CA AB778

Permits county recorders to provide certified copies of military discharge and separation records without fees in response to written, faxed, or digitized requests accompanied by a notarized statement sworn under penalty of perjury.

Allows officials to furnish certified copies to authorized individuals in person upon taking a sworn statement, including the subject of the record, family members, legal representatives, county veterans' benefits offices, and federal officials.

Requires faxed or digitized notarized statements to be legible and contain specific notary information (seal, name, county, telephone number, registration number, and commission expiration date) or the county recorder must deny the request.

Prohibits public entities from charging fees for recording, indexing, issuing certified copies, searching for, or furnishing military records used in veterans' benefits applications or claims.

Exempts state reimbursement requirements for costs related to creating new crimes or changing penalties for perjury, but allows reimbursement claims for other mandated costs through the Commission on State Mandates.