The Request for Military Discharge (DD214), printed as Form REC180 and titled Application for Copy of Military Discharge Record in Person or by Mail, is the application the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk uses to issue a certified copy of a military discharge record. Only the authorized persons defined on the form may receive the copy, and a request sent by mail needs a notarized signature. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the County publishes the original form at the official source linked here.
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What is REC180?
The Request for Military Discharge (DD214), Form REC180, is the application to the San Diego County Recorder/County Clerk for a certified copy of a military discharge record, which California law releases only to the authorized persons the form defines.
The form rests on California Government Code Section 6107(b). That section permits only authorized persons to receive a certified copy of any "discharge, certificate of service, certificate of satisfactory service, notice of separation, or report of separation of any member of the Armed Forces of the United States." To get a certified copy, you must state your relationship to the person named on the document by selecting one of the four options on the form.
The application has these parts:
- The relationship selection.
- Military discharge information: the name on the document (first, middle and last name) and the date of discharge/separation.
- A Statement of Identity for Authorized Person, sworn under penalty of perjury.
- The applicant's signature, with a California Acknowledgment block for the notary.
- A Mail to block with name, address, e-mail and phone.
The form is issued by the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, County of San Diego, and the Recorder/County Clerk handles the request. The notary or other officer completing the acknowledgment verifies only the identity of the person who signed, not the truthfulness, accuracy or validity of the statement.
Who needs to file REC180?
The main group is anyone who wants a certified copy of a military discharge record from the San Diego County Recorder/County Clerk and is an authorized person under California Government Code Section 6107(b). The form lists four categories, and you select the one that fits:
- The person who is the subject of the record.
- A family member or legal representative of the person who is the subject of the record.
- A member or employee of a county office that provides veteran's benefits services; you write the name of the office on the form.
- A United States official authorized to obtain the record on behalf of an office or department; you write the name of the office or department on the form.
Persons outside these categories are not authorized to receive a certified copy.
Notarization depends on how you apply. A signature must be notarized when applying by mail and need not be notarized when applying in person. Members of a law enforcement agency and state and local government agencies are exempt from notarization. Federal agencies must have the sworn statement notarized unless the federal agency falls under the definition of a law enforcement agency.
When to file REC180
You use Form REC180 whenever you need a certified copy of a military discharge record from the San Diego County Recorder/County Clerk. No due date, filing window or expiration is printed on it, so the triggering event is your own need for the copy.
Before you mail the request, have your signature notarized, because the form states that a signature must be notarized when applying by mail. Have the exact name on the document and the date of discharge/separation ready, since the form asks for both. The form states no processing time.
Documents you need
- A notarized signature, completed in the California Acknowledgment block, when you apply by mail; the notary notes whether you are personally known or produced identification and its type. Not required in person; law enforcement and state and local government agencies are exempt.
How to fill out REC180
Select your relationship to the record
Under "I am," choose one option: the person who is the subject of the record; a family member or legal representative of that person; a member/employee of a county office that provides veteran's benefits services; or a United States official authorized to obtain the record.
Name the office or department
If you chose the county office option, write the name of the office on the blank line. If you chose the U.S. official option, write the office or department you act for.
Enter the military discharge information
Under Military Discharge Information, print or type the name on the document (first, middle and last name) and the Date of Discharge/Separation.
Print your name in the statement
In the Statement of Identity for Authorized Person, print your name on the line after "I," confirming that you are an authorized person as indicated above.
Complete the sworn date and place
Enter the day, month, year, city and state where the statement is sworn on the "Sworn this day of" line.
Sign as the applicant
Sign on the Applicant's Signature line. If you mail the request, sign in front of the notary, because the signature must be notarized.
Get the acknowledgment completed if mailing
The notary completes the California Acknowledgment: county, date, name, identification type and seal. This is not required when you apply in person.
Fill in the Mail to block
Enter your name, address, city, state and ZIP code, e-mail and phone number in the Mail to block.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the names, the discharge date and the relationship box. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and send it as described under How to submit.
How to submit REC180
You can submit Form REC180 in person or by mail to the San Diego Recorder/County Clerk, as the form's title states.
- By mail: Send the completed request, with your signature notarized, to San Diego Recorder/County Clerk, ATTN: Vital Records, P.O. Box 121750, San Diego, CA 92112-1750.
- In person: Notarization is not required when you apply in person. The form's letterhead gives the Recorder/County Clerk at 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260, San Diego, CA 92101-2480, telephone (619) 237-0502, website www.SDARCC.gov. Contact the office to confirm where in-person requests are taken.
Fill in the Mail to block with your name, address, e-mail and phone so the office knows where to send the record. Members of a law enforcement agency and state and local government agencies are exempt from notarization; federal agencies must notarize unless they fall under the definition of a law enforcement agency. The form prints no fee amount, so ask the office about any fee that applies. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the request with an unnotarized signature; the form states the signature must be notarized when applying by mail.
- Leaving the relationship selection blank; you must indicate your relationship to the person named on the document to receive a certified copy.
- Choosing the county veteran's benefits or U.S. official option without writing the name of the office or department on the blank line.
- Assuming a federal agency is exempt from notarization; federal agencies must notarize unless they fall under the definition of a law enforcement agency.
- Expecting the notary to confirm the contents of your statement; the notary verifies only the identity of the person who signed.
- Addressing the mailing to ATTN: Real Estate Records instead of ATTN: Vital Records, P.O. Box 121750, San Diego, CA 92112-1750.
- Leaving out the date of discharge/separation or the name as it appears on the document.
- Leaving the Mail to block incomplete, so the office has no complete return address for the record.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Request for Military Discharge (DD214) form?
It is Form REC180, the San Diego County Recorder/County Clerk application for a certified copy of a military discharge record. It asks for your relationship to the person named on the record, the name on the document, the discharge date and a sworn statement of identity.
Who can get a certified copy of a military discharge record in San Diego County?
Only authorized persons: the person named in the record, a family member or legal representative, a member or employee of a county veteran's benefits services office, or a U.S. official authorized to obtain it for an office or department. The form cites California Government Code Section 6107(b).
Does my DD214 request have to be notarized?
Yes if you apply by mail; no if you apply in person. Members of law enforcement agencies and state and local government agencies are exempt. Federal agencies must have the statement notarized unless they fall under the definition of a law enforcement agency.
Where do I mail the military discharge record request in San Diego County?
Mail it to San Diego Recorder/County Clerk, ATTN: Vital Records, P.O. Box 121750, San Diego, CA 92112-1750. Have your signature notarized first. For other questions, the form lists the office phone as (619) 237-0502.
Is this a San Diego County property tax form?
No. Form REC180 requests a certified copy of a military discharge record from the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk. For property tax matters, check the County's website, www.SDARCC.gov, which is printed on the form.
Can I fill out the DD214 request online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not send the request to the County; you mail it or bring it in person as the form directs.
What information do I need to complete Form REC180?
You need the name on the discharge document (first, middle and last), the date of discharge/separation, your relationship to the person named, and your mailing details for the Mail to block. If you mail it, you also need a notary for your signature.
Can a family member request a copy for a veteran?
Yes. A family member or legal representative of the person who is the subject of the record is one of the four authorized categories. Select that option on the form and sign the statement of identity under penalty of perjury.
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