Watauga County Register of Deeds: Free Discharge Recording and Copies, and the Thank-A-Veteran Discount Card

Recording and copies. The Register's Military Discharges (DD214) page: "Is there a cost for filing or getting a certified copy of my Military Discharge? No. There is no fee for filing a military discharge. Certified copies of military discharge documents are free to military veterans." To record: "The entire original DD214 is required and a Drivers License with photograph, State issued Identification Card, Passport or Military Identification Card with photograph." Its fee schedule adds that G.S. 165-11 bars fees for records furnished at the request of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in helping someone obtain veterans' benefits. Who may see them. "No. NCGS 47-113.2 does not allow these documents available for public viewing if they have been on file for less than 80 years." Copies go to the subject; agents authorised in a notarised writing by the subject or the widow or widower, by a court or by the executor; agents of the State veterans agency, VA, the Department of Defense or a court official helping with a benefit; and the State Archives. "Do I have to come in person to request a copy of my DD214? Yes." Mail, fax and email requests are refused for discharges on record less than 50 years unless they come from the State veterans agency with an authorisation form; veterans who live outside North Carolina should ask their own service officer to contact the State. No discharge details are given by phone. The Thank-A-Veteran card. "To get started, a Veteran needs to bring their Military Discharge/DD214 form along with a valid photo ID for recording in our office. There is no charge to record this document. Veterans who already have their Military Discharge/DD214 forms recorded with the Watauga County Register of Deeds need only to bring a valid photo ID to receive a Veterans Discount card." The card "is issued to Veterans at no charge" in the Vital Records office, Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is shown at participating businesses, which the page lists. It is not ID and does not prove VA eligibility. Where. Watauga County Courthouse, Room 119, 842 West King Street, Boone, NC 28607 (mail: Suite 9); 828-265-8052 for land records, 828-265-8034 for vital records, fax 828-265-7632, [email protected]. North Carolina's free recording and confidentiality rules (G.S. 47-113.2) are in the North Carolina entry.