(a) General rule.--Whenever application shall be made to the proper public officer by or on behalf of any disabled war veteran, or member of the armed forces or their reserve components or the National Guard, of any war or armed conflict in which the United States has been, is now or shall hereafter be engaged, or by or on behalf of any dependent of any such veteran, or member of the armed forces or their reserve components or the National Guard, for a certified copy of any death certificate, birth certificate, marriage certificate or decree of divorce, for use in connection with any claim for death benefits, compensation allowance, family or dependency allotment, it shall be the duty of such public officer to furnish such certified copy free of any charge therefor provided for by any law of this Commonwealth. No divorce certificate shall be issued under this section unless said divorce action record shows all costs fully paid. As used in this section, the term "public officer" means an authorized official in the Department of Health as to any of the foregoing records in the possession of the Department of Health and the proper county officer as to any other records within this subsection.

(b) Credit for issuing certificate.--Where any county office issues any certificate under this section, said office shall be given an earned credit for the same by proper authorities as if the fee for said certificate had been received from person or persons applying therefor.

(c) Compensation of issuing officer.--In counties where the county officer issuing any certificate under this section is compensated on a fee basis, the fee for issuing such certificate shall be paid by the county, upon the presentation to the county commissioners of proper vouchers by the county officer issuing such certificate.

(d) Certificates relating to release or discharge.--The department, upon request, shall provide one certified, true copy of each soldier's Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty to the Director of Veterans' Affairs of the county where the soldier resided at the time of enlistment or to the soldier or the soldier's representative free of any charge.

(Mar. 21, 1996, P.L.39, No.12, eff. 60 days; Apr. 4, 1996, P.L.98, No.22, eff. 60 days)

1996 Amendments. Act 12 added subsec. (d) and Act 22 amended subsec. (a). Section 5 of Act 12 provided that the amendment of section 9201 shall apply to Certificates of Release or Discharge From Active Duty issued on or after the effective date of Act 12.