As a courtesy to the courageous individuals who have served in our military, the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office is proud to offer the following complimentary services to honorably discharged veterans.

The County Clerk’s Veteran Services are available by appointment only. Please call 732-745-3405 to schedule your visit. 

Honorably discharged veterans can permanently record an original or certified copy of their long form military discharge record, such as the DD-214, with our office for no charge.

The document will be recorded and immediately returned to the veteran. All discharge documents filed with our office are considered confidential and can only be accessed by the veteran.

This service is also offered to veterans who obtain a Middlesex County Veteran's ID Card through our office.

If your original discharge document has been lost or damaged and is not on file with us, a certified copy can be obtained by contacting the National Personnel Records Center.

To obtain a Middlesex County Veteran’s ID Card, you must provide the following:

• Proof of name and address in Middlesex County
• Original or certified copy of the long form discharge document, such as the DD-214

Please note: If there has been a legal name change from the name found on the discharge document, a certified copy of the legal name change document such as a marriage certificate or final judgment from the court will be required.

We cannot accept discharge certificates, only long form separation documents. The discharge document will be permanently recorded and returned to the veteran.

If the discharge document is already on file with our office, the original or certified copy is not necessary. We can look up the record for you.

This service is free of charge for all honorably discharged Middlesex County veterans in appreciation of their service in protecting our citizens and our country.

Veteran’s ID Cards issued by the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office are for identification purposes only and are not intended to replace the federal Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) needed to access Veterans Affairs health benefits or other government programs.

Gold Star Family Identification Cards are available from the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office to the parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, child, spouse, domestic partner, or civil union partner of a member of the armed forces who lost their life while on active duty for the United States. To honor our nation’s greatest heroes and their families, the card is issued as a courtesy by the Middlesex County Clerk, in acknowledgment of their sacrifice.

This card may be presented to participating merchants/vendors for discounts offered to Veterans and Gold Star Parents making the holder of an identification card eligible for certain benefits, including:

• Free admission to state parks and forests
• Free or reduced-price admission to New Jersey beaches
• Free admission to the New Jersey State Museum

To be eligible for the Middlesex County Gold Star Family Identification Card the applicant must apply in person and present the following:

• Valid documentation indicating the applicant’s relationship to the service member
• A certification from an organization formed for the support of parents of members of the armed forces who lost their lives while on active duty for the United States
• The service member’s federal DD-1300 “Report of Casualty” form, or its succeeding form which identified the member of the armed forces who lost their lives while on active duty for the United States.

Gold Star Veteran ID Cards

Honorably discharged veterans residing in Middlesex County may obtain a no-fee license to vend merchandise or solicit trade anywhere within the state.

All that is required is one form of identification proving residency in the County and the original or certified copy of the discharge record, such as a DD-214.

Please note: If there has been a legal name change from the name found on the discharge document, a certified copy of the legal name change document such as a marriage certificate or final judgment from the court will be required.

If the discharge document is already on file with our office, the original or certified copy is not necessary. We can look up the record for you.

Assistance on veterans claims and benefits, discharge upgrading, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), disability compensation, burial allowances, home loan guarantees, VA pension, and referral services for healthcare and prescription drugs. Please call with any veteran assistance questions or to schedule a meeting with a service officer. For more information about the Office of Veterans Affairs, call 732-745-4051.