Louisiana § RS 44:20 - Records of discharge from armed forces
Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 44:20 — Records of discharge from armed forces, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ RS 44:20. Records of discharge from armed forces
A. Upon the presentation of the discharge certificate or other evidence, the clerks of court of the several parishes and the register of conveyances of the parish of Orleans shall record in their records without charge, each discharge certificate or other evidence of honorable separation from the armed forces of the United States of men and women who have served in the forces. It shall not be necessary to retain original discharge papers in the archives of the office.
B. Any discharge certificate or other evidence of honorable separation from the armed forces of the United States filed on or after July 1, 2000, shall be confidential, shall not be considered as public record under R.S. 44:1 et seq., and shall not be released or shown to any person except:
(1) To the veteran or his designee.
(2) If the veteran is deceased, to the executor of his estate or to the surviving spouse or any family member of the veteran, upon furnishing a death certificate, affidavit of death, or other satisfactory evidence of the death of the veteran.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 44:31 and R.S. 44:32, the clerks of court of the several parishes and the register of conveyances of the parish of Orleans shall make available to the public any discharge certificate or other evidence of honorable separation from the armed forces of the United States filed prior to July 1, 2000. The clerks of court and the register shall not make copies of such record for a person who requests such record, unless the person who requests such record appears in person in the office of the appropriate clerk of court or the register and provides his full name and address to the clerk or register. The clerks of court and the register shall not make such record available to the public on any website.
Acts 2003, No. 316, §1, eff. June 13, 2003; Acts 2004, No. 758, §1, eff. July 1, 2004.
NOTE: See Acts 2003, No. 316, §3, relative to remedial nature and applicability.
Source: official Louisiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 44:20
What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 44:20 cover?
Section RS 44:20 ("Records of discharge from armed forces") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Louisiana § RS 44:20?
A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 44:20" (Louisiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Louisiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.
How does Louisiana § RS 44:20 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.