Requesting Copies of Military Records

REQUESTING COPIES OF MILITARY RECORDS

Military personnel records can be used for proving military service or as a valuable tool in genealogical research.

Access to Military Records

Without the consent of the veteran or next-of-kin, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) can only release limited information from the Official Military Personnel File to the general public. Next-of-kin is defined as the un-remarried widow or widower, child, parent or sibling of the deceased veteran. However, military personnel records are open to the public 62 years after the service member's separation from the military and can be ordered by anyone for a copying fee.

How to Request Military Records (Veteran or Next-of-Kin)

• Online – You can request records online at vetrecs.archives.gov.
• Mail – Complete Standard Form 180 (Request Pertaining to Military Records) and mail it to the appropriate address listed on the last page of the form. Download Form. If you do not have access to a computer, you can obtain a copy of Standard Form 180 from your local VA office, from veterans service organizations, or by mailing a request for a form to the NPRC, 1 Archives Dr., St. Louis, MO 63138.
• Fax – You can fax the completed Standard Form 180 to 314-801-9195.

Required Information

Your request must include the following information:

• Veteran's complete name used while in service
• Social security number
• Service number (if service was during the period when service numbers were assigned as personal identifiers)
• Branch of service
• Dates of service
• Date and place of birth may also be helpful, especially if the service number is not known
• If the request pertains to a record that may have been involved in the 1973 fire at the NPRC, also include:
  • Place of discharge
  • Last unit of assignment
  • Place of entry into the service, if known
• Next-of-kin must provide proof of death of the veteran, such as a copy of the death certificate, a letter from the funeral home, or a published obituary.

All requests must be signed and dated by the veteran or next-of-kin.

Response Time

Response times for records requested from the NPRC vary and are dependent on the complexity of the request, the availability of records, and the NPRC workload. Allow about 10 days for the NPRC to receive and process your request before checking the status. You can check the status of your request online – archives.gov/personnel-records-center/forms – or by calling 314-801-0800.

Emergency Request

If your request is urgent, select Emergency Request in the Veteran Service Details section of the online record request, or you can include that information in the "Purpose" section of the Standard Form 180 and fax it to 314-801-0764. You may also contact NPRC Customer Service at 314-801-0800 if you have questions.

If your request involves internment at a Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery, contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117 or visit their website cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/. The NPRC works directly with the Veterans Affairs staff to obtain records to verify service for burial benefits. If the veteran is not being interred at a National Cemetery, the next-of-kin may fax the Standard Form 180 (including signature of the next-of-kin and proof of death) to NPRC Customer Service 314-801-0764.