Celebrate Home & Herd — Wherever You Go
Continuing The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee’s celebration of 30 years, we are excited to announce Sanctuary has the opportunity to have our own specialty Tennessee license plate!
Once 1,000 plates are preordered, production on the plates will begin and Tennessee residents will soon be able to show off their support with 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.
How It Works
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We need 1,000 Tennessee residents to preorder the specialty plate before production can begin. The deadline to preorder is June 15, 2026.
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Once we reach our 1,000 plate pre-production goal, The Sanctuary will submit all orders, payments, and artwork to the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
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The State will produce and distribute the plates to local county clerk offices for pick up.
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You will be notified by mail from the State when your plate is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Elephant Sanctuary License Plate? It is a specialty license plate created to celebrate our home state and our support of home, herd, and lifetime care for elephants.
What if I live in another state? We appreciate your support from anywhere in the world, but unfortunately this plate is only available to Tennessee residents.
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 pick up. The Tennessee Department of Revenue 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 have received yours, you wil 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 will 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 is 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. However, the design still needs final approvals from the State of TN once we receive 1,000 pre-orders and submit the design. If any changes are required by the State of TN, they will be minor.
Why Your Plate Matters
Every plate on the road is more than just a tag - it is a moving tribute to elephant care and conservation. By joining this preorder effort, you are not only helping us reach the 1,000-plate goal, but you are also ensuring lasting support for the elephants who call The Sanctuary home.
Let’s make it happen - together.
