Cook County Clerk: Free DD-214 Recording and Military and Veterans Discount Card

The Cook County Clerk records a DD-214 free, keeps it out of the public record, and gives a free certified copy; the Clerk's page offers this to honorably discharged veterans. A county Military and Veterans Discount Card, for any veteran or service member with proof of service, is honoured by participating businesses.

Also called: DD-214, DD214, county clerk, discount card, veteran ID card, certified copy.

For: Veteran or service member, survivor.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

Cook County, ILCounty

DD-214 recording. The Cook County Clerk's Veterans Service Office, 118 N. Clark Street, Room 120, Chicago, records a DD-214 free of charge and gives a complimentary certified copy at filing. Recorded DD-214s are not public records. The veteran must come in person with the DD-214 and a government ID such as a driver licence, State ID, passport, retired military ID, CAC or VA card. Call 312-603-5788 to find a DD-214 recorded earlier; copies from before 1960 can take a week. The Clerk's page says the service is for "honorably discharged veterans"; a veteran with a general discharge should ask. The Assessor accepts a DD-214 certified by the Clerk for the veterans' exemptions. Military and Veterans Discount Card. Run by the Clerk with the Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs, it gives any veteran or active-duty member with proof of service (a DD-214 with photo ID, VA card, military or retired ID, or a licence with the veteran designation) a county card that hundreds of participating businesses honour with discounts. Apply online with a photo or in person.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Cook County Clerk: Free DD-214 Recording and Military and Veterans Discount Card
Gate	Rule
Veteran or service member	Recording is offered to honorably discharged veterans; the discount card to any veteran or service member with proof of service.

Sources

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-01.

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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.