Recording of Military Discharges (DD214s)

The DD Form 214 is the United States Department of Defense's Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

As one of the general duties of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the License Department maintains permanent records of military discharge papers. Montgomery County military veterans may file their military discharge papers at the Montgomery County Circuit Court License Department.

Military discharge records include:

• Copy 4, DD Form 214 issued by the United States Government;
• Any copy of DD Form 214 with a raised seal issued by the United States National Personnel Records Center; or
• United States National Archives Form 13038.

Customers must provide identification and a Social Security Number when requesting copies of their discharge papers. The service of recording the records is free, and veterans receive one certified copy of their discharge papers free of charge. The fee is $5.50 for each additional copy.

Military discharge papers (DD 214’s) are not public records, and the inspection of these records is restricted as stipulated by Maryland Code, Title 2. Court Personnel, Subtitle 2. General Duties of Clerk, § 2-207. Recording and Indexing of Discharge Papers Required. Maryland Laws are available on the Maryland State Law Library website.