Free Photo ID For Mercer County Veterans

During the week prior to the Memorial Day weekend, Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello reminds Mercer County residents that the Clerk’s office offers free Veteran ID cards.

Normally, veterans pay a special reduced fee of $10, half the normal price for a general ID card. However, during the weeks of Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veteran’s Day, ID cards are free.

“So, now is the time of the year to pick one up,” suggests the County Clerk.

ID cards that indicate a Veteran’s status have become very useful as many home improvement retailers now offer discounts to veterans during Federal holidays. Veterans can receive their photo ID card by visiting the Mercer County Clerk’s Office located in the Old Courthouse at 209 South Broad St. in Trenton. The Clerk’s Office is open from Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays until 6:30 p.m.

For further information on how to obtain a Mercer County photo identification card, call 609.278.7161.

A Certificate of Release - Discharge from Active Duty, or DD-10214 Form for short, is generally 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. Additionally, filing a DD-214 form is free of charge to Mercer County Veterans. 

“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,” said Sollami Covello, whose office maintains and preserves official documents and records for Mercer County.  “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,” noted Sollami Covello. 

Free ID cards during the following holidays:

• Memorial Day - Monday, May 20 - Friday, May 24
• Fourth of July - Monday, July 1 - Friday, July 5 (Closed Thursday, July 4)
• Veteran’s Day - Monday, November 4 - Friday, November 8 

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 honorable discharge papers with the County Clerk's Office.

—Mercer County