{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"HowTo","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/get-dd214.json#howto","name":"How to get a copy of your DD-214 (military service record)","description":"Step-by-step guide to obtaining your DD-214 from the National Personnel Records Center. The DD-214 is the master document for almost every veteran benefit claim. 4 steps for veterans, plus 1 step for next-of-kin requesting a deceased veteran's record.","url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/get-dd214.json","mainEntityOfPage":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/get-dd214.json","inLanguage":"en-US","isAccessibleForFree":true,"publisher":{"@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/wounded-warriors#organization"},"author":{"@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/wounded-warriors#organization"},"totalTime":"P1D","yield":"Official copy of DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)","estimatedCost":{"@type":"MonetaryAmount","currency":"USD","value":"0"},"tool":[{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"SF-180 form (Request Pertaining to Military Records) — or use eVetRecs online"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Photo ID"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Service number or Social Security Number"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Approximate dates of service + branch"}],"step":[{"@type":"HowToStep","position":1,"name":"Step 1: Try eVetRecs online (fastest)","text":"Go to vetrecs.archives.gov. Most post-2000 service records are digital and can be requested via eVetRecs. Typical turnaround: 7-14 days. You'll need a service number, dates of service, and a way to verify identity. Free.","url":"https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records"},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":2,"name":"Step 2: Mail SF-180 to NPRC if eVetRecs unavailable","text":"If eVetRecs returns \"no record available\" (often happens for older records), mail SF-180 to the National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138. Typical turnaround: 30-90 days. The 1973 fire destroyed many pre-1973 Army + Air Force records; alternate documentation (pay records, separation papers, VA records) may be needed."},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":3,"name":"Step 3: For deceased veterans (next-of-kin)","text":"If requesting for a deceased veteran, you must be the surviving spouse who has not remarried, a child, parent, or sibling. Include a copy of the death certificate. NPRC will release the long-form DD-214 to next-of-kin (vs the abbreviated version a non-NOK would receive)."},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":4,"name":"Step 4: Free help from a CVSO","text":"County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) routinely help veterans obtain DD-214s. They have direct access to NPRC liaison contacts and often resolve \"missing record\" cases faster than self-filed requests. Find your nearest CVSO at warriorsfund.org/find-cvso. Service is FREE.","url":"https://warriorsfund.org/find-cvso"}],"tip":[{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"You may need MORE than one copy. Many programs require certified copies — request multiple at once. Standard fee: free for veterans, $15 per certification for next-of-kin."},{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"If you're a Texas resident, the Texas Veterans Commission can sometimes provide a state-archive copy faster than NPRC. Check with your local CVSO."},{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"Long-form DD-214 includes character of service + reason for separation; short-form does not. Always request long-form if it's for a benefit application."}],"canonical_url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/get-dd214.json","publisher_legal_name":"Wounded Warriors","publisher_ein":"86-1336741","cross_references":{"sample_dd214_term":"https://warriorsfund.org/term/dd-214","sf180_form_info":"https://warriorsfund.org/form/sf-180","find_cvso":"https://warriorsfund.org/find-cvso","nprc_evetrecs":"https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records"},"license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","last_updated":"2026-04-29T23:47:14.097Z"}