Is it common for service members to file their DD 214 with the local county clerk's office when they retire or leave the service?

CPT Jacob Swartout — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 00:10:11 -0400

Should there be any cause of concern of the system checks failing that could allow someone to view your documents besides the actual service member? While filing it with the local county clerk's office is beneficial in many ways, there still are retirees and former service members who remain hesitant to choose that option.

Response by SGT Charles Napierala made Apr 26 at 2017 12:16 AM

SGT Charles Napierala — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 00:16:34 -0400

Please do not file your DD214 with your local county clerk. This is strongly recommended against in your SFL-TAP process. Filing with the county clerk makes your DD214 public record and anybody can gain access to it, with positive or negative intentions.

If you're looking for a way to get your DD214 easily accessible, scan it to yourself and safe it somewhere securely.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Apr 26 at 2017 12:25 AM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 00:25:56 -0400

In this day & age of electronic media, I personally don't see a need. I always keep a few paper copies on hand (stored securely).
I also have mine saved on external hard drives, a few laptops, desktops, & even the cloud. I also recommend keeping a copy on a thumb drive (but only if you don't have a habit of losing something like that). Thumb drives, while easily accessible and transportable, are also pretty unsecure (secure flash drives can cost big $$).

Response by SFC Craig Starr made Apr 26 at 2017 12:31 AM

SFC Craig Starr — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 00:31:34 -0400

Absolutely ! It makes it a public record but more importantly it will be safe keeping in case you need a certified true copy or your family ever wants to research your career after your gone or in the event your incompasitated.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2017 1:12 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 01:12:08 -0400

I never did and see no need to. I keep copies of mine in a safe in a specially marked folder where I have consolidated key documents my family would need quickly if I pass suddenly. Plus electronic copies on my computer and a hard drive backup. I mean think about it--I would never put my will, life insurance info, etc on a public record system, so what makes the DD214 so special? There is nothing special or especially secure these days about a county courthouse records. The real issue here is how have you prepared your family for an emergency if something happens to you. If they have no clue where to find your key documents quickly, THAT'S the real problem, not whether you have it at home, or a bank safe deposit box, or a courthouse. Same with something like a medical power of attorney. You wouldnt put that in a courthouse for safekeeping. You'd keep that somewhere that was readily accessible by your family and make sure key people know where that is. Just put your 214 next to it.

Response by PO1 Shannon Drosdak made Apr 26 at 2017 1:18 AM

PO1 Shannon Drosdak — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 01:18:49 -0400

Honestly I hadn't even heard of this till your post. No one ever mentioned it to me when I was getting out, just told me to make copies and put them in my safe along with adding one to my will and giving one to my daughter. I don't think I'd feel comfortable with all my personal information being public record. There's enough of that already out there thank to the Internet.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Apr 26 at 2017 4:57 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 04:57:23 -0400

So I am not seeing how locking a DD214 in a safe protects the Veteran from public release of most of the information on the DD214.

https://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/foia-info.html

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and The Privacy Act

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) FOIA and Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) FOIA and Official Personnel Folders (OPF) The Privacy Act

Response by COL David Turk made Apr 26 at 2017 5:20 AM

COL David Turk — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 05:20:19 -0400

If you have Army Air Force Mutual Aide Association (AAFMAA) life insurance, they will keep a certified copy on file for you and/or your dependents. They will keep certified copies of other important documents too.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Apr 26 at 2017 7:51 AM

MSgt John McGowan — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 07:51:19 -0400

Cpt. I filed mine with the county clerk office and they were open to the public. But as I understand it a attorney went in and stole a SS number of a vet and used it for I'll gained purposes. Now most County clerk's lock them up and even I have to prove that mine is there before I can see it or get a copy. I would ask my County clerk about it before I filed with the county.

Response by SGT David T. made Apr 26 at 2017 8:00 AM

SGT David T. — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 08:00:14 -0400

I have no idea why anyone would do this. It serves no purpose. With a little bit of effort, one can make sure a copy is always safe. If worse comes to worse, you can always request a new copy.

Response by MSG Mamerto Perez made Apr 26 at 2017 8:05 AM

MSG Mamerto Perez — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 08:05:57 -0400

I did for the Record

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2017 8:36 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 08:36:27 -0400

With the adoption of the DoD ID Number taking the place of the Social Security number, the amount of pertinent info shared publically lessens for newer retirees (when they decide to update the 214 to use that new number). However, if you rely upon the idea that you can always request a copy later, remember that there was a fire a while back in St. Louis that makes retrieval of my grandfather's records impossible.
There also comes the fact that you may have to file your 214 in the states that exempt military retirement pay from state taxes.
If you are concerned about privacy, check your annual credit reports and audit your credit card and bank statements frequently. Recovery from identity theft is a lot better today than 15 years ago. Most banking and credit agencies have an active fraud detection department (USAA comes to mind and has contacted me on several occasions) and policy to get you back on track quickly.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 26 at 2017 11:32 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 11:32:11 -0400

There was a time this was recommended but in the digital age it is not something that is needed or recommended.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2017 11:49 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 11:49:32 -0400

i did it once and it didn't hurt me at all, not sure what the concern might be.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Apr 26 at 2017 11:51 AM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 11:51:21 -0400

I did. In case I lost my copy. That was in 1975.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2017 1:52 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 13:52:21 -0400

It is in Iowa, where this filing enables the Vet to qualify for reductions in property taxes due to Homestead relief.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Nov 3 at 2023 9:38 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 09:38:00 -0400

It is public record. I did file mine.