How to Get a Veteran's Discharge Card

U.S. military documents are available through the Veteran's Service office.

Copies of U.S. military records are available from the U.S. government through the Veteran's Service office. This office handles all requests for discharge documents from all branches of the U.S. military. The Veteran's Service office provides multiple methods to request records and veterans can request discharge documents online, via U.S. mail or in person.

Instructions

1. Obtain a Standard Form 180 to request military records. This form is available online or by contacting the National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63138. Standard Form 180 is also available through veteran's service organizations, local VA offices, any Federal Information Center or the Department of Defense.

2. Write a letter requesting records or fill out the Standard Form 180. If choosing to write a letter, be sure to include as much identifying information as possible as the archives contain records on over 70 million military veterans. Provide the complete full legal name used while in the service, service or social security number, branch of service, dates of service, date and place of birth, place of discharge, last unit of assignment and place of entry into the service. If requesting records for a deceased service member, include proof of death such as a copy of the death certificate, obituary or letter from the funeral home.

3. Sign the request in cursive and provide a date on the letter or form that falls within the last year. The Veteran's Service office permits more than one request per envelope, but requests for separate records must be on different forms or requested in different letters. The request may be submitted online, mailed to the National Personnel Records Center or sent via fax to 314-801-9195. All records will be sent via U.S. mail. The Records Center receives between 4,000 and 5,000 requests for records per day and is able to process requests within 10 business days. The Center requests that applicants do not send follow-up inquiries until 90 days have passed since the original request was sent.

References

• National Archives; Other Methods to Obtain Military Service Records; National Archives and Records Administration;
• National Archives; Military Record Requests; National Archives and Records Administration; 2011
• National Archives; Standard Form 180; National Archives and Records Administration; October 2010