This year marks 30 years of The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, and you can help celebrate this milestone in a special way. With 1,000 plates preordered, Tennessee residents will soon be able to show off a brand-new Elephant Sanctuary specialty license plate — featuring a design inspired by the elephants and the beauty of Tennessee.
Every time you drive, you’ll help raise awareness for elephant conservation and lifelong care, while also supporting the largest accredited sanctuary for African and Asian elephants in North America — right here in Tennessee.
A portion from every plate sold will be donated directly to The Sanctuary, helping provide home, herd, rest and refuge for elephants in our care and around the world.
We need 1,000 Tennessee residents to preorder the specialty plate before production can begin. The deadline to preorder is June 15, 2026.
Once we reach our goal, The Sanctuary will submit all orders, payments, and artwork to the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
The State will produce and distribute the plates to local county clerk offices for pickup.
You’ll be notified by mail from the State when your plate is ready.
What is The Elephant Sanctuary License Plate? It’s a specialty license plate available only to Tennessee residents, created to celebrate our community and support our efforts to provide home, herd, and lifetime care for elephants.
How much does the plate cost? The total cost is $61.50 for a one-year registration. This includes the standard specialty plate fee, state fees, and a $26.50 donation to The Elephant Sanctuary. The $26.50 portion is tax-deductible.
Do I need to pay any additional wheel tax? If your county charges a wheel tax, that payment will be made directly to your county clerk’s office when you pick up your plate.
Will I receive a tax receipt for my purchase? Yes. The acknowledgment letter/tax receipt from The Elephant Sanctuary will reflect only the $26.50 portion of your plate fee, which is tax-deductible.
When will I get my plate? Preorders close June 15, 2026 (or when 1,000 preorders have been reached). The Sanctuary will send all preorder information to the State, beginning a 4–6 month production period. All preordered plates will be sent to your local county clerk’s office for pickup. The Tennessee Department of Revenue [link] will mail you a letter when your plate is ready.
Can I personalize my plate? Not during the initial preorder process. Once the first batch of plates is produced and you’ve received yours, you’ll have the option to personalize it at your next renewal.
What if my current plate expires before my new plate arrives? Renew as normal. When your new plate is ready, you’ll receive a credit for any unused registration time (unless your tags expire within 30 days of pick-up). Your new tags will be valid for 12 months from the date you receive your specialty plate.
Where do the proceeds go? From each plate sold, $26.50 is donated to The Elephant Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This portion is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law and directly supports The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.
Is shipping included in the fee? There’s no additional shipping cost. The State will notify you when your plate is ready for pick-up at your county clerk’s office.
What happens to my current plate? When you pick up your new Elephant Sanctuary plate, your old plate will no longer be registered to a vehicle — but you can keep it as a memento.
Can I order plates for multiple vehicles? Yes! As long as they are registered in Tennessee (excluding commercial vehicles), you may order a specialty plate for each one.
Is this the final design? Yes — the plate design will reflect The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee and its mission.
Every plate on the road is more than just a tag — it’s a moving tribute to elephant care and conservation. By joining this preorder effort, you’re not only helping us reach the 1,000-plate goal, but you’re also ensuring lasting support for the elephants who call The Sanctuary home.
Let’s make it happen — together.
