state identification card and send notice of the cancellation to the licensee or cardholder. If the Nebraska DMV has information that an individual is no longer eligible for the notation, the department may cancel the license and send notice of the cancellation to the licensee or cardholder. The notation shall not be restored until the Department of Motor Vehicles subsequently verifies the applicant’s eligibility. Additionally, upon receiving evidence of fraud, NDVA may remove any individual from the Nebraska Veterans’ Registry and may forward such evidence to the local county attorney.
A: The Military Honor License Plates are beneficial in displaying military pride and acknowledging the strength, courage and sacrifices of those who have honorably served (Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions)) or are currently serving in the military. Military Honor Plates are available for former or current members of the following military services:
Military Honor Plates are also available for veterans who have been awarded the Afghanistan Campaign, Iraq Campaign, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, Southwest Asia Service, or Vietnam Service medals, as well as for Disabled American Veterans, Purple Heart Recipients, Ex-Prisoners of War, and Gold Star Family Members.
A: You may see samples of the Military Honor License Plates by visiting: https://dmv.nebraska.gov/sites/dmv.nebraska.gov/files/doc/dvr/forms/militaryhonor.pdf
A:You qualify for the Military Honor Plates if you are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or the Air or Army National Guard, or have served in the U.S. Armed Forces or the Air or Army National Guard and were discharged with a characterization of service of Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions).
A: Application to the Nebraska Veterans’ Registry is voluntary however, in order to get the Nebraska Military Honor License Plates you must first be enrolled in the Nebraska Veterans’ Registry. Also, once in the registry, there is no obligation to purchase the Military Honor Plates.
A: There is a $ 5.00 fee for the Military Honor Plates with the same exclusive design as on the Military Honor Message plates, but assigned an alpha/numeric combination by the Department of Motor Vehicles. These plates are issued in consecutive numeric order in the order in which the applications are received. Requests for specific numbers cannot be processed.
A: Yes; these plates are produced with an available message of your choice of up to five characters along with a $40.00 fee.
A: You may enroll in as many plate designations as you are eligible for. However, each vehicle is only allowed to have one branch of service or campaign medal per one set of plates. Please note that our system only allows us to send up to 5 designations in a single day to the DMV.
A: There is no limit to the number of motor vehicles or trailers owned or leased by the applicant that may be licensed with Military Honor Plates.
A: Military Honor Plates are available for motor vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, semitrailers and cabin trailers.
A: Yes, you may assist a Service member in completing the process as long as they have requested your assistance.
A: It should take no longer than 2 to 3 business days to process your request.
A: If you apply via our website you will be notified by email. If you apply with a paper application your application will be processed and you will be notified by letter or email. If you apply through your CVSO who utilizes VetraSpec, you will not be notified by NDVA.
A: Questions regarding Military Honor License Plates may be addressed to the DMV website or by calling 402-471-3918.
A: Once you are in the registry, you do not need to reapply.
A: We understand that new service members and veterans come to Nebraska each year and we stand ready to assist with your transition. Simply fill out the application with your prior state ID and write a brief summary in the comment section and if necessary, NDVA will contact you with any questions.
A: You may call NDVA at 402-471-2458 or email us at: NDVA@nebraska.gov
Disclaimer
Upon receiving evidence of fraud in an application, the director of the Nebraska DMV may cancel the license or state identification card and send notice of the cancellation to the licensee or cardholder. If the Nebraska DMV has information that an individual is no longer eligible for the notation, the department may cancel the license and send notice of the cancellation to the licensee or cardholder. The notation shall not be restored until the Department of Motor Vehicles subsequently verifies the applicant’s eligibility. Additionally, upon receiving evidence of fraud, NDVA may remove any individual from the Nebraska Veterans’ Registry and may forward such evidence to the local county attorney.