Requesting DD-214s from Local Courthouses--how?

Hi everybody--

In my ongoing search for my grandfather's records, I have learned that a work-around to requesting DD214s from NARA is to check with the local county courthouse and see if there is a copy on file there (as the men were told to do this when they were discharged in a lot of cases).

Can anyone explain to me how this process works? Do I just call the county clerk's office and ask for a DD214 under FOIA, or are there other logistics involved?

An added wrinkle in my case, I don't live in the county (or even the state) that my grandfather lived and died in. If I live in Minnesota can I just call up the Allegheny County Courthouse in Pennsylvania and ask? If so, what department should I be looking to reach?

I am asking because while I am waiting for records from the NPRC in my grandfather's case (they are still around apparently), I am thinking of beginning the process with a few of my other WWII veteran relatives, and who knows if their records were destroyed in the fire or what else might have happened; this might be a better option for me.

Any kind of tutorial would be great!

Thanks for the help in advance,

Adam

 

It may not necessarily be at the "Courthouse" per se. You'll need to check with the "Clerk Recorders Office" it should be the same place where the county maintains vital records such as birth and death certificates. Your first stop should be the County Veterans Services Office. A little time with the phone book should get you in the right direction pretty quick.

 

Perfect, thanks for the help formerjughead!

 

Interesting! I've never heard of doing that. Great information to have. Thanks~

 

You get info like that from NPRC in St Loius. National Personell Records Center. They have a website and you can fill out a form and mail it (USPS mail).

 

Depending on the county, this is a creative way to possibly get a copy as many may not fulfill all the requirements of the NPRC, and many counties may have had tax breaks or other reasons for having a copy of this record.

 

During the discharge process soldiers were strongly advised to have their separation documents recorded at the the county Auditors Office, or County Recorder's Office, or where ever documents are recorded at their county. The reason was in case the original records were destroyed or lost, the vet would still have access to these documents. It's amazing how many actually did this.
In 1973 a fire at the National Archives, where all the original records are kept, destroyed 80% of the Army and Army Air Force personnel records. If the vet had his records recorded it is still available. Privacy policy at the local courthouse may become a problem, each county seems to have it's own rules.

 

Familys that elect to have a VA sponcered service at their local cemetery must produce proof of his/her military status. I wondered if these records were on file and if they were available. It appears they are for next of kin. Below is a response from our local cemetery.

I am aware of the 1972 fire you referred to and have run up against difficulties locating discharge papers because of it. What an unfortunate tragedy! Cemeteries in general and Greenacres Memorial Park in particular may or may not have copies of a veteran’s DD214’s on file. Speaking for Greenacres, we collect and retain copies of discharge papers when ordering VA headstones for families. Most often the documents are provided by families themselves. Sometimes we track them down from the VA on behalf of families. If we have discharge papers in our files they are most likely readily available from other sources. Because DD214’s are personal and confidential records, we can only release copies to third parties with expressed written consent by the next of kin.


If the service was held many years ago, the family's copy of the separation may be lost and this could be a possible source.