Lake County Clerk's Recording Division: Free DD-214 Recording

The Lake County Clerk's Recording Division, which keeps discharges recorded in Lake County back to 1919, records a DD-214 free and releases copies only to the veteran, a dependent, the county service officer, VA, or someone with the veteran's notarized authorization, on its request form with photo ID.

Also called: DD-214, DD214, discharge, County Clerk, Recorder of Deeds, Recording Division, Waukegan.

For: Veteran or service member, survivor.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

Lake County, ILCounty

The Recording Division of the Lake County Clerk's Office took over the former Recorder of Deeds' records, including military discharges recorded in Lake County since 1919. Its fee list reads "Certificates of military discharge service records - DD214's: Recording - No charge", and its recording fee page says military discharges are free to the veteran. Copies. Use the Clerk's Request for Military Service Discharge Record, with a copy of photo ID. Under Counties Code section 3-5015, as Public Act 93-468 (which the form cites) amended it, only the person named, a dependent, Lake County's veterans service officer, a representative of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, or someone presenting notarized written authorization from the veteran or a dependent may have one. A discharge never recorded in Lake County must come from the National Personnel Records Center on the SF-180, which the page also links. Office: 18 N. County Street, 6th Floor, Waukegan (847-377-2575), Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Lake County Clerk's Recording Division: Free DD-214 Recording
Gate	Rule
Veterans, dependents and authorised requesters	Recording a DD-214 is free. No rating is needed.

Sources

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-03.

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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.