Home » Free ID Cards and Discharge Paper Recording Available Now in County Clerk’s Office

Free ID Cards and Discharge Paper Recording Available Now in County Clerk’s Office

by MercerMe Staff

U.S. Military veterans residing in Mercer County should now obtain their county photo identification card that also designates their status as a veteran. Veteran ID cards are available free to US Veterans during the weeks of Memorial Day (May 22 – June 2), Fourth of July (July 3 – July 14), and Veteran’s Day (November 6 – November 17) and Pearl Harbor Day every year. At other times, veterans pay a special reduced fee of $10.00 (half the price for a regular ID card) which makes now the perfect time for veterans to pick up one for free as Memorial Day approaches.

There are several benefits to having a Veteran ID card. These ID cards have an expiration period of 10 years and include the book and page that indicate where a Veteran’s honorable discharge is recorded in the County Clerk’s Office. The ID cards that indicate a Veteran’s status have additional benefits as many local retailers now offer discounts to veterans. A free booklet of participating vendors and retailers in Mercer will be given to anyone who visits the Clerk’s Office to obtain a Vet ID card.

The requirements for a Mercer County ID card are:

  • Must be a Mercer County resident for at least 6 months.
  • Must produce the following:
    • A valid birth certificate with a raised seal or a naturalization certificate.
    • A valid NJ Motor Vehicle License or voter registration card or, lease agreement.
  • To have their US military veteran status designated on the ID card, veterans must also produce or register their DD-214 discharge papers with the County Clerk’s Office.

Filing a DD-214 form is free of charge to all honorably discharged Mercer County Veterans. “If a copy of a Veteran’s discharge papers is needed in the future, the veteran, an immediate family member or a legally recognized representative of their estate, may obtain one with proper identification, which means there is no down-side for Veterans to file their papers now. I am particularly sensitive to the need to record such papers since the County Clerk’s office maintains and preserves official documents and records for Mercer County,” noted County Clerk Sollami Covello.

The DD-214 document contains information normally needed to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment, and membership in veterans’ organizations.

Veterans can receive their photo ID card by visiting the Mercer County Clerk’s Office located at 240 W State Street in Trenton. The County Clerk’s Office is open from Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

For further information on how to obtain a Mercer County photo identification card, please call 609-989-7108.

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