On the heels of a successful program started in Macomb County last year, Oakland County just launched its own program to provide veterans a laminated, Veteran Identification card. The cards are available to all veterans at a cost of $10.00. Veterans need to appear in person at the Oakland County Clerk’s office located on the first floor of 1200 North Telegraph Road in Pontiac. Applicants will need to bring with them their original discharge papers (DD Form 214), their Michigan driver’s license (or state issued identification card), and the $10.00 fee (payable in cash or by VISA, Master Card, Discover Card or money order; no personal checks). A photo will be taken and the card will be issued on the spot. The card can then be used to obtain military
discounts from participating merchants. Complete information concerning the program can be obtained through the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds office website at: http://www.oakgov.com/clerkrod/vitalrecords/military_discharge.html. A list of merchants currently offering military discounts, along with applicable rules and guidelines, can be found at The Military Wallet, http://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts/.

The Oakland County Clerk’s office also has a program that allows veterans to file a copy of their original discharge papers for safekeeping. If the original is later lost or misplaced, a certified copy can be obtained from the Clerk’s office by the veteran, a spouse or dependent, and used for such things as applying for veteran’s benefits. Information concerning this program can also be found at: http://www.oakgov.com/clerkrod/vitalrecords/military_discharge.html. The filings are confidential, and the documents are not available to the public.

Oakland County also maintains two Veterans’ Services offices to assist the estimated 100,000 Oakland County veterans and their families in applying for and maintaining veterans related benefits from federal, state and local government sources. The offices are located at the Oakland County campus in Pontiac and in Troy. Complete information can be found at: http://www.oakgov.com/veterans/.

Additional resources for Michigan veterans can also be found through the Michigan Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, http://www.michigan.gov/dmva.

If you’re a veteran, we thank you for your service and hope that you find this information useful. If you know a veteran, feel free to pass this information on. And make sure that you are grateful for their service.