Section 2-207 - Recording military discharge papers. - Maryland Statutes

§ 2-207. Recording military discharge papers.
 

(a)  Person in interest, defined.- For purposes of this section, "person in interest" has the meaning stated in § 10-611 of the State Government Article. 

(b)  In book.- The clerk of the circuit court of each county shall keep a book and record and index in the book the discharge papers of any person who: 

(1) At any time has served in the armed forces of the United States; and 

(2) Presents the discharge papers of the person for recording. 

(c)  Fee prohibited.- A clerk may not charge a fee for recording or indexing discharge papers. 

(d)  Record admissible in evidence.- The record kept by the clerk, or a certified copy of the record, is admissible in evidence in any court in the State. 

(e)  Denial of inspection.-  

(1) A clerk shall deny inspection of the book, and the record and index in the book, described in this section except: 

(i) To a party in a civil, administrative, or criminal proceeding in a federal or state court or government agency, or the party's attorney, who presents evidence satisfactory to the clerk that the inspection is related to admitting the record or a certified copy of the record in evidence in the proceeding; 

(ii) To a person in interest; 

(iii) In accordance with a subpoena or court order; or 

(iv) For good cause shown, to a relative of the person who is the subject of the discharge papers, if the request for inspection is made at least 70 years after the discharge papers were presented for recording. 

(2) A clerk may provide a certified copy of a record described in this section only: 

(i) To a party in a civil, administrative, or criminal proceeding in a federal or state court or government agency, or the party's attorney, who presents evidence satisfactory to the clerk that the certified copy is for the purpose of admission in evidence in the proceeding; 

(ii) To a person in interest; 

(iii) In accordance with a subpoena or court order; or 

(iv) For good cause shown, to a relative of the person who is the subject of the discharge papers, if the request for a certified copy is made at least 70 years after the discharge papers were presented for recording. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 17, § 4; 1997, ch. 31, § 1; 2003, ch. 324.]