How to Obtain Copies of Your Military Service Records
Your military service records are critical to obtaining benefits through the Veterans Administration.
Click the following link to register and request records through the MilConnect Portal.
You can request the following records:
- DD214
- DD215
- Report of Separation
- Other release papers
- Orders and endorsements
- Performance reports
- Awards and decorations (commendatory items)
- Qualifications, licenses, and certificates
- Security clearance
You also can request your military records in these other ways:
- Mail or fax a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form SF 180) to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).
Click this link to Download Form SF 180 - Write a letter to the NPRC. Send it to:
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63138
- Visit the NPRC in person
- Contact your state or county Veterans agency
- Hire an independent researcher
Robert is an Army combat veteran with service in Vietnam, Europe, the Pentagon, and the Department of State. He is an advocate for disabled veteran awareness and suicide prevention.
Who can request military records? My uncle is 92 – a Marine veteran of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in Korea. I would love to get his records to make him a well deserved shadowbox. He is scheduled for the Honor Flight in the spring from Nashville, TN and want to have something special for him upon his return.
Hello Christy,
The best next step is to contact a VFW service officer next where you live and they can help you through the process. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://vfwtn.org/uploads/Documents/TennesseeVeteransServicesDirectory.pdf
Best,
Robert
Hello. I am a retired Marine MSgt. After 20 years and 4 combat tours, my last LT Col wouldn’t even submit me for a Mert Service Medal which I earn and deserve. I want my medal. I am trying to get my SRB to take to my congressman.
Search for service records
For my father-in-law, He is a Honorably
Discharged Marine Reservist from 1952-1957.
I have his records from the National Archives
but nowhere is his annual 2 week training
at Camp Lejuene specified.
Do you know where I can find this information?
His Depot at the time was 2nd Supply depot
In Phil’a Pa where he did his monthly weekend duty.
As for the annual 2 week training and
the boot camp at Parris Island. Neither location shows up in his Military Records.
Strange because both must be completed to receive an Honorable Discharge.
It is also specified in the Marine reserves
contract when signing up.
I’ve tried every I could but come up empty.
He is still alive and bed ridden with Parkinson’s
Disease. He 86 years old.
Your help is appreciated.
I am a disabled Vietnam vet myself.
Hello Stan,
My apologies for the delay. We don’t have anyone on staff with deep expertise in this area. I would suggest you contact a veteran service officer (VSO) at your local VFW or American legion post.
Thank you for your service.
Best, Roert
Hi Stan,
We have had several veterans with this issue. We don’t have anyone on staff with deep expertise in this area. A good next step is to you contact a veteran service officer (VSO) at your local VFW or American legion post and they should be able to help and guide you.
Thank you for your service.
Best, Robert
I am a funeral Director and am trying to locate records for a family so they can get a Flag and a Bronze Veteran Marker for their loved one. I have submitted the SF 180 and have received a letter claiming a DD214 does not exist. I have also faxed in a letter to NPRC and have never received a response. As a grand daughter of a Veteran I am a little disheartened that a Veteran is not able to get a proper headstone because someone supposedly cannot find his paperwork.
Denise,
Apologies for the late response. A good step would be to contact a Veteran Service Officer at your local American Legion or VFW post who will be happy to help you with this. Best, Robert
Stan this is Joe T Weston private first class discharge May 27th and 1976 I need my DD 214 form I lost my original but I need another one to obtain a home loan how do I get it without paying for it thank you
Hello Joe,
Thanks for contacting us. Instructions for obtaining a copy of your DD214 are at this link – https://dven.org/how-to-obtain-a-copy-of-your-dd-214/. If you have an issue, make an appointment with your local VA office of a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) at your local VFW or American Legion post. Good luck and thank you for your service.
I need a copy of my Dd214. I was in the army in1981-1983
Hi Tammy,
Thanks for contacting us. We don’t process DD 214 requests but instructions for obtaining a copy of your DD214 are at this link – https://dven.org/how-to-obtain-a-copy-of-your-dd-214/.
