Before any veteran or family member can obtain any benefits or services from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), he or she must produce a copy of their discharge or DD-214. For National Guard soldiers the discharge form is an NGB 22. In many cases a certified copy of the original document is required.

The time to locate this very important document is now rather than wait until it is needed. It is also important that your family know where it is. Often times claims for veterans or survivor benefits are unnecessarily delayed because the veteran thought they had the proper discharge or knew where it was only to find out that it was only a photocopy or a certificate of discharge, which in either case are unacceptable for many VA benefits.

The best rule of thumb is to have your original discharge recorded at your county Register of Deeds for safe keeping. If you’re not absolutely certain what document you have, please bring it to our office at the Charles Mix County Courthouse in Lake Andes, SD. We can then make the determination and, if necessary, have the document recorded for you.

If you do not have a copy of your discharge document and need assistance, contact your Veteran Service Officer, Jerry Seiner. Office hours are Monday and Tuesday, 8:00 to 4:30 and Wednesday from 8:00 to 12:00. The office phone number is 487- 7691 or 481-1338(c).

Be prepared…be sure.