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The County Must Record Your DD-214 Free — and Many Give You Certified Copies

Under ORS 408.420 an Oregon county clerk MUST record a veteran's discharge papers in a dedicated indexed record, and there is NO RECORDING FEE for a resident veteran. The residency test has two doors: an ACTUAL RESIDENT OF THE COUNTY, or a resident AT ENTRANCE INTO SERVICE. Many counties go further and issue certified copies to the veteran free, though that is county practice rather than statute — ask yours. The practical value is a certified copy in an afternoon rather than weeks waiting on a federal archive.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

Under ORS 408.420 an Oregon county clerk MUST record a veteran's discharge papers in a dedicated indexed record, and there is NO RECORDING FEE for a resident veteran. The residency test has two doors: an ACTUAL RESIDENT OF THE COUNTY, or a resident AT ENTRANCE INTO SERVICE. Many counties go further and issue certified copies to the veteran free, though that is county practice rather than statute — ask yours. The practical value is a certified copy in an afternoon rather than weeks waiting on a federal archive.

What it's worth: Free recording of discharge papers, and often free certified copies

  • The county clerk MUST record discharge papers in a DEDICATED INDEXED RECORD.
  • NO RECORDING FEE for a resident veteran.
  • RESIDENCY HAS TWO DOORS: an actual resident of the county, OR a resident at entrance into service.
  • MANY COUNTIES ISSUE CERTIFIED COPIES TO THE VETERAN FREE — this is county practice, not statute. Ask yours.
  • Statutory basis: ORS 408.420.
  • The practical value is a certified copy the same day rather than weeks on a federal archive.

Who is entitled to it

  • You served in the U.S. armed forces.
  • Oregon county clerks.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1Take your DD-214 to the county clerk. There is no recording fee for a resident veteran.
  2. 2If you no longer live in the county but did when you entered service, that is the second door — say so.
  3. 3Ask for certified copies while you are there; many counties give them to veterans free.
  4. 4Note which county holds it. A future certified copy is a short trip if you remember where.
  5. 5Read what is on your DD-214 first and ask the clerk how access to the record is restricted before recording it.
Form
Presented at the county clerk's office
File with
Your county clerk
Documents you will need
dd214
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.
Worth knowingFree certified copies are county practice rather than statute, so it varies. The free recording itself does not.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.