County Clerk and County Veterans Director Remind Vets to File Their DD214
Auburn, NY-Cayuga County Clerk Sue Dwyer and County Veteran’s Director Kevin Swab want to remind veterans in Cayuga County to file their separation papers from the military (commonly referred to as the DD214), with the County Clerks office. “This is an important document for the veteran, and their family,” stated Dwyer “and often times cannot be found when a veteran or their family needs it most.” Kevin Swab, the County’s Veteran’s Director said that “This document is of utmost importance to the veteran for access to services, and according to Military Law Section 250, these papers should be filed with the County Clerk in the county where the veteran resides.”
Dwyer and Swab said, “It has recently been brought to our attention that there is a scam being perpetrated upon Veterans by a group called DD214 Direct, out of Phoenix, AZ that not only wants to file papers for the veteran, but charges an exorbitant fee for a copy of said document, $79 for a copy and more than $100 for an email and hard copy! “This is simply not right” stated Dwyer, and that is why Kevin and I wanted to do some public outreach about it, to make sure veterans know what to do.
“Veterans do not have to pay any amount for a certified copy of their DD214, and it is also free to file in our office” stated Dwyer.
Swab stated, “In addition to their cost, veterans should be aware that these documents, the DD214, are a sealed record, only available to the veteran themselves or an immediate family member if the veteran is deceased. These are not public records as they contain sensitive identity information and therefore are considered a sealed record.”
Also a reminder when a veteran files their DD214 in Cayuga County, they will be issued a “RETURN THE FAVOR” card, which can be used for discounts at area businesses as a way of saying thank you to our veterans. Questions can be directed to the County Clerk’s office at 315- 253-1271 from 9am to 4:45pm. or email Sue Dwyer at sdwyer@cayugacounty.us, and Kevin Swab at 315-253-1281or email Kevin at kswab@cayugacounty.us.