If you have an issue, make an appointment with your local VA office of a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) at your local VFW or American Legion post. I know they will be happy to help you.
Good luck and thank you for your service!
Need a copy of DD214
Have my dog tags
Hi Steven,
Thanks for contacting us. We don’t process DD 214 requests but instructions for obtaining a copy of your DD214 are at this link – https://dven.org/how-to-obtain-a-copy-of-your-dd-214/.
If you have an issue, make an appointment with your local VA office of a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) at your local VFW or American Legion post. I know they will be happy to help you.
Good luck. Thank you for your service! And Happy Holidays!
I have been requesting a dd214 for my father who has passed away now for 5 months have not heard a word
Hello Jack,
Sorry to hear you are having trouble. I used the process at the following link to obtain a copy of my DD 214. If this doesn’t work, contact a service officer at your local American Legion or VFW post and they can assist you. https://dven.org/how-to-obtain-a-copy-of-your-dd-214/
Best, Robert
Is there online community I can meet veterans?
Hello Kim,
Together We Served has a huge veteran database and community – https://www.togetherweserved.com/. Even better, though, visit your local VFW, DAV, or American Legion post in person. Most posts have a Facebook page.
Good luck and thanks for your service.
Best,
Robert
I have a DD 214N from the Navy, could you tell me what the N stands for?
Hi Alan,
The N indicates that it is the Navy’s version of the DD-214.
Best,
Robert
I am veteran and would like to know if I am able to access health care records from the period when I was on active duty? Can I access old health records through My Healthevet?
Hello Peter,
You should be able to obtain them through this website: https://vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.html
Best,
Robert
Hello Robert is there anyway I can access my husband’s military records
His name is Xavier and I don’t know where to go to look for that
Hi Ashley,
Just follow the instructions on the page. If you have trouble, contact a veteran service officer (VSO) at the local American Legion, VFW, or DAV post and they can guide you.
Best, Robert
A friend of mine who was a veteran recently passed away and his widowed Wife asked me where can she get or obtain a copy of his DD-214
Hello Frederick: Just have them follow the steps on this page – How to Obtain a Copy of Your DD 214
Best, Robert
Yup
Hi: I want to order a VA headstone for a friend (Army vet from 1950s) who died a few years ago. He had very little in the way of family and they did not erect a stone. The VA help line says I do not have to be a family member to order a stone, although the VA Form 40-1330 appears to requite a connection. Also, can I order a copy of his DD-214 if I am not a relative? Thanks.
Hello Keith. Concerning the DD-214, if you are not a family member, you generally cannot order a DD 214 for someone else. Access to a veteran’s DD 214 is typically restricted to the veteran themselves or their next of kin if the veteran is deceased. The next of kin can include the surviving spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the veteran.
For living veterans, only legal guardians can request a DD 214 on their behalf. If you do not fall into these categories, you would not be eligible to request a DD 214 for someone else.
Here is what we have found concerning the stone:
Anyone can order a headstone for a deceased veteran from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but there are specific requirements and procedures to follow:
1.Eligibility:The deceased veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable or have died while on active duty. Veterans who died on or after November 1, 1990, are eligible for a headstone or marker, even if their grave is already marked by a private headstone.
2. Who Can Apply: The application for a government-furnished headstone or marker can be made by the decedent’s next-of-kin, an authorized representative on behalf of the decedent, or an authorized representative on behalf of the next-of-kin. If someone other than the next-of-kin applies, they must include a written statement signed by the next-of-kin authorizing them to apply.
3. Application Process: To apply, the applicant must submit VA Form 40-1330, “Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker,” along with necessary documentation such as the veteran’s discharge certificate (DD Form 214).
4. Types of Markers: The VA provides various types of markers and headstones, including flat markers in granite, marble, and bronze, as well as upright headstones in granite and marble. The style must be consistent with existing monuments at the burial site.
5. Cost: The headstone or marker itself is provided at no charge by the VA. However, any fees related to setting the headstone in a private cemetery are the responsibility of the applicant.
All the best for the Holidays!