Miscellaneous
Kansas Military Discharge Records: Free Recording, Closed Records
A Kansas register of deeds records an honorably discharged veteran’s discharge free and gives the first five certified copies free; the recorded DD-214 is closed to the public and released only to the veteran, close family, heirs and agents, a funeral director or a government agency that needs it.
Also called: 45-221, 73-210a, 73-210, 65-2418, DD214, discharge record, open records, confidential, register of deeds, next of kin, Adjutant General archives, vital records.
For: Veteran or service member, survivor.
Where it applies
Written for the jurisdictions listed here.
- KansasState
Recording is free. K.S.A. 73-210a: whenever "the discharge or other official records of military service of any person who has been honorably discharged" are presented to a county register of deeds, the register "shall record the same ... and no fee shall be charged for such recordation", and on request of the veteran, an agent or a relative "no fee shall be charged for the first five copies". K.S.A. 73-210 bars any city, county or state official from charging to certify a copy of a discharge, except that a register may charge for copies beyond the five, and the Adjutant General may charge unless the person shows VA or Office of Veterans Services correspondence that the copy is needed for a VA claim.
The record is closed. The Kansas Open Records Act, K.S.A. 45-221(a)(46), exempts "Any information or material received by the register of deeds of a county from military discharge papers, DD Form 214." The papers are disclosed only to the veteran; the veteran's immediate family and lineal descendants; heirs, agents or assigns; the licensed funeral director with custody of the body; a federal, state or local agency that requires it; when needed to perfect a claim of military service or honorable discharge, or a dependent's claim; and, with the Office of Veterans Services' written approval, a researcher. A recorded discharge can be retrieved in days, which is faster than a request to the National Personnel Records Center.
The Adjutant General's archive. The Kansas National Guard Military Archives holds Kansas Army and Air National Guard records from 1946 to 2009, World War II statements of service (1941 to 1946, before the DD-214) and active duty DD-214s from 1946 to 1991; request them on a Standard Form 180 by email to Retirement Services, about two weeks (785-646-0134). For discharges after 1991, call the Office of Veterans Services, 785-296-3976. The Kansas Historical Society's State Archives holds discharge records of about 1951 to 1990 on microfilm.
Vital records for a VA claim. K.S.A. 65-2418(a)(2) bars a fee for a certified birth, death, fetal death, marriage or divorce certificate, or a search, when the person shows VA or Office of Veterans Services correspondence that it is needed to apply for VA benefits; the second and later copies cost the usual fee.
Thresholds
| Gate | Rule |
|---|---|
| An honorably discharged veteran | Free recording and five free certified copies under 73-210a are for a person honorably discharged; no rating, wartime or length-of-service test. |
| Closed to the public | K.S.A. 45-221(a)(46) exempts a recorded DD-214 from open records and lists who may receive it: the veteran, immediate family and lineal descendants, heirs, agents and assigns, a funeral director, a government agency, a service claim, or an approved researcher. |
| The Adjutant General holds a second archive | Kansas National Guard records from 1946 to 2009, World War II statements of service from 1941 to 1946, and active duty DD-214s from 1946 to 1991, requested on Standard Form 180. |
Sources
- K.S.A. 73-210a, free recording by register of deeds; copiesOfficial
- K.S.A. 73-210, charges for copiesOfficial
- K.S.A. 45-221, records not required to be open, subsection (a)(46)Official
- K.S.A. 65-2418, vital statistics fees; exemptionsOfficial
- Kansas Adjutant General’s Department, Military Records (read 2026-10-24 in a visible Chrome window)Official
Updated
Last updated .
What changed then:
- Eligibility rule “The Adjutant General holds a second archive” now reads: “Kansas National Guard records from 1946 to 2009, World War II statements of service from 1941 to 1946, and active duty DD-214s from 1946 to 1991, requested on Standard Form 180.”
- Eligibility rule “Any veteran with a discharge document” renamed “An honorably discharged veteran”.
- Eligibility rule “An honorably discharged veteran” now reads: “Free recording and five free certified copies under 73-210a are for a person honorably discharged; no rating, wartime or length-of-service test.”
- And 13 more changes.
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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.