In the 1990s we were instructed to have our DD-214 registered at the local Recorder's Office. How is this being done now?

2017-03-12T06:22:41-04:00

Response by SMSgt Roger Horton made Mar 12 at 2017 7:19 AM

2017-03-12T07:19:30-04:00

I don't remember those instructions from the 60s. I have a friend that is Clerk of the Court here locally and will see if it is being done here and post what I find.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2017 7:57 AM

2017-03-12T07:57:47-04:00

PO3 Daniel Stone Transylvania County NC - file with the Deed Registrar's office. They make a photo copy and return the original - didn't even have to ask for the original.

Response by SFC Daniel Faires made Mar 12 at 2017 8:03 AM

2017-03-12T08:03:37-04:00

Just go to your local courthouse, public records and they will file it for free

I recommend anyone who gets discharged to do it

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Mar 12 at 2017 8:29 AM

2017-03-12T08:29:19-04:00

They lock the DD214s up separate and isn't public record. So no one has access to them. An attorney stole a SS number from a guy and that's when they were locked up.

Response by PO2 Robert Aitchison made Mar 12 at 2017 11:59 AM

2017-03-12T11:59:33-04:00

I got out in 1994 and I don't recall anything like that. Maybe it was specific to your command at the time of your EAOS?

Response by SGT Rudy Gibson made Mar 12 at 2017 12:42 PM

2017-03-12T12:42:51-04:00

You can still take you DD-214 down to the county recorders office. There is good and bad about doing this. Technically it could become public knowledge but counties have safeguards in place to protect you personal information. One good reason to do this is that most states give veterans property tax breaks. You get your exemption number from the county recorders office.

Response by SFC George Smith made Mar 12 at 2017 1:12 PM

2017-03-12T13:12:24-04:00

go to the County registerer of deeds and Have it filed

Response by Cpl Mark McMiller made Mar 12 at 2017 2:07 PM

2017-03-12T14:07:23-04:00

I was never told to do this. And on the face of it, it doesn't sound like a smart thing to do. The public has access to information at the recorder's office.

Response by SFC John Hill made Mar 12 at 2017 2:34 PM

2017-03-12T14:34:13-04:00

When I retired in 2008, it was recommended you file your DD-214 with your local County Clerk and Recorder Office.

Response by PO3 Daniel Stone made Mar 12 at 2017 3:01 PM

2017-03-12T15:01:50-04:00

Thanks to everyone for their feedback so far. I don't quite remember the exact reason why except it is far easier to get it from the local office than it is to cut through the red tape of dealing with the federal government in the event it was lost. I am not aware of any tax breaks or being accessible to the general public because of this. Technology has changed greatly since 1997 which was when I separated. Since then, I have both hard and soft copies which are used for when proof of service arises.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Mar 12 at 2017 3:45 PM

2017-03-12T15:45:26-04:00

I had never heard that advise before. What is the reason to register my DD214 (and DD215 now) with the county recorder's office. If I move to a different county but within the same state should the process be repeated?

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Mar 12 at 2017 7:28 PM

2017-03-12T19:28:10-04:00

Yes, I retired in 93 and that is exactly what I was told. Did it when finally settled in Florida but haven't had any need to get a copy or retrieve information. Essentially they told me that it will be much easier to get your DD-214 from your local government than the federal records folks if you were ever in need of a copy. Made all the sense in the world to me.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Mar 12 at 2017 9:46 PM

2017-03-12T21:46:48-04:00

When I separated, I was advised to have a copy filed with the local County Clerk's office in case I ever lost my copy(s), they were destroyed, etc. I never did, though, as I was concerned about my SSN, etc, becoming public record.

After speaking with the Clerk and Recorder of Deeds (the office where it is actually filed) where I live now, though, I learned that the DD214 is not necessarily accessible by the public and the SSN is not recorded along with it.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Mar 13 at 2017 12:48 AM

2017-03-13T00:48:00-04:00

They told us the same thing when I retired in 2005. I will not do it. I have a copy in a fire proof safe and a family member has a copy in a safe place. You don't have to register it at the court house.

Response by SGT David T. made Mar 13 at 2017 8:49 AM

2017-03-13T08:49:10-04:00

They told us when I got out not to do it. It has your SSN on it, so probably not a good idea to submit that form when there is no real reason to do so.

Response by SFC Andrew Miller made Mar 13 at 2017 11:18 AM

2017-03-13T11:18:08-04:00

Different counties do it a little bit differently, but whether it is recorded with the Register of Deeds, County Clerk, or Clerk of Courts it is not available to the public or accessible to the public.

It is a good idea to do so, because it is much quicker to get a certified copy locally than obtaining one from the National Archives (NPRC) or Branch of Service. I have veteran's who come into my office weekly who have lost theirs and never filed it locally. We then have to request through NPRC and it takes anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to get it back. They can be expedited for homelessness or burial benefits.

While some counties still maintain paper files, many have gone to electronic recordkeeping in systems that can only be accessed locally.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Mar 13 at 2017 12:24 PM

2017-03-13T12:24:51-04:00

For Reservists and National Guardsmen and women who haven't served enough active duty time how do they get a DD 214? I have heard that it is possible.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 13 at 2017 2:13 PM

2017-03-13T14:13:03-04:00

I sent a copy to the county courthouse at my home of record. Worked fine.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 13 at 2017 2:17 PM

2017-03-13T14:17:15-04:00

I'm not tracking I guess, a lot of posts are concerned about the DD214 becoming public record. Why would you not want your service to be a matter of record or what am I missing?