How to get your DD214 free from the National Archives.
We built Veteran DD214 because the paperwork can be intimidating. But the truth is, plenty of veterans handle the process just fine on their own. This page walks you through it, step by step. No watered-down version — this is the actual playbook we use.
If after reading this you'd rather we handle it, that option's always there — but we'd rather you have an honest path than a hard sell.
What you're asking for.
A DD214 is the one- or two-page document issued at the end of a service member's active duty. It includes:
- Dates and character of service
- Branch and component (active, reserve, guard)
- Awards, decorations, specialized training
- Reason for separation
It's required for VA benefits, veteran-preference hiring, home loans, school enrollment, funeral benefits, and many other purposes. The DD214 is free from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), a division of the National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri.
Two ways to request a DD214.
Pick the one that fits your situation. Online is faster, but the paper form works for every case.
Path A: eVetRecs
Online portal at vetrecs.archives.gov. Fastest confirmation. Works only if the veteran separated after October 1997 and is requesting their own records.
Walk me through it →
Path B: SF-180
Standard Form 180, the universal paper form. Works for any service era, any branch, and both veteran and next-of-kin requests. Fax or mail to NPRC.
Walk me through it →
The online path.
If you qualify, eVetRecs is by far the fastest option. NPRC sends an automated confirmation within a few business days.
Who can use eVetRecs
- ✓ The veteran is requesting their own records
- ✓ The veteran separated after October 1997
- ✓ Active duty, Reserve, or National Guard service
If you don't fit all three, skip to Path B (SF-180) instead.
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1
Go to vetrecs.archives.gov
Click "Request Military Service Records" to start.
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2
Create an account
You'll need a working email address NPRC can use to confirm receipt.
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3
Fill in your service details
Branch, component, approximate dates, rank at discharge. Best estimates are fine — NPRC can locate records with approximate information.
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4
Electronically sign the privacy release
Required by NPRC to release military records.
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5
Submit and save your case number
NPRC will email a confirmation within a few business days. Save the case number — you'll need it if you call to check status.
The paper form path.
The Standard Form 180 (SF-180) works for any service era, any branch, and both veteran and next-of-kin requests. It has three sections: identifying info, what you're requesting, and your signature.
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1
Download the SF-180
Get the official form (PDF) from archives.gov. Print it, or fill it on-screen and print it for signature.
Download from archives.gov -
2
Fill out Section I (veteran info)
Use the veteran's name as it appeared during service, not the current legal name if it has changed. Include both names if applicable.
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3
Fill out Section II (what you want)
Check the box for "Report of Separation (DD214 or equivalent)" and state the purpose in plain English: "VA home loan," "burial benefits," "personal records."
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4
Sign in Section III
Veterans sign their own request. Next-of-kin sign as the requester and indicate the relationship to the veteran.
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5
Attach proof, if next-of-kin
A copy of the death certificate (or obituary), plus proof of relationship (birth or marriage certificate).
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6
Submit via fax or mail
Fax to 314-801-9195 (fastest). Or mail to: National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138. Mail certified with tracking.
The five most common rejection reasons.
Most rejected SF-180s come from small errors. Avoiding these saves weeks.
Signature in the wrong section
Veterans sign Section III. Next-of-kin sign as the requester and indicate the relationship — don't sign as if you were the veteran.
Name discrepancy
Use the name as it appeared during service. If it's changed since (marriage, legal name change), list both.
Missing proof for next-of-kin
Include a death certificate and proof of relationship up front. Don't wait for NPRC to ask.
Vague service info
Estimates are fine; "served in the military" is not. Specify branch, component, and approximate dates.
Wrong component noted
Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard records can route differently. Note the component clearly.
Requesting for a deceased veteran.
NPRC releases DD214s to eligible next-of-kin: surviving spouse (not remarried), parent, child, or sibling. Other relatives and friends cannot request the record without specific authorization or a court order.
What you'll need to attach
- A copy of the death certificate (state-issued is best; published obituary may also be accepted)
- Documentation of your relationship to the veteran (birth certificate, marriage certificate)
No death certificate? Request one from the state's vital records office where the death occurred — typically $15–25 and 1–4 weeks.
If records were destroyed in the 1973 fire.
A 1973 fire at the NPRC building destroyed an estimated 16–18 million records. Primarily affected:
- Army veterans separated 1912–1959
- Air Force veterans separated 1947–1963 with names beginning Hubbard–Z
NPRC can still issue a reconstructed DD214 using alternate documents — pay records, hospital records, unit morning reports, prior award documentation. This takes longer (6+ months). When submitting, mention that you believe the records may have been affected by the fire, and NPRC will guide you on what alternate documentation they can use.
How long it actually takes.
NPRC's standard processing time is 8 to 12 weeks from when they log your request. Some come back faster; some take longer.
If you've heard nothing in 90 days
- 1 Call NPRC directly at 314-801-0800. Have your submission date and the veteran's identifying information ready.
- 2 Contact your U.S. Senator or Representative's office and ask about a "constituent casework inquiry." Most congressional offices have a dedicated caseworker who can place a status inquiry with NPRC, typically getting a response within 30 days.
Everything in one place.
- eVetRecs portal
- vetrecs.archives.gov
- SF-180 form (PDF)
- archives.gov SF-180
- NPRC main number
- 314-801-0800
- NPRC fax
- 314-801-9195
- NPRC online inquiry
- archives.gov contact
- Mailing address
- 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138
No shame in handing this off.
If you've already tried and got stuck — or you're handling affairs for a deceased family member and don't have the bandwidth — or you simply don't want to spend the time figuring this out, that's exactly why we exist.
We charge $97 for full retrieval (or $147 with a 120-day money-back guarantee). The document itself is still free from the government — you're paying us for the paperwork prep, the follow-up calls, and the secure delivery.