California Free Recording and Copies of Discharge Papers

No public office in California may charge to record, index or certify a DD-214 or other discharge document, or for a certified record used in a VA or state veterans benefit claim. Only the veteran, family, a representative, a veterans office or a federal official can get a copy.

Also called: DD-214, DD214, county recorder, discharge papers, certified copy, Government Code 6107, 27381.

For: Veteran or service member, survivor.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

CaliforniaState

Government Code section 6107 bars the State, a county, a city and any of their officers, notaries included, from charging any fee to record, index or issue certified copies of a discharge, certificate of service, notice of separation or report of separation, or to search for or certify any public record used in a claim for federal veterans benefits or state veterans benefits. Section 27381 says the same for the county recorder and lists the Space Force, the women's corps and the nurse corps. A certified copy goes only to the veteran with photo identification, a family member or legal representative who certifies the relationship, a state, county or city veterans office on written request, or a federal official. A request by mail, fax or digital image needs a notarized statement under penalty of perjury that the requester is one of those people.

Thresholds

Thresholds for California Free Recording and Copies of Discharge Papers
Gate	Rule
Discharge papers	Any veteran can record a discharge free. Copies go only to the people the statute names.

Sources

California Government Code section 6107Official
California Government Code section 27381Official

Updated

Last updated 2026-09-30.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.