Union County Clerk Offers Veterans Honorable Discharge Cards at Westfield Office

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds any veteran living in Union County that they can receive their free military honorable discharge card at the County Clerk’s offices in Westfield and Elizabeth.

The wallet-size card is honored as proof of service in the United States Armed Forces.

“Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 1, veterans will be able to bring their Certificate of Honorable Discharge and DD 214 forms to either one of my offices in Westfield or Elizabeth to have their information recorded in the Union County Veterans Index so they can receive their discharge card,” Rajoppi said. “This honorable discharge card service is just one way to say thank you and make veterans’ lives a little easier.”

The honorable discharge cards are available to veterans whose Certificate of Honorable Discharge and DD 214 forms are recorded at the Union County Clerk’s office. It can assist veterans in receiving educational benefits, death benefits, licenses, local property tax rebates and discounts at big retailer box stores when presented with other identification.

“The distinctive red, white and blue cards have a raised seal certifying proof of recording from the Clerk’s office,” Rajoppi added.

If a veteran’s discharge papers have never been recorded, the original documents must be presented at either one the Union County Clerk’s offices. Documents will be recorded in the Union County Veterans’ Index and the original documents will be returned to the veteran. Photocopies of Honorable Discharge or DD 214 documents cannot be accepted for recording.

If the original discharge documents are lost, veterans can write to the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63138.

Those who have already recorded their documents with the Union County Clerk can call her office at 908-659-7403 for additional information.

“All veterans can be assured that access to their discharge papers is available only to the veteran, his/her mother, father, wife/husband, brother, sister, child, heir or personal representative,” Rajoppi said. “Veterans’ documents are archived in a secure area and they are not accessible to the public.”

The County Clerk’s Office in Westfield, located at 300 North Avenue East, is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The County Clerk’s Office in Elizabeth, located in the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street, is open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

If additional information is needed, please call 908-659-7403.