HARRISBURG — Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Jeanne Sorg was thrilled to take part in the signing of PA House Bill 269, which amends the state statute of 1868 authorizing Recorders of Deeds to record military discharge papers and extends the confidentiality of recorded military discharges from 75 to 85 years after recording.
“This is such an important win for Pennsylvania veterans,” said Sorg in a Montgomery County press release. “Our veterans are living longer and these documents are the most important piece of paper a veteran can hold in their hand. They also include a lot of sensitive information. We want to keep our veterans information, safe and secure for as long as possible.”
“I am grateful to Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Jeanne Sorg and her staff for their advocacy for Pennsylvania’s veterans, and for bringing this issue to my attention,” said Rep. Joe Webster. “Our veterans deserve the reassurance that their personal information is safeguarded. It’s our job as a grateful nation to protect those who protect us, and I’m honored and thankful to see this extension of privacy be enacted into law.”
“This represents another win for our veterans,” said Governor Josh Shapiro during the bill signing at the Capitol.
Sorg presented this issue to Webster in 2019, and she testified in front of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee in 2023 about the importance of this legislation. HB269 was subsequently brought out of committee in 2023 and passed unanimously through the Pennsylvania House and Senate in October 2024, said the release.
“I have spent much of my time as Recorder of Deeds fighting for this bill,” said Sorg. “I am delighted to have been at the State Capitol when Governor Shapiro signed the bill into law.”
Before a recorded discharge hits the 85-year threshold, the document is only available to the veteran, their immediate family, and Veterans Affairs. Veterans and their families should contact the Recorder of Deeds for the steps to request copies of recorded military discharge papers.
In a recent survey conducted by the Recorder of Deeds of Montgomery County veterans, 56 percent responded as being over 75 years of age, while another 31 percent responded as being between 65 and 74 years old, said the release.
“We know veterans and seniors are top targets for fraud,” said Sorg. “This additional 10 years will help to keep the personal information of our veterans secure.”
The Recorder of Deeds is responsible for maintaining the integrity of all land records in Montgomery County and acts as the repository for bonds and commissions of county elected officials, common pleas judges and magisterial district judges; military discharge papers (DD214s) of all eligible service and reserve members; subdivision, state highway, and railroad plans; powers of attorney; and other miscellaneous documents. To learn more about the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds, visit www.montgomerycountypa.gov/rod.
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