RCW 42.56.440

Please Note: This brochure is for Pierce County Recordings Only

What Discharge Papers in Pierce County Are Public?
Military discharge papers filed at our office before July 1, 2002 and that have been commingled with other recorded documents.

What Discharge Papers in Pierce County Are Not Public?
Military discharge papers filed at our office before July 1, 2002, that have been commingled with other recorded documents that the veteran has recorded a 'REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF DISCHARGE PAPERS' with our office.

Military discharge papers filed prior to July 1, 2002 that are not commingled with other recorded documents.

Military discharge papers filed after July 1, 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?
Per RCW 73.04.030

Request for Exemption from Public Disclosure of Discharge Papers (no charge)
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?
A veteran or a duly appointed representative may file a 'REQUEST FOR DISCLOSURE OF DISCHARGE PAPERS' designating an individual to have access and/or obtain copies of exempted military discharge papers. This form may be recorded with our office at the general public recording fee or may be maintained by the veteran.

Note: An organization cannot be assigned as a designee.

How do I get Access/Copy of an Exempt Discharge Paper?
A veteran, the veteran's next of kin, a deceased veteran's properly appointed personal representative or executor, a person holding the veteran's general power of attorney, or individuals designated, may submit a 'REQUEST FOR ACCESS/COPY OF EXEMPT DISCHARGE PAPERS' to our office in order to obtain access/copy of exempt discharge papers.

How do I Change a Designee?
Another 'REQUEST FOR DISCLOSURE OF DISCHARGE PAPERS' designating the desired individual(s) to have access and/or obtain copies of exempted military discharge papers must be filed to remove any previously filed designees. This request will be recorded with our office at the general public recording fee.

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.