South DakotaVeterans may record discharge papers and request free certified copies
Veterans may record discharge certificates for free, and listed representatives and family members may request free certified copies by showing they qualify.
What it does
Veterans may record their armed forces or National Guard discharge certificate with a county register of deeds for free.
Veterans and several authorized people may request a free certified copy of a discharge certificate from a county register of deeds.
Argument forFree recording and certified copies could help veterans and authorized people obtain discharge records when they need them.
Argument againstSubmitting an eligibility form could add a step for veterans and authorized people who need a certified copy.
More detail
A veteran may record a certificate of discharge with a county register of deeds without charge. The provision covers veterans recording their own certificate of discharge. The certificate must be from service in the United States armed forces or National Guard. This section does not apply to a version of the certificate that does not show the veteran’s type of discharge.
A county register of deeds must provide a certified copy of a discharge certificate without charge to an eligible requester. Eligible requesters include the veteran, a VA representative, someone the veteran authorizes, the veteran’s legal representative, qualifying county or tribal veterans’ service officers, an accredited veterans’ group representative, and the veteran’s next of kin if the veteran has died. Each requester must submit a Department of Veterans Affairs form showing they qualify. This section does not apply to a version of the certificate that does not show the veteran’s type of discharge.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 12Signed by the Governor Larry Rhoden on 2026-03-12 S.J. 529Became Law
- Mar 5Delivered to the Governor on 2026-03-05 S.J. 477To Governor
- Mar 4Signed by the Speaker H.J. 516Major
- Mar 3Signed by the President S.J. 448Major
- Mar 2House of Representatives Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 0 H.J. 470Passed House
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, H.J. 3
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25Military and Veterans Affairs Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 0 H.J. 3Minor
- Feb 25Scheduled for hearing
- Feb 19Scheduled for hearing H.J. 1
- Feb 9First read in House and referred to House Military and Veterans Affairs H.J. 261Minor
- Feb 6Senate Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0 S.J. 213Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 4Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed,
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 4Military and Veterans Affairs Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 0Minor
- Feb 4Scheduled for hearing
- Jan 13First read in Senate and referred to Senate Military and Veterans Affairs S.J. 14Introduced
Veterans