Bates County Recorder of Deeds: Free Armed Forces Discharge Recording and Copies

Mo. Rev. Stat. 59.480 makes the recording of a discharge free and limits who may see or copy it; see the Missouri entry. The Recorder's page: "The Recorder's Office records and files copies of Armed Forces discharge papers for all veterans who reside in the county. This is a free service." Under "Military Discharges" it adds that discharges are "restricted from public search and may only be accessed by the veteran or authorized party. A veteran or authorized party can request a copy from our copy center for no additional charge. If a military discharge is filed in another county, you must contact that county's Recorder of Deeds Office for a copy." "Military separation papers" are exempt from the State formatting rules. The fee list's "Discharges $7.50" sits under tax liens and is a tax lien release, not a military discharge. The statute sets no residence test for recording, so a veteran living elsewhere who wants a discharge filed here should ask. Where. Recorder of Deeds Danyelle Baker (chief deputy Stephanie Austin, deputy Robin Kuhns), Bates County Administration Building, 103 W. Dakota, Room 3, Butler, MO 64730; 660-386-7776, option 5; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, closed noon to 1.