Mercer County Offering Photo ID Cards to Veterans

U.S. military veterans who live in Mercer County can now receive a county photo identification card that also designates their status as veterans.

The fee for the cards is $10.00. During the weeks leading up to July 4 and Veterans Day, the cards are free. Filing a copy of discharge papers with the clerk’s office is also free.

“Because military papers can get damaged or lost, veterans should take advantage of the opportunity to file copies of their DD-214 discharge papers with the Clerk’s Office,” Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello said.  “If a copy of their discharge papers are needed in the future, a veteran, an immediate family member or a legally recognized representative of their estate may obtain one with proper identification.”

A certificate of release discharging a person from active duty is issued when a service member is honorably discharged from active military duty. The document contains information normally needed to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment, and membership in veterans’ organizations.

Veterans can receive photo ID cards and file a copy of their discharge papers by visiting the Mercer County Clerk’s Office located in the Old Courthouse at 209 South Broad Street in Trenton. The Clerk’s Office is open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Wednesdays until 6:30 p.m.

Applicants must be Mercer County residents (a minimum of six months). Documents required to obtain an ID card include:

– A valid birth certificate with a raised seal or a naturalization certificate.

– A valid New Jersey motor vehicle license, voter registration card or lease agreement (pick one of the three).

For further information about the Mercer County photo identification card for veterans, call (609) 989-6473.