County Clerk
L. Brandon Steinmann
Recording Division
210 W. Davis, Conroe, TX 77301
MAIL: P.O. Box 959, Conroe, TX 77305
936-539-7885
CCOPR@mctx.org
Military Discharge Records (DD-214)
Texas Government Code Chapter 552.140
Overview
Military Discharge Records, also known as the DD-214 form, is a document given to a person who has completed their service in the Armed Forces of the United States. The Defense Department issues to each veteran a DD-214, identifying the veteran's condition of discharge - honorable, general, other than honorable, dishonorable or bad conduct. It contains information normally needed to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment, and membership in veterans' organizations.
Not required but highly encouraged, a Veteran who files their DD-214 with the County Clerk creates a permanent record for future proof of service for veterans’ benefits and for safekeeping. Doing so allows the County Clerk’s Office to provide a certified copy of a DD-214 should a qualified applicant need a replacement copy in the future.
An original, complete DD-214 is required in order to be filed with the County Clerk and it will be returned once the filing is completed. If you do not have an original DD-214, a certified copy from the Military can be submitted to the County Clerk. The Military limits the number of copies allowed during the lifetime of the Veteran, but the County Clerk does not; therefor, it is beneficial to Veterans to submit their forms to the County Clerk.
If a certified copy is needed from the Military, one can be requested at www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records or submitted by mail or fax using the SF-180 Form which is provided on the same website. For customer service, please contact the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri by calling 314-801-0800. With that newly acquired certified copy, you may file it with the County Clerk.
There is no fee to file a DD-214 with the County Clerk. Texas Local Gov’t Code § 192.002.
Requesting a Certified Copy from the County Clerk
DD-214 records are confidential for 75 years following the date it is recorded. Only certain individuals are legally allowed to request a copy from the County Clerk. As described by Texas law, these are the individuals who are qualified:
- The Veteran themselves who is the subject of the record,
- Spouse, Child or Parent of the Veteran,
- If there is no living spouse, child or parent, then the nearest living relative of the Veteran,
- Legal guardian of the Veteran,
- Person named by the Veteran, or a legal guardian, spouse, child, nearest living relative, or personal representative of the estate described in a power of attorney according to Texas Estates Code, Ch. 572,
- Personal representative of the estate of the Veteran,
- Another governmental body,
- Authorized representative of a funeral home assisting in the burial of the Veteran.
Request for Certified Copy of Military Discharge Records (DD-214)
Note: If submitting by mail:
- Our Mailing Address: P.O. Box 959, Conroe, TX 77305.
- Include a self-addressed and stamped envelope for us to return the copies to you.
- There is no cost to request a DD-214 certified copy.
- Include a photo copy of a valid I.D. that corresponds to the Requestor’s information.
- THE FORM MUST BE NOTARIZED.
