(a) The county commission of each county shall cause to be prepared and furnished to each judge of probate a well-bound book of record, the back or side of which shall bear the following words, "Record of Releases from Active Duty from the United States Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, or Marine Corps." The pages of the book of record shall correspond with the printed matter appearing on a release from active duty from the military service of the United States of America, with sufficient blank spaces reserved thereon for the copying therein of the data and information appearing on a release from active duty, which may be presented to the judge of probate for record, as provided in this section.
(b) Any person who holds a release from active duty, or DD Form 214, from the United States Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, or Marine Corps may present the DD Form 214 to the judge of probate of the county wherein he or she resides, and the judge of probate shall cause the same to be recorded in the book described in subsection (a). There shall be no fee charged for this service.
(c) (1) When a release from active duty is recorded as provided in this section, the record of certified copies of a DD Form 214 appearing in the book of record shall be confidential. It shall be unlawful for any person to permit inspection of any such record, to disclose information contained in any such record, or to issue a copy of all or any part of such record except as authorized herein or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Upon presentation of proper identification, any of the following persons may examine the record or obtain free of charge a copy or certified copy of all or part of the record:
a. The person who is the subject of the record.
b. The spouse or next of kin of the person who is the subject of the record.
c. A person named in an appropriate power of attorney executed by the person who is the subject of the record.
d. The administrator, executor, guardian, or legal representative of the person who is the subject of the record.
e. An attorney for any person specified in paragraphs a. to d., inclusive.
f. A county veteran service officer or an assistant county veteran service officer.
(2) Records kept pursuant to this subsection shall not be reproduced or used in whole or in part for any commercial or speculative purpose. Any individual, agency, or court which obtains information shall not disseminate or disclose such information or any part thereof except as authorized herein or otherwise by law. A violation of this subsection shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000). The clerk of the court shall not be liable and shall be held harmless for any act of any person who copies, reproduces, or uses records in violation of this subsection.
Last modified: May 3, 2021