Veterans' ID Cards

In Ohio, the Recorder's Office is responsible for maintaining Veterans' military service discharge records. These records are used by Veterans to prove their eligibility for certain benefits their military service has earned. Instead of carrying around the paperwork, the Veteran will now be able to present a personal photo ID card. If you already have a photo ID card from the VA, you may not need one from the Recorder's Office. We are only allowed to issue ID Cards for Veterans with Honorable Discharges.

The Geauga County Recorder's Office has been issuing the cards since 2013.

We must have two forms of current and valid identification, at least one of which bears a photograph of the individual §317.241(A)(2). That can include, among other things, your valid driver’s license and a United States armed forces record.

We will take the picture and print the ID card while you wait.

Our hours for issuing ID cards are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD Form 214, is a very important document for your future. It enables you to participate in all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs as well as several state and federal programs. You should keep your original document in a safe place and have certified copies available for reference.

In Ohio, you can record your DD 214 with your County Recorder as soon as you separate from the service. After you record your discharge papers, they can be easily retrieved if you need additional certified copies.

We will record your DD214 free of charge. Your DD214 forms may be presented for filing Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

As of April 7, 2009, your DD214 Discharge papers are no longer considered public information. Only authorized individuals will have access to full un-redacted copies. These individuals will have to provide proof of their authorization.

Geauga County Veterans' Service Commission
470 Center Street ~ Building #5-B
Chardon, OH 44024
(440) 285-2222 extension 1860
Direct Line (440) 279-1860
E-mail:  geaugavet@co.geauga.oh.us

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ~ closed daily from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m

SB 248 (DD214) effective date April 7th, 2009

This bill creates a public records exemption for DD214's for a period of 75 years. Authorized parties can request to view and receive copies. Authorized parties:

• The actual Veteran
• County Veterans Service Officer
• Attorney in fact
• Agent or representative of the person who is the subject of the DD214
• A person authorized by a court
• Executor, Administrator or heir of an estate
• Funeral director who is performing the funeral

Un-authorized parties may view and receive copies, after redaction.

Please note recent newspaper articles are warning Veterans that their ID cards have a bar code that reveals their Social Security numbers. The articles are saying that those ID cards are not safe to use because it reveals personal information. Please be aware that we intentionally DID NOT even put a bar code on the cards issued from Geauga County Recorder's Office for that specific reason. There is NO unseen personal information linked to the cards issued from this Office. The articles do NOT apply to you.

To date, we have issued over 1,500 Veterans ID Cards. Currently, we are re-issuing those cards. When we first started the program, the cards had a four year expiration. Please check your cards to see if they have expired. Bring the old card and a current driver's license to the office and it will only take us a few minutes to update and issue a new one. We don't need any other paperwork for a re-issue.

Ohio National Guard Alumni Newsletter:  January 2, 2014

Thank you to the Ohio National Guard for featuring the Geauga County Recorder's Veteran ID Card program in their January 2014 Newsletter.

Ohio Department of Veterans' Services

Ohio Department of Veterans' Services
77 South High Street
7th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone # 614-644-0898
Fax # 614-728-9498
877-OHIOVET (877-644-6838)
ohiovet@dvs.ohio.gov

The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs

The U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs

• Will help you find information
• Toll Free Telephone Numbers

Locations of Some of the Veterans' Service Organizations in Geauga County:

• American Legion – 8356 Maple Drive, Chesterland, OH 44026
• American Legion Post 167 – P.O. Box 123, Chardon, OH 44024
• American Legion Post 663 – P.O. Box 26, Newbury, OH 44065
• American Legion - Atwood Mauck Post 459 – 14052 Goodwin Avenue, Burton Village, OH 44021 (440) 834-8621
• VFW Post - Middlefield – 9678 East High Street, Middlefield, OH 44062 (440) 632-1257
• VFW Post 6519 - Chardon – 752 Water Street, Chardon, OH 44024 (440) 285-3699
• VFW Bainbridge – 7040 Pettibone Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023-4933