Military Discharge Papers Recorded Free of Charge at County Department of Real Estate

Allegheny County advises all honorably discharged veterans that they may record their discharge form free of charge in the Department of Real Estate. The veteran must either mail or personally bring his or her original discharge form to the Department of Real Estate located at 101 County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Veterans are entitled to a free certified copy of his or her discharge if it is recorded in Allegheny County. The free certified copy service is limited to the veteran, or if he or she is deceased, to his or her family.

After World War II, many veterans went to the Allegheny County Courthouse and presented their discharge documents to obtain a wallet size identification card. This did not signify that the discharge was recorded in the Department of Real Estate (formerly known as the Recorder of Deeds). Veterans’ discharges were recorded only if the veteran personally presented the discharge to the Recorder of Deeds for recording.

For additional information, contact the Allegheny County Department of Real Estate at 412-350-4226.