Wayne Recorder: Practice targets veterans who are charged for form that is free
Wayne County Recorder Jane Carmichael and the Ohio Recorders’ Association (ORA) urge veterans to be aware of exploitative practices targeting military veterans who are being charged for services that are available for free.
DD214 Direct, a company based in Arizona, is soliciting veterans in Ohio to purchase a copy of its DD214 form − a certificate of release or discharge from active duty − for a fee ranging from $79 to $98. While the practice may be legal, Jane Carmichael and other county recorders across Ohio want to ensure veterans are informed about the free services they are entitled to.
Veterans may obtain a free copy of their military records through the local Veteran’s Service Commission and record their DD214 at the local County Recorder’s Office at no charge. The DD214 form is essential for veterans to access benefits like VA loans, disability compensation and reduced medical costs.
In recent months, recorder offices across Ohio received DD214 forms that were paid for by veterans from DD214 Direct through the mail, along with a limited Power of Attorney granting the recorder the authority to file both documents on behalf of the veteran.
To safeguard veterans from exploitative, unnecessary fees and inform the public, the ORA is working to raise awareness among veterans about the practices. The ORA is looking into potential legislation aimed at regulating companies like DD214 Direct and mandating the disclosure of the availability of the services at no charge.
Veterans can request a copy of the DD214 at the National Archives website at www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records or print a Standard Form-180 and mail or fax it to:
National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63138; fax, 314-801-9195.
For more information or assistance, contact Carmichael's office at 330-287-5464 or jcarmichael@wayne-ohio.org or the Wayne County Veterans Service Commission.
Dan Starcher is the Public Communications Coordinator for Wayne County.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Carmichael cautions veterans of exploitative form practices
