Ohio BMV Specialty Military License Plate Class Action Settlement, Refunds for 100% Disabled Veterans

Ohio veterans who have a 100% service-connected disability and paid for a Specialty Military License Plate may be able to get a refund under a class action settlement with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). The settlement resolves Kacin v. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, a lawsuit claiming the BMV collected fees and taxes that should have been waived for these veterans. The BMV denies the claims.

This is not a shared pot of money that gets divided up. Eligible veterans are to receive a refund of the plate cost and the sales tax they paid. You must submit a signed Declaration of Eligibility and a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) letter so the Settlement Administrator receives them by 11:59 p.m. ET on December 2, 2026. That is also the deadline to opt out or object. The Ohio Court of Claims has granted preliminary approval only, and final approval is pending.

Official settlement website: BMVLicensePlateSettlement.com

Ohio BMV Specialty Military License Plate Settlement: Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Case name	Jack Kacin v. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Case number	2023-00204JD
Court	Ohio Court of Claims
Defendant	Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Class representative	Jack Kacin
Who is eligible	Veterans who bought a Specialty Military License Plate at an Ohio Deputy Registrar’s Office on or after October 17, 2019, who had a 100% VA-rated or VA-compensated service-connected disability at the time of purchase, and who have not already been refunded
What you get	A refund of the plate cost and sales tax paid. Separate services such as plate personalization are not included
Required documents	Signed Declaration of Eligibility and a VA letter showing the 100% rating and its date
Claim deadline	Received by December 2, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET
Opt-out deadline	Received by December 2, 2026
Objection deadline	December 2, 2026
Fairness hearing	July 21, 2027, 10:00 a.m. ET
Final approval status	Preliminarily approved August 19, 2026; final approval pending
Settlement administrator	Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
Phone	(833) 453-3775

What Is the Kacin v. Ohio BMV Lawsuit About?

In 2018, the Ohio General Assembly passed House Bill 194, which created Specialty Military License Plates honoring veterans’ service. Under Ohio law, veterans with a service-connected disability declared 100% by the VA can obtain certain plates without paying the registration taxes and fees. The BMV did not initially implement that change in a way that made the waiver available for specialty military plates.

Jack Kacin, a retired Army veteran, filed the class action on March 17, 2023. According to a court opinion in the case, he went to a Deputy Registrar office in Shelby County in May 2021 to register his vehicle and get a specialty military plate with the fee waiver. The deputy registrar refused to waive the charges and told him the only plate available free was the disabled veteran plate. He paid again in May 2022 when the same office again denied him the waiver.

The lawsuit alleges the BMV violated Ohio law by collecting those fees and taxes from veterans who should not have had to pay them. The BMV denies all of these claims. The court has not found that the BMV did anything wrong, and it certified the class for settlement purposes only.

Which Laws Apply to the Ohio BMV Specialty Military License Plate Refund Claims?

• Ohio Revised Code Section 4503.29 (specialty license plates). This is the statute at the center of the case. It lets qualifying veterans with a 100% service-connected disability obtain certain specialty military plates without paying the applicable registration taxes and fees, subject to its conditions. Read the current text on the Ohio Revised Code site.
• Ohio Revised Code Section 4503.41 (disabled veteran license plates). Ohio separately issues disabled veteran plates under a different statute. The settlement distinguishes those plates from specialty military plates, so having a disabled veteran plate does not by itself qualify you.
• Ohio Court of Claims Act, Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2743. The Court of Claims hears civil actions against the State of Ohio, which is why this case against the BMV is in that court instead of a county court.
• Ohio Civil Rule 23 (class actions). This rule governs class certification and the court’s approval of a class settlement. It is why the court must hold the July 21, 2027 fairness hearing before the settlement becomes final.
• Unjust enrichment (Ohio common law). According to class counsel’s press release, the Tenth District Court of Appeals held that the BMV’s retention of the fees was unjust as a matter of law. Check the appellate opinion itself for the exact holding.
• Ohio sales tax law, Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5739. The refund includes sales tax collected on the plate purchase.
• Federal and state tax rules. A refund of fees and taxes you paid is generally different from income, but tax treatment depends on your situation. Ask a tax professional how to report it.

For general guidance on documents and the claims process, read How To Claim A Lawsuit Settlement? Guide To Getting Paid.

How Did the Kacin v. Ohio BMV Case Reach a Settlement?

The trial court first denied class certification. On December 30, 2025, the Tenth District Court of Appeals reversed that decision in Kacin v. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 2025-Ohio-5815. The appeals court held that the proposed class definition, which requires purchase of a specialty plate and status as a 100% service-connected disabled veteran, provided a workable way to identify class members.

After the case went back to the trial court, the parties negotiated a Settlement Agreement dated August 18, 2026. The Ohio Court of Claims granted preliminary approval on August 19, 2026.

