Wake County Register of Deeds: Free DD-214 Recording and Copies

The State requires every register of deeds to record discharges and give certified copies free; see the North Carolina entry. The Wake County Register of Deeds lists both as free in its fee schedule: "Military Discharge recording - DD-214 Free" and "Certified copy - DD-214 Free". How. Request forms are at the Register of Deeds' office, 300 S. Salisbury St., Suite 1700, Raleigh, or by calling 919-856-5460 or emailing [email protected]. The person recording or asking for a copy must show government-issued photo ID. Under G.S. 47-113.2(c) a discharge is accepted for filing only when presented in person. Who can get a copy. A discharge recorded since January 1, 2004 is closed to the public. The statute lets these people record or obtain copies: the veteran; the veteran's widow or widower; an agent authorised in a notarised writing by the veteran or the widow or widower, by a court, or by the executor of a deceased veteran; agents of the State Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, VA, the Department of Defense or a court official helping the veteran or beneficiaries get a benefit; and the State Archives. Wake's page shortens the agent category to "agents and representatives of the subject authorized in writing by the subject", and cites the statute as "47-113(2)"; the section is 47-113.2, and its wider list governs. A discharge on file for more than 80 years becomes public.