Here's exactly what happens after you hire us.
No black box. No vague promises. You'll know what we're doing, when we're doing it, and what to expect in your inbox each step of the way.
Tell us about your service
You'll fill out a short intake form (a few minutes) with the basics: full name during service, branch, approximate dates, and what you need the DD214 for. If you're requesting on behalf of a deceased family member, we'll ask a few extra questions about your relationship and the veteran.
We ask for the last four digits here, and that's all we keep. The National Archives needs the full Social Security Number to find the record, so you enter it once when you sign the form. It goes straight onto the SF-180 and is never stored in our database. The signed form itself is encrypted where we hold it.
Review and sign
We prepare the completed Standard Form 180 (SF-180) with the information you gave us and send you a link to sign it. You'll see the actual form, add the full Social Security Number and a couple of details only the signer can give, then sign with your finger, mouse, or by typing your name. It works on a phone and takes about a minute.
NPRC requires the veteran's signature (or eligible next-of-kin's). That's the one part we can't do for you. Everything around it is on us.
We submit and follow up
Within one business day of your signature, we submit the request to the National Archives. Depending on your service era, that's via the eVetRecs online portal (post-1997 separations), secure fax, or certified mail. We track the submission and check in with NPRC at the 30, 60, and 90-day marks if we haven't heard back.
Every two weeks, you'll receive a status update by email, even when there's no new news. It's the simplest way to ensure you're never wondering whether anything is happening.
Secure delivery
When your DD214 arrives from NPRC, we verify it for legibility and accuracy, then deliver it through an encrypted, expiring download link. The link is good for 7 days. Your DD214 contains your Social Security Number. That's not the kind of thing that should live in your inbox as an attachment.
If anything about the document is wrong (name spelling, dates, branch), let us know. We'll work with NPRC to correct it at no additional charge.
What to expect, week by week.
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Day 0: You order
Order confirmation in your inbox immediately. We start preparing the SF-180.
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Day 1: Review and sign
We send the completed SF-180 for your e-signature, by email or right on the site, depending on what we offer that day. Takes about a minute.
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Day 1–2: We submit to NPRC
Within one business day of your signature. You get a confirmation email with the submission method and date.
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Weeks 2–12: In the NPRC queue
Standard NPRC processing. We email you every two weeks. We call NPRC at 30, 60, and 90 days if no response.
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Weeks 8–12 (typical): Your DD214 arrives
We verify it, then send you an encrypted download link valid for 7 days.
Note: Records affected by the 1973 NPRC fire (mostly Army 1912–1959 and Air Force 1947–1963 names Hubbard–Z) require a reconstruction process that typically runs 6+ months. We'll set that expectation upfront if your case falls into that category.
What we don't do, and why.
The DD214 space has a lot of operators making promises they can't keep. We'd rather be honest upfront.
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We don't promise faster than NPRC works.
NPRC sets the pace. We submit cleanly, follow up actively, and keep you informed, but we can't conjure a DD214 in 48 hours. Anyone telling you otherwise is being dishonest.
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We don't mark up the document.
The DD214 is free from the National Archives. We charge for our work, not the document. Our DIY guide tells you how to get it free yourself.
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We don't handle services outside DD214.
No DD215 corrections, no medical records, no discharge upgrades. Those are separate processes. We do one thing.
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We don't share your data.
No marketing emails, no data brokers, no third-party "partners." Just NPRC and the tools we need to do the work.