The BMV had also issued refunds on its own. The appellate decision describes the BMV acknowledging an implementation problem in 2023 and issuing 4,387 refunds totaling $535,885 to more than 3,600 disabled veterans. Those refunds went to veterans the BMV could identify from its records, and other eligible veterans may have paid without being identified. News coverage of the BMV’s earlier announcement cited different, smaller figures (nearly 2,000 people and an average refund of about $60), so verify any number against the appellate opinion before quoting it. The settlement covers veterans who have not previously received a refund for their purchase.

Who Qualifies for the Ohio BMV License Plate Refund?

You may be a class member if you meet all three conditions:

1. You purchased a Specialty Military License Plate at an Ohio Deputy Registrar’s Office on or after October 17, 2019.
2. You had a service-connected disability rated or compensated at 100% by the VA at the time of your purchase.
3. You have not previously received a refund for that purchase.

All three must apply. Veterans with a lower disability rating do not qualify, and neither do purchases made before October 17, 2019. The settlement is not a general refund program for every Ohio license plate or registration fee.

What if the VA Rated Me 100% Disabled After I Bought the Plate?

The settlement requires the qualifying rating to have been in effect when you bought the plate. If the VA established the 100% rating only after the purchase, that purchase may not qualify. Check the effective date in your VA documentation, and call the administrator at (833) 453-3775 if you are unsure.

What if I Already Received a Refund From the Ohio BMV?

A purchase that was already refunded does not qualify for a second refund. If you received a partial refund, or you are not sure which purchase it covered, ask the administrator how the settlement treats your situation.

Does the Ohio BMV Settlement Cover Disabled Veteran Plates and Personalized Plates?

No. The settlement focuses on specialty military plates. It does not cover the separate disabled veteran plates, and separate services such as personalization are excluded from the refund.

How Much Is the Ohio BMV License Plate Refund?

There is no fixed total fund and no per-person formula to wait on. Eligible class members who submit valid documentation get a refund of the plate purchase price and the sales tax collected on it. Separate services bought at the same time, such as personalizing the plate, are not included, so do not assume the refund covers every line on a Deputy Registrar receipt.

The amount depends on what you paid and on the BMV’s records. The BMV pays the costs of notice and administration separately, so those costs do not reduce the refunds.

What Documents Do You Need for the Ohio BMV Settlement?

The administrator requires two documents, together called the Eligibility Documentation.

1. Signed Declaration of Eligibility. You sign this official form under penalty of perjury. It confirms that you bought one or more specialty military plates at an Ohio Deputy Registrar’s office on or after October 17, 2019, that you had a VA-rated or VA-compensated 100% service-connected disability at that time, and that you have not already been refunded. Use the official form from the settlement documents page, not an informal letter.

2. VA letter. You must provide a copy of a letter from the VA showing the 100% rating or compensation and the date of the determination. The date matters because the rating must have been in place at the time of purchase.

The FAQ lists these two documents and says the BMV will verify purchases through its own records. It does not list a purchase receipt as required, but keep any records you have in case the BMV cannot match a transaction.

How to Submit an Ohio BMV Specialty Military License Plate Settlement Claim

1. Open the official website. Go to BMVLicensePlateSettlement.com and use the “Upload Eligibility Documentation” option.
2. Complete the Declaration of Eligibility. Download it from the documents page, fill in the purchase details accurately and sign it.
3. Get your VA letter. Make sure it shows the 100% rating and the date it took effect.
4. Upload or mail both documents. Mail to: Kacin v Ohio BMV, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391.
5. Make sure they arrive by 11:59 p.m. ET on December 2, 2026. Mailed documents must be received by then. A postmark alone is not enough.

Keep copies of everything and your submission confirmation. Class members are supposed to get notice by direct mail and email, and notices are also being posted at Deputy Registrar locations and veterans service organizations across Ohio. If you did not get a notice but think you qualify, you can still use the website.

Should You Submit Documents, Opt Out or Object in the Ohio BMV Settlement?

Option	What happens	Deadline
Submit eligibility documentation	You receive a refund for your qualifying purchase and give up the right to sue the BMV separately over it	Received by December 2, 2026
Do nothing	No refund, and you lose the right to sue the BMV separately if the settlement becomes final	None
Opt out	No refund, but you keep any claims against the BMV from your plate purchase	Received by December 2, 2026
Object	You stay in the class and are bound by the settlement if the court approves it over your objection	December 2, 2026

How to Opt Out of the Ohio BMV Settlement

Send a written exclusion request to the Settlement Administrator so that it is received by December 2, 2026. Mailing it on that date is not enough. The FAQ explains what the letter must include, including identifying details and an attestation that you meet the eligibility criteria, and you may not opt out on behalf of other people. If you opt out, you get no refund, but the settlement’s release will not bar your claims. Whether a separate case would succeed depends on the facts and applicable law, so consider speaking with a licensed Ohio attorney first.

