The DD Form 214 is the United States Department of Defense's Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

As one of the general duties of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Land Records Department maintains permanent records of military discharge papers. Anne Arundel County military veterans may file their military discharge papers at the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Land Records Department.

Military discharge records include:

• Copy 4, DD Form 214 issued by the United States Government
• Any copy of DD Form 214 with a raised seal issued by the United States National Personnel Records Center or
• United States National Archives Form 13038.

There is no filing fee for this service, nor is there a fee for obtaining copies – including certified copies.

In order to protect military discharge records against fraudulent misuse, strict enforcement of Maryland laws are followed concerning who may view and receive copies of discharge records.

Military discharge papers (DD 214’s) are not public records, and the inspection of these records is restricted as stipulated by Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings, § 2-207. Recording and Indexing of Discharge Papers Required.

If the Veteran has lost or misplaced their discharge and did not record their DD124 with the Clerk of the Court, please contact the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration’s National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records in St. Louis, Missouri to obtain instructions for requesting a copy. https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records