Requesting a DD214 for a loved one who served.
If you've lost a veteran in your family, you may need their DD214 for funeral and burial benefits, estate matters, a VA claim, or to settle a final piece of their record. We can handle the request paperwork on your behalf — so you can focus on the rest of what you're managing.
Who can request the record.
The National Archives releases DD214s of deceased veterans to specific next-of-kin. You're eligible if you are the veteran's:
Surviving spouse
Provided you have not remarried.
Parent
Mother or father of the veteran.
Child
Son or daughter of the veteran.
Sibling
Brother or sister of the veteran.
What you'll need to provide.
The National Archives requires a few documents up front. We'll guide you through providing them after you start your request — but here's what to gather.
-
1
Proof of the veteran's death
A state-issued death certificate is the gold standard. A published obituary is sometimes accepted as a substitute. Funeral home records may also work.
-
2
Proof of your relationship to the veteran
A birth certificate (for a child requesting a parent's record), a marriage certificate (for a spouse), or other documentation that confirms the relationship.
-
3
Basic service information
The veteran's full name during service, approximate dates of service, branch, and last 4 of their SSN if you have it. Estimates are fine — we don't need exact dates.
No death certificate yet?
This is common. State-issued death certificates typically take 1–4 weeks to obtain from the state's vital records office where the death occurred. Cost is usually $15–25 per certified copy.
You can still start your request with us today — we'll begin preparing the SF-180 right away and pause for the death certificate when it arrives. No additional charge for the wait.
How we'll handle it for you.
You're managing a lot right now. Our job is to take the paperwork off your plate entirely.
We prepare the SF-180
We pre-fill the official form with the service details you provide and walk you through what to attach.
We submit to NPRC
Same business day as your signature. We choose the right submission method (mail or fax) based on the veteran's service era.
We follow up actively
Bi-weekly status emails. Direct calls to NPRC at 30, 60, and 90 days. Congressional liaison escalation if needed.
We deliver securely
When the DD214 arrives, we send it to you through an encrypted, expiring link. Never as an email attachment.
Encrypted delivery
DD214s contain an SSN. We never email them as attachments.
A real person handles it
Not a chatbot. Reply to any email and you'll hear from a human.
Updates every two weeks
You'll never wonder where things stand. Even when nothing has changed.
Ready when you are.
A 5-minute intake form gets the request started. If you don't have all the documents yet, that's fine — we'll wait.
Questions first? Email help@veterandd214.com. A real person reads every message.
One-time charge, no subscription. See pricing details →
Request their DD214Rather handle the paperwork yourself? Our free DIY guide walks you through the same process step by step.