Veterans, remember to record discharge papers

As we honor all service members and veterans of the U.S. armed forces on Veterans Day, Phyllis K. Walters, McHenry County recorder, urges all veterans to record their military discharge (DD-214) papers.

These valuable documents are needed for veterans to apply for benefits including medical care and VA Loans to name a few.

Recording your DD-214 papers ensures that certified copies of these documents are always attainable at the recorder's office in Woodstock.

All veterans should be aware that if a DD-214 is lost or misplaced it can take 21 days or longer to receive a new one from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis.

Illinois State Statutes allow county recorders to record military discharge papers at no charge; the McHenry County recorder's office also furnishes two free certified copies at time of recording.

All other requests for certified copies of DD-214's must be accompanied by photo identification and signature verification.

Recorder Walters wants all McHenry County citizens to know that significant precautions have taken place in her office to help protect private records from identity theft.

All computer images of military discharge papers have been replaced with a marker page which lists only the type of document, veteran's name and number of pages contained in the DD-214. Another preventative measure was to install a computer software program to locate and redact identifiable Social Security numbers on recorded documents. These private numbers can now be hidden from view on the office's computer system and on the Web, but the original document is not altered in any way.

"I have cautioned my staff on the realities of identity theft," Walters said. "The recorder's office will continue to take every precaution necessary and enforce strict procedures to ensure the privacy and protection of all McHenry County citizens."

For details, call Walters at (815) 334-4109.