How to Object to the Ohio BMV Settlement

You can object without opting out. File your objection with the Ohio Court of Claims and send copies to class counsel and the BMV’s counsel by December 2, 2026. The official notice explains what it must include, such as your reasons and any supporting evidence. If the court approves the settlement over your objection, you are still bound by it.

What Happens If You Do Nothing in the Kacin v. Ohio BMV Settlement?

You get no refund. If the settlement becomes final and you stay in the class, you may still be bound by its release of claims against the BMV and other released parties. Eligible veterans who want a refund should submit their documentation, because the BMV will not issue payment automatically.

Who Are the Attorneys in the Kacin v. Ohio BMV Class Action?

Marc Dann, managing partner of DannLaw and a former Ohio Attorney General, is quoted in class counsel’s press release about the settlement. The settlement website and the notice identify Class Counsel in full. Class members do not pay them directly.

How Much Will Class Counsel and the Settlement Administrator Receive in the Ohio BMV Settlement?

Under the settlement terms as described, Class Counsel will ask the court to approve attorneys’ fees and costs of up to $375,000, including a $10,000 incentive award for class representative Jack Kacin. Confirm exactly how those amounts are structured in the long-form notice. These are requests, not approved amounts.

Kroll Settlement Administration LLC administers the settlement. The BMV pays the administrator’s fees and costs separately, and the FAQ says those costs are not deducted from refunds.

Key Dates in the Ohio BMV License Plate Settlement

Date	Event
October 17, 2019	Earliest qualifying purchase date
March 17, 2023	Jack Kacin files the class action
December 30, 2025	Tenth District Court of Appeals reverses denial of class certification
August 18, 2026	Settlement Agreement dated
August 19, 2026	Ohio Court of Claims grants preliminary approval
December 2, 2026	Deadline to submit eligibility documentation, opt out or object
July 21, 2027, 10:00 a.m. ET	Settlement fairness hearing

The administrator states that dates may change, so check the official settlement website before acting.

When Will Ohio BMV Specialty Military License Plate Refunds Be Paid?

No payment date has been announced. Refunds depend on final approval at the July 21, 2027 fairness hearing, the settlement becoming effective, and the BMV verifying each claimant’s eligibility and purchase records. The hearing date is not a payment date, and the court could take further action before the settlement becomes final.

Ohio BMV Settlement Contact Information

• Settlement Administrator: Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
• Phone: (833) 453-3775
• Mail: Kacin v Ohio BMV, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391
• Website: BMVLicensePlateSettlement.com

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ohio BMV Specialty Military License Plate Settlement

Who can get a refund from the Ohio BMV settlement?

 Veterans who bought a Specialty Military License Plate at an Ohio Deputy Registrar’s Office on or after October 17, 2019, had a 100% VA service-connected disability rating at the time, and were not already refunded.

How much will I get from the Ohio BMV settlement? 

A refund of the plate cost and sales tax you paid. It does not cover add-ons such as personalization, and there is no fixed total fund.

What documents do I need?

 A signed Declaration of Eligibility and a VA letter showing your 100% rating and the date it took effect.

What is the Ohio BMV settlement deadline? 

December 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET, for submitting documentation, opting out or objecting. Mailed documents must be received by then.

Is the Ohio BMV settlement finally approved? 

No. The Ohio Court of Claims granted preliminary approval on August 19, 2026. The fairness hearing is July 21, 2027.

Can I qualify if the VA rated me 100% disabled after I bought the plate?

 The rating must have been in effect at the time of purchase, so a later rating may not qualify.

Does this cover regular license plates or disabled veteran plates? 

No. It focuses on specialty military plate purchases and is not a general refund program for standard plates or other registration fees.

I already got a refund from the BMV. Can I claim again?

 No. The class covers only purchases for which you have not previously received a refund.

Do I have to pay the lawyers out of my refund?

 The BMV pays notice and administration costs separately. Class Counsel’s requested fees and costs, up to $375,000, are subject to court approval.

Do I need a purchase receipt? 

The FAQ lists the declaration and VA letter as the two required documents, and the BMV verifies purchases through its own records. Keep any receipts you have anyway.

Who do I contact with questions? 

Call (833) 453-3775 or use the contact form on BMVLicensePlateSettlement.com.

AllAboutLawyer.com provides general legal information, not legal advice. The author is a legal content researcher, not a practicing attorney. Consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation. The settlement remains subject to final court approval, and eligibility and refund amounts depend on the official terms and the BMV’s verification.

Official Sources

1. Official Ohio BMV license plate settlement website
2. Settlement FAQs
3. Settlement agreement, long-form notice and Declaration of Eligibility
4. Ohio Revised Code Section 4503.29
5. Kacin v. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 2025-Ohio-5815 (Ohio Ct. App. 10th Dist.)

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against the official FAQ, settlement documents and Declaration of Eligibility run by the administrator (BMVLicensePlateSettlement.com), the Ohio Revised Code and the Tenth District opinion, as of October 16, 2026. Last Updated: October 16, 2026.