Please refer your clients to the Carroll County Clerk’s Office so that we can safely and without cost file, retrieve or copy their DD-214 documents or Marriage Certificates. Below are the services we offer to veterans and members of the United States Military:

♦ Free filing and indexing of a DD-214 (Military Discharge Document):
➢ The Defense Department issues a DD-214 to each veteran identifying the veteran’s condition of discharge as honorable, general, other than honorable, dishonorable, or bad conduct.
➢ This Report of Separation from the United States Military contains information normally needed to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment, and membership in veteran’s organizations.
➢ Any veteran or they're next of kin (un-remarried surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother of a deceased veteran) may file their DD-214 with the Clerk’s Office so that it may be scanned on record for them if the original is lost or damaged. The original DD-214 will be immediately returned.
➢ It is not required by law that a DD-214 be filed; however, if the DD-214 is filed with the Clerk’s Office, then it should be in the county in which the veteran resides.
➢ Per the Privacy Act of 1974, only the veteran or his or her guardian may view the file of the DD-214 file in the Clerk’s Office.
              o Proper identification is required, and the guardian’s Court Order is required to be shown to staff.
➢ If the veteran is deceased, only the next of kin of the veteran (un-remarried surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother of a deceased veteran) may view or request a certified copy of the DD-214.
➢ Videotaping, recording or taking photographs of the DD-214 is strictly prohibited by the Order of the Carroll County Circuit Court Administrative Judge.

♦ Free certified copy of a DD-214 (Military Discharge Document):
➢ Per the Privacy Act of 1974, only a veteran or his or her guardian may obtain a copy of the DD-214 file in the Clerk’s Office. Proper identification is required.
➢ If the veteran is deceased, only their next of kin (un-remarried surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother of a deceased veteran) may request a certified copy of the DD-214. Proper identification is required.
➢ The certified copy is free to the veteran or the next of kin.
➢ Videotaping, recording or taking photographs of the DD-214 is strictly prohibited by the Order of the Carroll County Circuit Court Administrative Judge.

♦ Free copy of a Marriage Certificate for a marriage officiated in Carroll County:
➢ Upon being elected Clerk of the Circuit Court for Carroll County, I waived the Marriage Certificate copy fee for up to 5 copies of a marriage certificate requested by any first responder, member of the military or veteran who is being married in Carroll County.
➢ A military member or veteran is informed of this fee waiver option when applying for a marriage license. This equates to a savings of up to $27.50 in copy costs.
➢ A military member or veteran can also request up to 5 free copies of their marriage certificate if the marriage was officiated in Carroll County prior to 2019.
➢ To make an appointment for a Marriage License or to request a copy of a Marriage Certificate, please call the office at 410-386-8760 or email CarrollCountyMarriageLicenses@mdcourts.gov.
➢ You can also visit the Carroll County Clerk’s Office website marriage license link or marriage copy request link for any marriage officiated in Carroll County at: https://www.mdcourts.gov/clerks/