Delaware County, Indiana

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Military Discharge Records

The Recoder's Office records military discharge records free of charge.  Copies of these records are also available to qualified persons free of charge.  Individuals entitled to discharge records include the following according to IC 10-17-2-4:
 
Person to whom a discharge record may be released
(a) As used in this section, "photographic identification" means an identification document that:
        (1) shows the name of the individual to whom the document was issued;
        (2) shows a photograph of the individual to whom the document was issued;
        (3) includes an expiration date indicating that the document has not expired; and
        (4) was issued by the United States or the state of Indiana.
(b) A discharge record is not a public record under IC 5-14-3. A county recorder may provide a certified copy of a discharge record only to the following persons:
        (1) The veteran who is the subject of the discharge record if the veteran provides photographic identification.
        (2) A person who provides photographic identification that identifies the person as a county or city service officer.
(3) A person who provides photographic identification that identifies the person as an employee of the Indiana department of veterans' affairs.
        (4) A person who:
            (A) is a funeral director licensed under IC 25-15; and
            (B) assists with the burial of the veteran who is the subject of the discharge record;
        if the person provides photographic identification and the person's funeral director license.
        (5) If the veteran who is the subject of the discharge record is deceased, the spouse or next of kin of the deceased, if the spouse or next of kin provides photographic identification and a copy of the veteran's death certificate.
        (6) The following persons under a court order, if the person provides photographic identification and a certified copy of the court order:
            (A) The attorney in fact of the person who is the subject of the discharge record.
            (B) The guardian of the person who is the subject of the discharge record.
            (C) If the person who is the subject of the discharge record is deceased, the personal representative of the estate of the deceased.
    (c) To the extent technologically feasible, a county recorder shall take precautions to prevent the disclosure of a discharge record filed with the county recorder before May 15, 2007. After May 14, 2007, a county recorder shall ensure that a discharge record filed with the county recorder is maintained in a separate, confidential, and secure file.
    (d) Disclosure of a discharge record by the county recorder under this section is subject to IC 5-14-3-10.
As added by P.L.174-2007, SEC.1.
 
Additional information may be found at the Delaware County Veterans' Service Office.