Need Clarity: Should I file my DD-214 with my local county courthouse?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 10:32:49 -0400

I keep getting conflicting information...

I hear that it is a good idea, but it can lead to identity theft because it is a public document.

Response by SFC Dennis Yancy made Jul 29 at 2015 10:34 AM

SFC Dennis Yancy — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 10:34:49 -0400

Will not hurt and when you lose your copy you can get another.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 10:37 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 10:37:49 -0400

Get it iPermed. That is your official personnel record.
I've filed my DD Form 214 with my local county courthouse after I had returned from OIF 1 also. I was told to do it, but I do not recall if it was required.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 10:40 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 10:40:25 -0400

I did, but I cannot think of any case where it has come in handy.

Response by PO2 Alfonse VanHese made Jul 29 at 2015 10:41 AM

PO2 Alfonse VanHese — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 10:41:18 -0400

Yes you should, just in case heavens forbid an emergency comes up and a certified copy is need for the dealing with the said emergency.
And if the emergency is the last one in your life, it is a place for your family to retrieve it for the any of their needs in the future.

Response by SSG Joe Jordan made Jul 29 at 2015 10:54 AM

SSG Joe Jordan — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 10:54:21 -0400

Like you, I've heard conflicting stories as well. If you want it to become public record and possibly fall into identity fraud, then yes do it. If not, don't. What I did is put it in a safety deposit box at my local bank along with all my medical and military records records on an external hard drive. Hope this helps you out some.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 10:55 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 10:55:15 -0400

So, I asked one of the DA Civilians in my S-1 shop about it and she said she didn't do it. Her opinion is to keep it safe guarded in a fireproof safe in your home.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jul 29 at 2015 10:56 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 10:56:48 -0400

Our data has been hacked a dozen times. The VA, Tricare, DOD. I think it's a good idea. When you die your kids or wife can always get a copy since they lost all the ones you gave them.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 11:01 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 11:01:47 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member - as others have said, registering it with you local court house makes it easily accessible if you need a copy, but also makes it public record which *may* open you up to identity theft. Another solution (for an easily accessible copy) is to download your electronic record (your "iPerms"), encrypt it (e.g., using a PGP product like GnuPG or other encryption software), and make copies to store at home, work location, friends house, etc. This provides relatively easy access to a copy of your military record that is fairly secure and *not* public record.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 11:29 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 11:29:56 -0400

I have my original DD214 on file at the courthouse (1995). That being said, it's a calculated risk in the new technological world we live in. My DD214s from both of my deployments exist in hard copy, iPerms & scanned into a digital file. For those that maintain a bank lockbox, store a hard copy and a digital copy there for safe keeping accessible to your next of kin.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jul 29 at 2015 2:00 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 14:00:35 -0400

Yes

Response by SSG Michael O'Malley made Jul 29 at 2015 11:37 PM

SSG Michael O'Malley — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 23:37:43 -0400

I found the simplest way to do it is keep a hard copy and a digital copy at home and my attorney has a copy with my will.

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Jul 30 at 2015 11:16 AM

SMSgt Tony Barnes — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:16:22 -0400

I wouldn't...makes it a matter of public record.

Response by SPC Katherine Karpinski made Jul 30 at 2015 11:20 AM

SPC Katherine Karpinski — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:20:04 -0400

good idea to this

Response by SFC Darrell Woods made Jul 30 at 2015 6:35 PM

SFC Darrell Woods — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 18:35:28 -0400

What I done with my military papers was made triple copy. I gave one to my brother one to my son and I kept one in a safety deposit box. I physically check on all documents 2 times a year.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 1 at 2015 3:00 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 03:00:50 -0400

That's really something you're going to have to decide for yourself. I myself, I figure that my SSN is in enough government databases already, so it doesn't need to be in one more so I chose not to file my DD214.

I do have it saved as a scanned document on my laptop, desktop, and external hard drive though, as well as a copy in my Microsoft One Drive (I trust Microsoft's data storage more than I do the federal government's).

Response by CPT Alan W. made Aug 1 at 2015 3:28 AM

CPT Alan W. — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 03:28:17 -0400

I did it back when I was discharged at my dad's suggestion. It was before anyone would have been concerned about identity theft. Now, I kind of wished I hadn't. Today there are certainly better and less public ways to conserve your documents.

Response by SFC Daniel Faires made Aug 1 at 2015 10:48 AM

SFC Daniel Faires — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 10:48:49 -0400

When I got out of the USMC, I was told to do this so I did.
Then here is the best part when I chose to join the Washington Army National Guard I needed a certified copy of my DD214 or I would have had to go to Basic Training for the Army
I went straight to the courthouse got it was back at the recruiters in an hour
I highly recommend it and will do it again

Response by PFC Eric Parrish made Jul 21 at 2017 11:14 AM

PFC Eric Parrish — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 11:14:10 -0400

register your dd-214 with the court house and you can always go there for a copy. You can do this at multiple court houses, so if you move you are able to get a copy of it from any one of them it is registered with.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 21 at 2017 11:18 AM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 11:18:49 -0400

here is the thing - if you file it at the local court house, you have agreed to make it a public document - as it stands right now, it is semi private, meaning not just anybody can access it. A simple FOIA would be all it takes to access your record in the courthouse (or wherever it is stored) if you file it with the court.

I have everything that my wife would need in the event that I pass before her in a safety deposit box in our bank, I also have a duplicate copy of it in my fireproof safe. last I have a digital copy in both places. If my wife passes before me - I really do not care what happens after I die, as there is no children or close relatives in which the burden would fall to.

Response by PO3 Gregory Hott made Nov 22 at 2022 9:31 PM

PO3 Gregory Hott — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 21:31:33 -0500

I recorded mine when i got out in the 1970's. It was normal back then, but today I just don't know what I would do? I have several copies lying around. I have several documents recorded over the years. I am blessed so far never to have had my identity stolen in any way. This is a very different world to live in today!

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 23 at 2022 4:13 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 16:13:55 -0500

I personally believe there are a number of other ways to have a backup, I have back up to the backup in a few locations, very safe locations.