How to Find the Military Status of a Person

The Servicemembers' Civil Service Relief Act of 2003 gives individuals serving in the military protection from certain civil obligations, including pending trials, credit card debt and taxes. Whether you're helping your spouse or relative find out if they qualify for these protections or need to verify an individual's military status for financial or legal purposes, the Department of Defense provides a way for you to do a quick search online and obtain a free digital certificate. Or you can send for a certificate through the mail for a small fee.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Printer
• Envelope
• Pen
• Stamp

Instructions

1. Visit the Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act search page at dmdc.osd.mil to look up an individual's current active military status.

2. Enter the requested information--such as Social Security number, first name, last name and date of birth--in the boxes provided on the left. Re-enter the information in the boxes on the right.

3. Click Look Up to see a digital certificate showing the individual's current active military status. If your search produces no results, the certificate will state that the Department of Defense does not have information indicating the person is on active duty.

4. Send a letter requesting information on an individual's military status to the appropriate military office if you don't want to perform an online search, if your search produced no results or if you need to check a military status that isn't current. Provide as much information as possible, including Social Security number, date of birth and full first, middle and last names. Enclose a check for $5.20 made payable to "Treasurer of the United States."

5. Use one of the following addresses on the envelope, depending on which military branch you're requesting a certificate from:

   Army:
   Army World Wide Locator Service
   Enlisted Records and Evaluation Center
   8899 East 56th St.
   Indianapolis, IN 46249-5031

   Navy:
   Bureau of Naval Personnel
   PERS-312E
   5720 Integrity Dr.
   Millington, TN 38055-3120

   Air Force:
   Air Force Manpower and Personnel Center
   ATTN: Air Force Locator/MSIMDL
   550 C St. W., Suite 50
   Randolph Air Force Base, TX 78150-4752

   Marine Corps:
   Commandant of the Marine Corps
   Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (MMSB10)
   2008 Elliott Rd., Suite 201
   Quantico, VA 22134-5030

References

• United States Department of Defense: Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act Certificates
• Defense Manpower Data Center: Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act Search
• Defense Manpower Data Center.mil: Digital Certificate Help

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Military.com: Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act Overview