How to get a copy of your DD-214 — free from the National Archives (eVetRecs or SF-180) or milConnect
The DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, is the document most veteran benefits start from. Veterans, and the next of kin of a deceased veteran, can get a free copy from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis: online through the National Archives' eVetRecs tool (identity verified with ID.me), or by mailing or faxing Standard Form 180 to the address on the form. Members who separated recently — Air Force after October 1, 2004, Army after October 1, 2002, Marine Corps after January 1, 1999, Navy after January 1, 1995 — can also download it from the Defense Department's milConnect. If you are applying for VA benefits, VA requests the DD-214 for you.
What you'll need
- The veteran's full name, Social Security or service number, branch, and dates of service (approximate dates are acceptable)
- An ID.me account (identity verified) for eVetRecs, or Standard Form 180 for mail or fax
- For next of kin: proof of the veteran's death (death certificate, obituary or funeral home letter)
- A milConnect login (CAC, DS Logon or ID.me) if you separated after the dates above
Step-by-step
Step 1: Request online through eVetRecs
Go to archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records and select "Start Request Online." You will verify your identity through ID.me (the National Archives may ask for a live selfie), then enter the veteran's information and what you need. You receive an email confirmation and can check the request status online. Veterans and next of kin pay nothing; the National Archives warns that companies advertising DD-214 "research services" charge for what NPRC provides free.
Reference: https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
Step 2: Or mail or fax Standard Form 180
Download Standard Form 180 (Request Pertaining to Military Records), complete it, and send it to the address or fax number on the last page of the form — the chart there depends on your branch, separation date and the type of record. Send copies of any supporting documents, not originals; they are not returned.
Reference: https://www.gsa.gov/reference/forms/request-pertaining-to-military-records
Step 3: Recent separations — download from milConnect
If you were discharged from the Air Force after October 1, 2004, the Army after October 1, 2002, the Marine Corps after January 1, 1999 or the Navy after January 1, 1995, your records are held by the Defense Department and you can download the DD-214 from milConnect after signing in. Marines who served from 1998 on and Coast Guard members from 2008 on can also request records from their personnel command; a request to the National Archives is forwarded there.
Reference: https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/
Step 4: Next of kin of a deceased veteran
The un-remarried surviving spouse, parent, child or sibling of a deceased veteran can request the record the same ways, with proof of death (death certificate, other public record of death, or a letter from a funeral home). Records become public 62 years after separation and can then be ordered by anyone for a copying fee. For a burial in a VA national cemetery you do not need to request the record yourself: the National Cemetery Scheduling Office obtains what it needs to determine eligibility.
Reference: https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/
Step 5: Timing, status and the 1973 fire
NPRC receives roughly 4,000–5,000 requests a day and does not publish a fixed turnaround; it asks that you not send a follow-up before 90 days have passed. Check status online or call the NPRC Customer Service Line at 314-801-0800 (8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Central). Burial and other emergency requests have a separate expedited path described on the archives.gov page. A 1973 fire destroyed about 80% of Army personnel files for discharges from November 1, 1912 to January 1, 1960 and about 75% of Air Force files for discharges from September 25, 1947 to January 1, 1964 (surnames after Hubbard, James E.); NPRC can often reconstruct service from other records.
Reference: https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/fire-1973
Critical tips
- Ask for the "undeleted" (long-form, Member 4) copy for benefit claims — it shows character of service and the reason for separation; the short form omits them.
- If you recorded your DD-214 with your county clerk when you came home, the clerk can issue a certified copy, often the same day.
- If you are filing a VA claim, you do not need to get the DD-214 first — VA requests it when it receives your application.
- A county veterans service officer can submit the request with you for free: warriorsfund.org/find-cvso.
- In crisis: dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255.