How to Get a Copy of Your DD-214: eVetRecs, SF-180, and Timing

To get a copy of your DD-214, submit a request to the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, either through the eVetRecs online portal at vetrecs.archives.gov or by mailing a signed Standard Form 180.¹ The request is free for veterans, next-of-kin, and authorized representatives, and both paths require a handwritten signature to finalize.

Who Can Request the Record

Federal law limits access to military personnel files for veterans who separated less than 62 years ago. Only three categories of people can request the full DD-214 during that window:²

The veteran, at any time.
Next-of-kin of a deceased veteran, defined as the un-remarried surviving spouse, parent, child, or sibling.
An authorized representative with a signed authorization or power of attorney from the veteran.

Members of the general public cannot obtain the full DD-214 for a veteran who separated within the last 62 years. Through the Freedom of Information Act, the NPRC will release only limited items like name, rank, and dates of service without the veteran’s written consent.³ Records 62 or more years old are archival and open to anyone, subject to NARA’s copy fees.²

What to Have Ready Before You Start

Missing information is the most common cause of delay, so gather everything below before you begin:¹

The full name used during service, including any maiden names or variations.
Social Security number, which is the primary identifier the NPRC uses.
Service number, for older records (generally pre-1970s) that predate SSN use.
Branch of service: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force.
Approximate dates of service, even a rough range, which helps narrow common-name searches.

A next-of-kin requesting records for a deceased veteran also needs proof of death, such as a death certificate, funeral home letter, or published obituary. An authorized representative must include documentation of their authority, such as a power of attorney. Providing false information on a records request is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. § 1001, punishable by fines and up to five years in prison.⁴

Ask for the Long Form

Service members receive two copies at discharge. The Member-4 copy, commonly called the long form, contains every field, including character of service, separation authority, and the narrative reason for separation. The Member-1 short form omits the character of service, RE code, and separation details. Employers, lenders, and government agencies almost always need the Member-4. When you fill out your request, specify the long form so you don’t have to submit a second one.

The Two Ways to Submit

Both options route to the National Personnel Records Center, and both require a handwritten or wet signature.

eVetRecs Online

The fastest way to start is the eVetRecs portal at vetrecs.archives.gov.⁵ The system walks you through each field and lets you check status or retrieve a completed response later. A written signature is still required to finalize the request.⁶

Standard Form 180 by Mail or Fax

Download SF-180 from the National Archives website, which links to the current version.⁷ The form is three pages and fillable on a computer, but you must print, sign by hand, and mail it to:

National Personnel Records Center (Military Personnel Records)
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138-1002

You can also fax the completed SF-180 to the NPRC; the current fax number appears on the form’s instruction page.

Emergency and Expedited Requests

If you need the DD-214 urgently for a funeral, a medical emergency, or replacement after a natural disaster, the NPRC runs a separate expedited track:⁸

In eVetRecs, select “Emergency Request” from the drop-down on the Veteran Service Details page that asks why you’re requesting records.
By phone, call the NPRC Customer Service Line at 314-801-0800, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time.
For a burial at a VA National Cemetery, contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117, which coordinates directly with the National Archives to verify eligibility.
For a burial elsewhere, fax an SF-180 to the NPRC Customer Service Team at 314-801-0764, signed by the next-of-kin and accompanied by proof of death.
For a natural disaster replacement, write “Natural Disaster” in the comments field of eVetRecs or the purpose field of SF-180.

How Long It Takes and What It Costs

Allow about 10 days for the NPRC to receive and begin processing your request; after that you can check status online.⁹ Total turnaround runs anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on volume and how complete your paperwork is. Incomplete submissions and common-name matches without a service number are the usual reasons a request stalls.

There is no charge for veterans, next-of-kin, or authorized representatives to obtain the DD-214 and other basic personnel and medical record information from non-archival files.¹ Archival records (62 or more years old) are subject to NARA’s copy fee schedule. Third-party companies sometimes charge for this service; the National Archives provides it free.

If Your Records Were Lost in the 1973 Fire

A fire at the NPRC on July 12, 1973, destroyed approximately 16 to 18 million personnel files, with no duplicates. The heaviest losses fell on two groups:¹⁰

Army personnel discharged between November 1, 1912, and January 1, 1964: roughly 80 percent lost.
Air Force personnel discharged between September 25, 1947, and January 1, 1964, with last names alphabetically after Hubbard, James E.: roughly 75 percent lost.

If your service falls within these ranges, the NPRC will attempt to reconstruct basic service information using auxiliary sources such as records from other federal agencies, VA claim files, and surviving unit records. The center maintains a Reconstructed File registry for these rebuilt records. When you submit your request, provide every piece of identifying information you can find, including unit assignments, duty stations, and service dates, so the reconstruction team has the best chance of locating alternate documentation.¹⁰

1
National Archives. Request Military Service Records
2
National Archives. Access to Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) – Veterans and Next-of-Kin
3
National Archives. Access to Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) for the General Public
4
Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 1001 – Statements or Entries Generally
5
National Archives and Records Administration. Request Veteran Records
6
National Archives. Military Service Records
7
National Archives. Request Military Personnel Records Using Standard Form 180
8
National Archives. Emergency Requests
9
National Archives. Check the Status of a Request for Military Service Records
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National Archives. The 1973 Fire, National Personnel Records Center