How to Find a Military DD214 Record
The DD Form 214, or Report of Separation, is a military document issued when a veteran is discharged from the service. The form provides an overall picture of a veteran's service and contains information such as date and place of service entry, military education, decorations and medals received and type of separation. There are two ways to request a DD Form 214: mailing a Standard Form 180 to the National Personnel Records Center or online through eVetRecs. The DD Form 214 is required to prove military service when applying for benefits, membership in veterans' organizations, future employment and retirement benefits.
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Instructions
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Download a Standard Form 180 from the National Archives website (see Resources). Complete the form as thoroughly as possible. In section 2, mark the box "DD Form 214 or equivalent." Beneath that, mark either "undeleted" or "deleted" depending on which type of record you seek.
The form must include your signature, or it will not be processed.
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Mail the Standard Form 180 to:
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5100
The typical turnaround time for a response is a month. If there are any questions regarding the information provided, the National Personnel Records Center will contact you.
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Place an order for a DD Form 214 online through the National Archives eVetRecs system if you are a veteran requesting your own records or the next of kin of a deceased veteran.
Enter the eVetRecs system to begin the process (see Resources). Complete the four steps. The information requested is the same information as on the Standard Form 180.
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Mail or fax a copy of the eVetRecs request to:
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5100
Fax 314-801-9195
The National Personnel Records Center requires a signature before processing the request. Turnaround time is usually a month.
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Tips & Warnings
The National Archives defines next of kin of a deceased veteran as father, mother, sister, brother, son, daughter or surviving spouse who has not remarried.
References
- The National Archives: How to Request Military Service Records or Prove Military Service
- The National Archives: DD Form 214, Discharge Papers and Separation Documents
- The National Archives: Military Record Requests: Standard Form SF-180
- The National Archives: eVetRecs Request Copies of Military Personnel Records
Resources
- Photo Credit in the army image by Tomasz Pawlowski from Fotolia.com
