The Stark County Recorder's Office is pleased to announce a new initiative benefiting our United States Military Veterans. This program allows Stark County veterans to obtain a document identification card from our office. This card will display a picture of the veteran as well as various information regarding his or her service to our country.

In Ohio, the office of the county recorder is responsible for maintaining veterans' military service discharge records, known in military parlance as a DD214 form. These discharge records are utilized by veterans to prove their eligibility for certain benefits their military service has earned. This card contains their specific document number, so the discharge record can be rapidly located when needed.

In order to receive an identification card, a veteran must record their military discharge with the Stark County Recorder's Office and show TWO forms of  current identification, at least one of which bears a photograph.

  • Valid Ohio Drivers License/Identification Card
  • Original or Certified Birth Certificate
  • Social Security Card
  • Identification card from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Valid United States Passport
  • Valid Conceal and Carry Permit
  • United States Armed Forces discharge record (DD214)
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Veteran's Discharge Records

Ohio Revised Code 317.24 allows you to safeguard your discharge papers by recording them in the Recorder's Office at no cost to you. 

DD214 forms are used to document military service in a number of cases including the following:

  • V.A. Home Loans
  • V.A. Hospital Services
  • Student Loans
  • Identification
  • Burial Benefits

If the form is not recorded with us, then unfortunate circumstances such as fire, loss or the destruction of this document can result in unneeded delays while the documents are sent away for.

Effective April 7, 2009 With the passage of Senate Bill 248, veterans discharge records are no longer considered public record. Therefore, only ‘authorized parties’ are allowed to view or receive a copy of any DD214. Authorized party is defined as follows:

  • The person who is the subject of the record of discharge;
  • A county veterans service officer, or attorney-in-fact, agent or other representative of the person who is the subject of the record of discharge, if authorized to inspect or copy the record of discharge by that person in a power of attorney or other document;
  • A person authorized, for good cause shown, by a court of record to inspect or copy the record of discharge;
  • If the person who is subject of the record of discharge is deceased, the executor or administrator, or an heir, legatee, or devisee, of the person’s estate or a funeral director who is to perform the funeral for the deceased person.

If such person is not authorized, only redacted copies containing name, rank, date of birth, date of discharge and type of discharge will be provided. ORC 317.24 also states that the county recorder shall furnish to any authorized party one certified copy of the DD214. Any additional copies will be charged $2.00 per page and $1.00 per certification.

In accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 317.24 (2)(a) any veterans discharge records recorded within the past 75 years is not considered a public record. Therefore, any document that has been on record for 75 years or more, before the date of request, does not apply to any redaction law.

Also, applications can be completed to expunge the person’s record of discharge, separation program number, separation code, or Social Security number. Should you have any questions, don't hesitate to call or stop by our office to find out more about this service.

The Stark County Veteran's Commission is located at 2955 Wise Avenue NW, Canton, OH 44708. Their phone number is 330-451-7457.

Protect your important papers by recording them with the Stark County Recorder.