Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. on Friday announced the creation of new military branch license plates that will soon be available to Cherokee veterans and active military. Chief Hoskin unveiled the new license plate designs during the tribe’s Cherokee Veterans Christmas Gathering.
The new plates will soon be in production and are expected to become available to those who qualify in 2026. Cherokee veterans and active military who want to request one of the new plates should wait for their current tag to reach its expiration date in 2026.
“Cherokee men and women have answered the call to protect our collective freedom across all branches of the military. It is important that we continue to honor their service and sacrifices, and one small way we can do that is to provide them with license plates that recognize their service within the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Chief Hoskin. “Deputy Chief Warner and I appreciate the initiative of Cherokee Nation Tax Commissioner Fan Robinson, her fellow commissioners and other tax commission staff and leadership for their support of our veterans.”
While the Cherokee Nation’s tag offices currently provides a military service tag option, the new tags will be designed to honor specific military branches. Under the current military license plates offered by the tribe, Cherokee Nation has more than 400 license plates issued to active-duty Cherokee citizens and nearly 10,400 license plates issued to veterans.
“The service of our Cherokee active duty military and Cherokee veterans is highly regarded, and rightfully so. Chief Hoskin and I strive to recognize and honor the dedication and service of these men and women each day,” said Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. “I’m proud that we can now offer these new license plates so that our Cherokee warriors can proudly display a license plate that tells the world where and how they served in the military.”
The new specialty plates, once available, will be optional for new and used vehicles alike to active duty citizens, Cherokee veterans, and widows and widowers of Cherokee veterans. There are no additional costs to receive a specialty military branch license plate. Cherokee citizens with active duty status will need to provide a 4501 form, and veterans will need to provide a DD214 form.
“We deeply appreciate the service of our veterans as our Office of Veterans Affairs works hard every day to support and honor them,” said Cherokee Nation Secretary of Veteran Affairs S. Joe Crittenden. “I want to thank the Cherokee Nation Tax Commission for giving our Cherokee Warriors the opportunity to have something special so they can show the pride they have for the branch of military they served in.”
More information on requirements can be obtained from any of the tribe’s Cherokee Nation Tag Offices across the reservation.
“This is an important way to honor our veterans and active-duty military, while providing them with an opportunity to show their support for their branch of the military,” said Cherokee Nation Tax Commission Administrator Sharon Swepston. “We encourage our veterans to consider a new Cherokee Nation specialty tag that will represent their military branch.”
Cherokee Nation Tag Offices are located in Tahlequah, Adair, Catoosa, Collinsville, Jay, Sallisaw, and Stilwell. At-large citizens living in Oklahoma can also purchase the plate from the Cherokee Nation Tag Offices.
To learn more about the new Military Branch Plates, contact the Cherokee Nation Tag Office at (918) 453-5100.
