(DD Form 214, DD-214, DD214)
Military personnel
records can be used for proving military service, or as a valuable
tool in genealogical research. Most veterans and their next-of-kin
can obtain free copies of their
DD Form 214 (Report of Separation) and other military and
medical records several ways:
1. Required Information
Your request must contain certain basic
information for us to locate your service records. This information
includes:
* The veteran's complete name used while in
service
* Service number
* Social security number
* Branch of service
* Dates of service
* Date and place of birth (especially if the service number is not
known).
* If you suspect your records may have been involved in the 1973 fire, also include:
- Place of discharge
- Last unit of assignment
- Place of entry into the service, if
known.
* All requests must be signed and dated by the veteran or
next-of-kin.
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2. Recommended Information (optional)
While this information is not required, it is
extremely helpful to NPRC staff in understanding and fulfilling
your request:
* The purpose or reason for your request, such as
applying for veterans benefits, preparing to retire, or researching
your personal military history.
* Any deadlines related to your request. We will do our best to
meet any priorities. For example, you may be applying for a
VA-guaranteed Home Loan and need to provide proof of military
service by a specific date.
* Any other specific information, documents or records you require
from your Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) besides your
Report of Separation (DD Form 214).
3. Emergency Requests and Deadlines
If there is an emergency or deadline associated
with your request, please explain this in the "Comments" section of
eVetRecs or in the "Purpose" section of the SF-180 so that we fully understand the
situation and we will do our best to meet your priority.
Information for people affected by
Hurricane Katrina
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4. Where to send my request
You can mail or fax your signed and dated request
to the National Archives's National Personnel Record Center (NPRC).
Most, but not all records, are stored at the NPRC. Be sure to use
the address specified by eVetRecs or the instructions on the
SF-180. The locations of military service records for active and
retired personnel are listed at
Location of Military Service
Records.
* NPRC Fax Number :
314-801-9195
* NPRC Mailing Address:
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
314-801-0800
Please note that requests which are sent by
Priority Mail, FedEx, UPS, or other "express" services will only
arrive at the NPRC sooner. They will not be processed any faster
than standard requests. See the section above on emergency requests
and deadlines.
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5. Cost:
Military personnel and health record information
is usually free for veterans, next-of-kin, and authorized
representatives. If your request involves a service fee, you will
be notified as soon as possible.
NOTE: Some records (Navy and Marine Corps
enlisted personnel pre-1939) are in the process of being
accessioned into the National Archives' collection and are no
longer considered part of the NPRC, but are now part of the
new Archival Programs Division. Standard reproduction charges
may apply for copies of these documents. The process for requesting
these records remains the same for now.
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6. Response Time:
The National Personnel Records Center (NRPC)
normally responds to requests for Separation Documents (such as DD
Form 214) in ten (10) working days or less. However, requests that
involve reconstruction efforts due to the 1973 fire or older
records which require extensive search efforts may take much longer
(such as requests for your complete OMPF). You will receive our
response in writing by U.S. Mail.
7. Checking the Status of Your Request:
Once you have allowed sufficient time for us to
receive and process your request (about 10 days), you may check the
status of your request by e-mail through our NPRC Customer Service
Center at mprstatus@nara.gov. Please
provide your name, request number if you have one, service number
and social security number to allow us to access your request in
our system. You will receive a return e-mail from us with a
projected completion date for your request.
You may also telephone the NPRC Customer Service
Line (this is a long-distance call for most customers):
314-801-0800
Note: Our peak calling times are weekdays between
10:00 am CST and 3:00 pm CST. Staff is available to take your call
as early as 7:00 am and as late as 5:00 pm cst.
This number will allow you to hold until a
technician is available to help you.
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8. Other Methods to Obtain your Military Service Records
Other potential methods to obtain your records
include writing a letter, visiting the NPRC,
contacting your state or county, or hiring an independent
researcher. See Other Methods to Obtain your Military Service
Records for more details.
NOTE: Some companies advertise DD Form 214
research services and will charge a fee for obtaining copies. This
is provided as a free service by the National Archives and Records
Administration.
9. Access to Military Records by the
General Public
Limited information from Official Military
Personnel Files is releasable to the general public without the
consent of the veteran or the next-of-kin. You are considered a
member of the general public if you are asking about a veteran who
is no relation to you, or a veteran who is a relative but you are
not the next-of-kin. Next-of-kin is defined as the unremarried
widow or widower, son or daughter, father or mother, brother or
sister of the deceased veteran.
Access to Military Records by the General Public
and Researchers for details on how to request service
records.
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