Military Personnel Records
Military personnel records can include DD 214s/Separation Documents, service personnel records found within the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), and medical records. Military personnel records can be used for proving military service or as a valuable tool in genealogical research.
Please note that NPRC holds historical Military Personnel Records of nearly 100 million veterans. The vast majority of these records are paper-based and not available on-line. Learn More
Here is the link to order online: https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
Instructions
Online Requests Using eVetRecs
Our online eVetRecs system creates a customized order form to request information from your, or your relative's, military personnel records.
You may use this system if you are:
- A military veteran, or
- Next of kin of a deceased, former member of the military. The next of kin can be any of the following:
- Surviving spouse that has not remarried
- Father
- Mother
- Son
- Daughter
- Sister
- Brother
Who Can Request Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF)
Access depends on the discharge date:
- OMPF Archival record - discharge date of 1953 or prior*
These records are archival and are open to the public.
- Any archival OMPF can be ordered online for a copying fee.
- See Access to Military Records by the General Public for more details.
- OMPF Federal (non-archival) record - discharge date of 1953 or after*
These records are non-archival and are maintained under the Federal Records Center program. Non-archival records are subject to access restrictions.
- the military veteran, or
- the next-of-kin (un-remarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister)
- Use the link at the top of this page to get started using eVetRecs or Standard Form 180(SF 180).
* Please note: Records are accessioned into the National Archives, and become archival, 62 years after the service member's separation from the military. This is a rolling date; hence, the current year, 2015, minus 62 years is 1953. Learn more
Visit eVetRecs Help and FAQ to learn more about how to use eVetRecs.
Required Information
Your request must contain certain basic information for us to locate your service records. This information includes:
- The veteran's complete name used while in service
- Service number
- Social security number
- Branch of service
- Dates of service
- Date and place of birth (especially if the service number is not known).
- If you suspect your records may have been involved in the 1973 fire, also include:
- Place of discharge
- Last unit of assignment
- Place of entry into the service, if known.
- All requests must be signed and dated by the veteran or next-of-kin.
- If you are the next of kin of a deceased veteran, you must provide proof of death of the veteran such as a copy of death certificate, letter from funeral home, or published obituary.
"Emergency" Requests and Deadlines
If your request is urgent (for example, upcoming surgery, a funeral, etc.) tell us the nature of the emergency and your deadline in the "Comments" section of eVetRecs or in the "Purpose" section of the Standard Form (SF) 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records.
- Fax your request to our Customer Service Team at 314- 801-0764.
- Call our customer service staff at 314-801-0800 if you have questions or require same-day service. Due to the large number of calls we receive at this number, hold times are often long. However, once you reach a technician, he or she will be happy to assist you with emergency service.
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DoD Releases Clarifying Guidance to Veterans Regarding Discharges and Military Records 08/28/2017 04:57 PM CDT
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