Cole County Recorder of Deeds: Free Military Discharge Records

The Cole County Recorder of Deeds, in the Jefferson City courthouse (573-634-9115), records military discharges and keeps them closed under RSMo 59.480; there is no fee for a request or for copies, which go only to the people the statute authorizes, on the State's request form.

Also called: DD-214, DD214, discharge, military discharge, recording, no fee, RSMo 59.480, Recorder of Deeds, closed record, 573-634-9115, Jefferson City, Russellville, Eugene, Centertown, St. Thomas, Taos, Wardsville, Lohman.

For: Veteran or service member, survivor.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

Cole County, MOCounty

What the Recorder says. The Military Records page: "Effective August 28, 2003, Military Discharge Papers are regulated pursuant to RSMo 59.480. This legislation moved to place those records in a restricted and confidential category under the authority of the county Recorder of Deeds in Missouri. All requests must comply with these regulations. There is no fee for the request and/or copies." The office's Functions page describes its index of military discharges ("name, address, service branch, discharge date and recorded book and page numbers"), adding that "These records are closed and may only be obtained by authorized parties." How to ask. Use the request form the page links (the Missouri Recorders' Association's form for military discharge papers), which names the record and states the requester's authority under the statute; the Missouri entry on discharge recording sets out who may get a copy. Where. Cole County Recorder of Deeds, Cole County Courthouse, 311 East High Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101; 573-634-9115.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Cole County Recorder of Deeds: Free Military Discharge Records
Gate	Rule
Any veteran with a discharge	Requests and copies are free; copies go to the people RSMo 59.480 authorizes. No rating is needed.

Sources

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-23.

What changed then:

First published.

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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.