MILITARY DISCHARGE DOCUMENTS 

North Carolina law requires that the Register of Deeds record any official discharge, or official certificate of lost discharge, from the army, navy, marine corps, or any other branch of the armed forces of the United States that is presented to him or her.

FEES

The military discharges are recorded without charge and copies are issued without charge as a service to our veterans.

RESTRICTED ACCESS

Unlike all other records contained in the Register of Deeds Office military discharge documents are considered a public record with restricted access unless they have been on file for 50 years or more.

HOW TO OBTAIN A COPY

In accordance with N.C.G.S. 47-113.2(b)(1) only the following are authorized to record and/or obtain a copy of a military discharge document:

•  The Veteran named in the document

•  Agent or representative of the veteran authorized in writing by:

•  The veteran or veteran's widow or widower in a notarized authorization

•  A court representing the subject

•  The veteran's executor acting on behalf of the deceased veteran

•  Authorized agent of the NC Division of Veteran Affairs, the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the US Department of Defense, or a court official who is assisting the veteran or veteran's beneficiaries to obtain a benefit.

•  Agent or representative of the NC State Archives

In order to obtain a copy of a military discharge document the following authorizations and identifications are required:

Requestor Authorization and/or ID Required

Veteran named in document valid government issued picture ID

Veteran's widow or widower a notarized authorization from the veteran and a valid government issued picture ID

Veteran's executor Letter of Testamentary and a valid

government issued picture ID