Guide
Overview
U.S. military service records, discharge documents (DD-214), pension files, and draft registrations are maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). This directory provides direct links to official request forms and free veteran-record search tools.
Guide
Military Records: DD-214, NPRC, Service Records, and Veterans Benefits Research
Military records fall into three groups: records a veteran can get right away, records that need a formal request, and records from before 1973 that were partly destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire. This guide covers what exists, what survived and how to get it.
The 1973 National Personnel Records Center Fire
On July 12, 1973, a fire at the NPRC in St. Louis, Missouri destroyed approximately 16 to 18 million Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs): about 80% of Army records for those discharged November 1, 1912 to January 1, 1960, and 75% of Air Force records for those discharged September 25, 1947 to January 1, 1964 with names after Hubbard, James E. No microfilm copies existed. While some records were reconstructed from alternate sources (pay records, morning reports, VA files, unit records), many remain permanently lost. Veterans and researchers should be prepared to submit "fire case" requests that use alternate documentation to reconstruct service history.
The DD-214: Most Important Document for Living Veterans
The DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is issued upon every separation from active service since January 1, 1950 (earlier forms include the WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD and NAVCG 553). It is the primary proof of military service and contains: character of discharge (honorable, general, other than honorable, bad conduct, dishonorable), dates and foreign service, decorations and medals, military occupational specialty (MOS/rate), education credits earned, and re-enlistment eligibility code. Keep certified copies of your DD-214 in a safe place; VA asks for proof of service with most benefit claims.
How to Request Military Records: By Requester Type
| Requester | What's Available | How to Request |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran (living) | Full OMPF including medical records | eVetRecs online request or Standard Form 180 (SF-180) to NPRC |
| Next of kin of deceased vet | Full OMPF | eVetRecs or SF-180 with proof of death and relationship |
| General public (service ended 62 or more years ago) | The whole personnel file, as an archival record, for a copying fee | NPRC request via archives.gov |
| General public (service ended less than 62 years ago) | Limited facts such as name, service dates, rank, assignments and awards | NPRC request under the Freedom of Information Act |
The NPRC receives about 4,000 to 5,000 requests a day and asks requesters not to send a follow-up before 90 days have passed.
Key Record Sources Beyond the NPRC
National Archives: pension files (Revolutionary War through early 20th century) and bounty land warrant files are among the most detailed genealogical records available, often including physical descriptions, marriage and children's information, and personal narratives.
VA records: veterans' benefits files at the VA Regional Office contain claims, service connection ratings, and compensation history; they are open to the veteran or an authorized representative.
State Adjutant General's Office: each state keeps its National Guard records; many have digitized service cards and unit histories.
Unit records: morning reports, rosters and unit diaries are held by NARA and show day by day where a unit was and who was present, which helps rebuild a burned file.
Medal and Decoration Verification
Award eligibility is one of the facts the NPRC may release to the public from a personnel file [National Archives]. The official record of an award is in the service member's personnel file, which the NPRC or the branch personnel command provides. Under the Stolen Valor Act of 2013, falsely claiming certain medals, such as the Medal of Honor, Silver Star or Purple Heart, to obtain money, property or another tangible benefit is a federal crime.
Genealogy: Pension Files Are Treasure Troves
For researchers with ancestors who served before World War I, pension application files held at NARA are among the most valuable genealogical records in existence. To claim a pension, veterans (or widows) had to prove service and often provided: sworn statements describing battles and wounds, marriage records, names and ages of children, and witnesses who knew the family. These files routinely contain details found nowhere else. The original files are at NARA, which sells copies online or by mail with NATF Form 85 [National Archives].
Related Guides
Guide
Official Military Record Requests
Guide
Veterans Benefits & Services
Straight answers
Common questions about military records
How do I request a military service record?
Use eVetRecs, the National Archives online request at vetrecs.archives.gov, where you verify your identity with ID.me, or mail or fax a Standard Form 180 to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis. Most veterans and next of kin get copies of the DD 214 free, according to the National Archives.
Are military discharge records (DD-214) public?
Not while they are recent. A DD 214 in a record less than 62 years old is released to the veteran, the next of kin of a deceased veteran, and people they authorize; the public can get only limited facts. Records become archival and open to the public 62 years after the service member left the military, according to the National Archives.
What is the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)?
The NPRC in St. Louis, MO is the federal repository for military personnel, health, and medical records for separated or deceased veterans of all military branches.
How can veterans access their benefits records?
Veterans can access benefits information through VA.gov, which replaced the retired eBenefits portal and provides claims status, payment history, and medical records.
What happened to records destroyed in the 1973 NPRC fire?
The fire at the NPRC on July 12, 1973 destroyed about 80 percent of the files for Army personnel discharged from November 1, 1912 to January 1, 1960, and about 75 percent of the files for Air Force personnel discharged from September 25, 1947 to January 1, 1964 with names after Hubbard, James E. No copies existed. NPRC rebuilds basic service facts from other records it has gathered since, such as morning reports, according to the National Archives.