Request military service records
Request a DD214 or other military service documents from the responsible records custodian.
Who this program may help
Veterans and qualifying next of kin have specific access rules; other requesters may need authorization.
Read official eligibility instructions1. Specify which record you need
Personnel, treatment and inpatient clinical records may need different details.
Identify the service period and requested record; use the custodian’s record-type instructions.
Why this matters
A general DD214 request is not every clinical-record request.
The holder identifies the appropriate records search.
Official references
2. Use the record-location instructions
The branch, separation date and record type select the custodian.
Use SF-180’s chart or the appropriate current service instructions.
Why this matters
Do not send every military request to one universal address.
Documents for this step
- Standard Form 180
Paper military-record request
alternative
NARA may refer a request to another custodian.
Official references
3. Submit the official request
NARA provides online and paper request methods.
Use eVetRecs or sign and send SF-180 to the chart’s destination.
Why this matters
Written nonarchival requests require the applicable signature.
Official action:
Continue to the National Archives to request recordsFor emergencies, follow NARA’s designated emergency instructions.
Keep the online acknowledgement or signed request copy.
The custodian acknowledges or processes the request.
Official references
4. Provide authority or death evidence when applicable
Someone else’s records have additional access rules.
Use the next-of-kin or authorized-requester instructions and requested death evidence.
Why this matters
Relationship alone does not unlock every record.
Documents for this step
- Death evidence or request authority
Requesting another person’s records
conditional
The custodian determines access authority.
Official references
5. Follow the custodian’s status instructions
Response time depends on the records and workload.
Retain the request reference and follow NARA’s ordinary instruction against duplicating a request before 90 days.
Why this matters
Repeated requests can cause delays.
Urgent cases use the separate emergency procedure.
Keep the agency’s response and original file.
The holder supplies records or explains the search result.
VA benefits and burial requests
VA’s public instructions say it may obtain a DD214 for a benefits application; cemetery scheduling can help locate service records. Do not make a separate records request a universal prerequisite to applying.