How to Get an Army DD214
When soldiers leave the Army, the most important document they receive is a Form DD214 Report of Separation. It contains a soldier's entire military record on one piece of paper. Normally, the DD214 will be given to soldiers on their last day in the Army. However, there are cases in which the DD214 will be needed later in life and a soldier may no longer have the original. Knowing how to get a copy of this document is important for service members and their families.
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Things You'll Need
- Soldier's name during service
- Soldier's Social Security number
- Soldier's birth date
- Soldier's rank
- Soldier's dates of military service
Instructions
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File a request online using the National Archives eVetRecs portal. This method can only be used if you are the veteran or a deceased veteran's next of kin. If you are the next of kin, you will be required to provide a death certificate or some other proof of the veteran's death.
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File a request for a DD214 by filling out a Form 180 Request Pertaining to Military Records if you are not the veteran or the next of kin of a deceased veteran.
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Obtain a signed authorization letter from the veteran granting permission to release the DD214. The National Archives website suggests that the letter say the following: "I authorize the National Personnel Records Center, or other custodian of my military service record, to release to (your name or that of your company and/or organization) the following information and/or copies of documents from my military service record."
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Fax the completed Form 180 and the signed authorization letter to (314) 801-9195. Mail the request to:
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
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Tips & Warnings
Contact The National Archives if you have any questions.
References
Resources
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Comments
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Why can't I obtain a copy of my DD214 in Illinois? Why make this so complicated?
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why does it have to be so damn complicated to try and get a copy of your military dd214.
