How to Get Your DD-214 and Military Records

This guide is for veterans, their families, and anyone who needs to get a copy of a DD-214 or other military service records. It walks you through what these records are, who can request them, what you will need, and the different ways to submit your request.

What a DD-214 is and why you need it

The DD-214 is a Report of Separation document that is usually given to a service member after they finish active duty or at least 90 straight days of active duty training. It is the key piece of paper used to confirm military service for things like VA benefits, retirement, job applications, and joining veterans' organizations. You also need it to show proof of honorable active service if you want to be buried in a national cemetery or receive memorial items from the National Cemetery Administration. If a veteran served before January 1, 1950, their separation papers may have a different form number, such as WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD, or NAVCG 553.

Who can request records

Most veterans and their next of kin can get free copies of the DD-214 and other service records from the National Archives. For a deceased veteran, the next of kin includes the surviving spouse who has not remarried, as well as a son, daughter, father, mother, brother, or sister. If you are not the veteran or the next of kin, you can still get the full file, but you must have written consent from the veteran or their next of kin. Without that consent, the National Personnel Records Center will only release limited information from a personnel file that is not yet archival. Military personnel records become open to the public 62 years after the service member leaves the military. At that point, anyone can order these archival records for a copying fee.

Information you must provide

You also need to provide their date and place of birth, especially if you do not know the service number. If you are the next of kin of a veteran who has passed away, you must include proof of death, such as a copy of the death certificate, a letter from a funeral home, or a published obituary. Any authorization from a veteran or next of kin must state exactly what information the NPRC may release and must be signed.

How to submit your request

You can start a records request online for recent military service, and you can also request military medical records through the eVetRecs online form. If you cannot complete the online form, you can print and fill out a Standard Form 180 and send it by mail or fax. Mail the completed SF 180 to the National Personnel Records Center at 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138. The fax number for submitting a request is 314-801-9195. Requests for military personnel records cannot be accepted by email because the Privacy Act of 1974 and Department of Defense rules require a written request that is signed and dated.

Records affected by the 1973 fire

A fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis in 1973 destroyed some Army and Air Force records. About 80 percent of Army records for veterans discharged between November 1, 1912, and January 1, 1960, were lost. For the Air Force, roughly 75 percent of records were destroyed for veterans discharged between September 25, 1947, and January 1, 1964, whose last names start with Hubbard through the end of the alphabet. If records were lost, you can submit supplemental documents to help reconstruct a file, such as buddy statements, military accident reports, letters or photos from service, prescription records, and private medical reports from during or shortly after service.

Where to get help

You can call the NPRC Customer Service Line toll-free at 1-866-272-6272. You can learn more about requesting military service records from the National Archives. For the final word on your own situation, reach out to the National Personnel Records Center or a qualified veterans service officer.

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