County Clerk to Issue Photo IDs for Veterans

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Washtenaw County commissioners approved a proposal from county clerk Larry Kestenbaum that allows the clerk’s office to issue veteran photo ID cards for a $10 fee. The vote occurred at the county board’s Aug. 1, 2012 meeting.

According to a staff memo, county clerks in Michigan are permitted to record military discharge certificates for veterans. Those certificates – called DD-214s – are bulky and can’t be carried around easily. A veteran’s ID card would serve the same purpose, allowing veterans to show more easily a proof of service – to take advantage of discounts for veterans offered by businesses. The memo notes that $10 photo IDs are currently offered in Livingston, Oakland and Macomb counties.

The $10 fee would cover the cost of printing the card, which would be handled by the clerk’s vital records division. Start-up costs are estimated at $100. The county clerk/register of deeds office is located at 200 N. Main in downtown Ann Arbor.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building at 220 N. Main in Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow: [link]