RCW 42.17.310
Please Note: This brochure is for Pierce County Recordings Only
What Discharge Papers in Pierce County Are Public?
Military discharge papers recorded in the Pierce County Auditor?s Office between January 1, 1969 through June 12, 2002 are public record.
What Discharge Papers in Pierce County Are Not Public?
Military Discharge papers recorded from 1921 through December 30, 1968.
Military Discharge papers recorded June 13, 2002 or later.
Any veteran that opts to record a Request for Exemption from Public Disclosure of Discharge Papers for a discharge paper recorded between
January 1, 1969 and June 12, 2002.
Please note that these dates are recording dates not the date of discharge.
Who Can Access Records After Recording?
Upon recording the Request for Exemption from Public Disclosure of Discharge Papers, only the veteran, the veteran?s next of kin, a deceased veteran?s properly appointed personal representative or executor, a person holding the veteran?s Power of Attorney, or anyone else designated in writing by the veteran to receive the records. The next of kin of deceased veterans have the same rights to full access to the record.
Who is considered next of kin?
Next of kin are the veteran?s widow or widower who has not remarried, son, daughter, father, mother, brother and sister.
What are the recording fees?
Request for Exemption from Public Disclosure of Discharge Papers ($7.00)
Request for Disclosure of Discharge Papers (no charge)
Revocation and Re-designation of Disclosure of Discharge Papers (no charge)
Request for Access/Copy of Exempt Discharge Papers (no charge)
How is a Designee Assigned?
The Request for Exemption of Disclosure of Discharge Papers contains an area to designate someone other than next of kin to have access to the exempt record. This form is used if the Discharge was recorded in Pierce County between
January 1, 1969 and June 12, 2002.
If the discharge was recorded between 1921 and 12/30/1968 and June 13, 2002 and later, complete and record the ?Request for Disclosure of Discharge Papers?.
Note: An organization can?t be assigned as a designee.
How do I get Access/Copy of an Exempt Discharge Paper?
A veteran may have access to his/her exempt military discharge. ID will be required.
The veteran?s next of kin, a deceased veteran?s properly appointed personal representative or executor, a person holding the veteran?s Power of Attorney or individuals designated, may complete and record a ?Request for Access/Copy of Exempt Discharge Papers?. There is no fee to record this document.
How do I Change a Designee?
Complete and record a Revocation and Re-designation of Disclosure of Discharge
Papers.
Who Do I Contact To Get Certified Copies of My Discharge If I Choose Not To Record?
Call the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs at 1-800-562-2308. There are two offices in this area, one in Olympia and one in Seattle. Your call will verify that a person is available who has authority to make certified copies.
