Veterans can record discharge papers with county

As we honor all service members and veterans of the United States Armed Forces on Veterans Day Weekend, Phyllis K. Walters, McHenry County Recorder, urges all veterans to record their military discharge, DD-214, papers.

Recording your DD-214 papers ensures that certified copies of these documents are always attainable at the Recorder’s Office in Woodstock. These valuable documents are needed for veterans to apply for benefits including medical care and VA Loans to name a few. If DD-214 papers are lost or misplaced, it can take 21 days or longer to receive a new one from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Mo.

Illinois law allows County Recorder’s to record military discharge papers at no charge; the McHenry County Recorder’s Office also furnishes two free certified copies.

Walters has taken significant precautions 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 preventive measure was to install a computer software program to locate and redact identifiable Social Security numbers on recorded documents, but the original document is not altered in any way. The office also has a Deed Notification Program which helps protect property owners from forged deeds. A postcard notice is sent to the property granter alerting them to a change of ownership or title.

“I have cautioned my staff on the realities of identity and property theft, Walters said. “The Recorder’s Office will continue to take every precaution necessary and enforce strict procedures to insure the privacy and protection of all McHenry County citizens.”

Call (815) 334-4109.