How to get copies of military records | USAGov (2024)

FAQs

How to get copies of military records | USAGov? ›

Response times for records requests vary and depend on records availability and workload. AFPC strives to meet a five-day turnaround while requests to NPRC can take 90 days or more.

Response times for records requests vary and depend on records availability and workload. AFPC strives to meet a five-day turnaround while requests to NPRC can take 90 days or more.

The fastest way to obtain a copy is through their website, at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/. Expect a two to three week wait to receive requested records. The SF-180 is also available at your local CalVet Veteran Services CVSO Locations​ or onli​​​ne.

Generally there is no charge for basic military personnel and medical record information provided to veterans, next of kin and authorized representatives from Federal (non-archival) records. Some companies advertise DD Form 214 research services and will charge a fee for obtaining copies.

Some records are only available online and sometimes on more than one website. Some are free to view whilst others are available either via subscription or pay-per-view basis.

To obtain your DD-214 on your own, submit your request via the National Archives and Records Administration webpage or call 314-801-0800.

General Information: Veterans and Next-of-Kin of deceased veterans have the same access rights to the record. The next-of-kin is defined as any of the following: the un-remarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother, or sister of the deceased veteran.

Access to Records, Information for the General Public:

Without the consent of the veteran or next-of-kin, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) can only release limited information from the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) to the general public.

The DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, generally referred to as a "DD 214", is a document of the United States Department of Defense, issued upon a military service member's retirement, separation, or discharge from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States (i.e., U.S. Army, ...

Who holds military records? ›

The National Archives holds Federal military service records from the Revolutionary War to 1912 in the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

To request a complete copy of your health record, you'll need to submit a Request Pertaining to Military Records (SF 180) to the applicable organization as identified on the form. Requests can also be made in person to your last home military hospital or clinic.

The OMPF is stored in the Electronic Military Personnel Record System (EMPRS) and consists of permanent documents that reflect a member's fitness for service, performance of duties, and entitlements, which satisfy both statutory and corporate requirements, and affect or influence a member's career and benefits.

You can request your military service records online using the National Archives' eVetRecs tool. When you get to eVetRecs, select Make a new request. Note: You'll receive an email letting you know that we've received your request.

The records of the men and women called up to National Service during World War Two can also be found in the government's list of military service records. Another place to look is on genealogy and family history websites, who often have resources for checking and searching for military records.

Request them for the DD-214 form. Another way to find out if a person is indeed a military service personnel or not is to request for a copy of their DD-214. The DD-214 or DD Form 214 is a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

To request a copy of your VA medical records by mail or fax, send a signed and completed VA Form 10-5345a to our Release of Information office. We process mailed or faxed requests within 10-14 days.

If you are a veteran or next-of-kin of a deceased veteran, you may now use vetrecs.archives.gov to order a copy of your military records. For all others, your request is best made using a Standard Form 180. It includes complete instructions for preparing and submitting requests.

How Long Does it Take to Receive Copies of Records? According to the National Personnel Records Center 92% of separation record requests are processed within 10 days of receipt. However, health records may take longer. The eVetRecs website has instructions for emergency requests needing faster processing.

Military Personnel Records

Archival records: The National Archives at St. Louis maintains Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs) of those service members that were discharged, retired or deceased 62 years from the current date.