The Howard County Recorder keeps veterans' recorded discharges closed to everyone but the veteran and next of kin and gives them copies free; its July 2025 DD214 sheet lists who may ask (the veteran, the county service office, State staff, a guardian, an attorney, a funeral director, the estate or next of kin) and sends anyone whose discharge is not on file to the Veterans Service Office.
Also called: DD-214, DD214, discharge, recording, free copy, Recorder, Torie Kelley, Honor Rewards, IC 10-17-2, Kokomo, Greentown, Russiaville.
The State rule is IC 10-17-2: free recording, a closed record and free certified copies (see the Indiana entry on county service officers and discharge records). The Recorder's page: "With the exception of veterans' military discharge records (which, by Indiana statute, are open only to the veteran or his/her next of kin), ALL records held by the Howard County Recorder are public records ... Copies of military discharge documents are available to the veteran or next-of-kin free of charge."
Asking for a copy. The Recorder's sheet "Requesting A DD214" (July 2025): "A veteran can request a copy online at the State's website or come into the Recorder's Office to request a copy. If you are unsure if the DD214 has been recorded you can call our office and our staff can assist you with looking up the document. The information needed for a request is the veteran's name, date of birth (if known), and branch of service." Who may ask: "The veteran of record, County Veteran Service office (CVSO), IDVA Staff, legal guardian, licensed attorney, funeral director, representative of the estate, next of kin of the veteran, or the Howard County Recorder's office staff can request on behalf of the veteran in office." The office "may look up a record to see if it is on file but DOES NOT furnish records over the phone/email"; a veteran whose discharge is not on file is sent to the Veterans Service Office, Room 220, 220 N Main St (765-456-2511).
Honor Rewards. The Recorder's page also links Honor Rewards, the recorder-run veteran discount programme, whose Howard County page lists local businesses' veteran discounts; ask the Recorder how its card is issued. Recorder Torie Kelley, Chief Deputy Cindy Fawcett.
Thresholds
Thresholds for Howard County Recorder: Discharge Records
Gate
Rule
Any veteran with a recorded discharge, or next of kin
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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.