Veterans should file forms with county By Margaret Gibbons Staff writer

Veterans may file military discharge forms (DD214) with the recorder of deeds offices in the
county in which they now reside to expedite the retrieval of the record at their time of death.

Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Nancy J. Becker said to make it easier for the survivors of
a veteran of the U.S. armed forces, the record can be placed on file now for no charge.

The recorder of deeds office in both Montgomery and Bucks counties serve as the custodians of all
military discharges, she said. Veterans normally file their discharge papers in the county and
state in which they were living at the time of their discharge, Becker explained.

When a veteran dies, particularly veterans whose families want a military burial, "the funeral
directors immediately come to us to get a copy of the discharge," said Becker.

While the county can provide a copy within hours if the discharge papers are on file, it could take
several days to secure copies from the national discharge archives in St. Louis, according to Becker.

The Montgomery County office provides the veteran with up to four certified copies of the DD214 form
for free while Bucks County provides three free certified copies.

Veterans can bring the form to the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Office at One Montgomery Plaza,
Swede Street, Norristown, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. In Bucks County, veterans can record
the form at the Bucks County Recorder of Deeds Office on the second floor of the county courthouse in
Doylestown, between 7:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.

Questions? In Montgomery County, call 610-278-3289; in Bucks, 215-348-6209.