All other requests will continue to be delayed until Phase Three of reopening (we are unable to provide a projected date).

Most records needed to respond to requests are in paper format and are accessible only by staff working on-site.  However, modern service records [generally veterans who separated after Calendar Year 2000] are available in electronic format.  NPRC has deployed new digital delivery functionality to enable some of these requests to be serviced by its staff from remote locations.  

To be eligible for this service it is imperative that requesters provide an email address with their request.  If you provide an email address and your request involves records available in electronic format, our staff will obtain the records and provide you with credentials that will enable you to download the requested records from a secure server.  

This service is available only when (1) the responsive records are available in digital format, and (2) requesters provide an email address with their request.

Resource

• https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/medical-records.html

In many instances, records that are available in electronic formats may also be accessed directly by veterans, without involvement from

NPRC, through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)  eBenefits application at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage or the Department of Defense milConnect application at https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/.   Modern military medical records may be accessed through the VA’s Blue Button application at https://www.va.gov/health-care/get-medical-records/.  For more information regarding the online availability of VA and military records, please visit https://www.va.gov/records/.

We regret we are unable to provide a more optimistic forecast for the resumption of normal service levels.  We hope the above on-line resources are helpful and greatly appreciate your patience during these unprecedented times.

More information about the National Archives’ response to coronavirus can be found at archives.gov/coronavirus

Resource:

• https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records-0

If a Veteran or Next of Kin needs to request a DD-214, there are three ways to request this document. You can use an SF(Standard form )180, The eVetRecs system, or write a letter with specific information.

The Military Personnel Records Center(MPRC) will not  release information over the phone. The request must be done by #1)Going to the “Google” website, typing in SF 180, and then clicking on a link. The link must be clicked on to download the form. An SF 180 is a 3 page form, only the 2nd page is required for a request. The form can be filled out on the computer once it is downloaded. In section two, a request can be made for possible photographs prior to 1977, (photos after 1978 were not saved as a military personnel file.), medals, specific documents, (which will be explained shortly), etc.

To request specific documents, in section 2, where it says “Other”, this is where a request can be made for a NGB-22, (which is a Point Statement), a DD-256, (which is an actual certificate of discharge). The NGB -22, DD-256 & DD-214, is needed to purchase a home for a Veteran who served in the National Guard or Reserve. This is also the space you can request medals, specific items from your records for VA claims, such as the exit physical, or specific medical records. Once the document is filled out as completely as possible and sign the document. The form can be faxed if it is just needed for basic requests, such as jobs, personal use, home loans, for example, the fax number will be: 314-801-9195.

If this document is needed for a medical emergency or burial, or the veteran has passed later than a week, make sure a copy of a death certificate, death notice or obituary is fax along with the SF-180 to: 314-801-0764. If a fax machine is not available, the option of mailing the SF-180 can be sent to: Military Personnel Records Center 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138. Homeless Veterans can fill out the form and fax the request to: 314-801-9201. #2) This second way must be used through Internet Explorer. Go to: www.archives.gov, there will be 5 large colored boxes. Click on the 2nd box, “Veterans Service Records”. Once the box is clicked, on the right side of the computer mouse, click on “Request Service Records Online”. Look for the “Start Request Online”. Click on “Make a New Request” or to check your request. Once that is clicked, the eVetRecs database will show. It will ask is the Veteran current of former military? If former, then it will ask whether this request is for the Veteran or Next Of Kin. It will also ask what is the request, if it is for personnel records, then select “Personal Military History. 

It will then ask the branch of service, officer or enlisted, active or reserve & approximately when the Veteran was discharged from the service. The format must be 2 digit month/4 digit year. It will then ask information regarding the Veteran. Make sure the birthdate is shown as 2 digit month,/2 digit day/4 digit year.

The next page will have the “Undeleted Report of Separation” already chosen. Leave it like it, otherwise, the copy of the DD-214, will look like the example shown on the left, which will have important information deleted. In the “Comments Section”, this is where DD-256, NGB-22s, specific documents, etc.At the end, there will be a “Signature Page” . The signature page will have a 2-number which is like a tracking number. 

Send the first page to the following fax number if it is a normal request: 314-801-9195. If it is a medical emergency or burial request, then fax to: 314-801-0764. For any of the requests that you have sent to St Louis, if you need to check the status of the request, call: 314-801-0800. There is no other phone number available. The email address is: [email protected].
#3.) Write a letter for the request. The letter will state whether the Veteran or Next of Kin is making the request.

If it is the Veteran, list their name, birthdate, social security number, place of birth, branch of service, officer or enlisted, active or reserve & approximately when the Veteran was discharged. Then state what is being requested, such as the DD 214, medical records, medals, or other specific personnel records. Then, sign the requester’s name, and then mail or fax the request to the numbers, or mailing address in the following sections.

Link for eVetRecs

https://vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.html

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 a 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 or Mother
• Son or Daughter
• Sister or 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).

The purpose or reason for your request, such as applying for veterans benefits, preparing to retire, or researching your personal military history.

Any deadlines related to your request. We will do our best to meet any priorities. For example, you may be applying for a VA-guaranteed Home Loan and need to provide proof of military service by a specific date.

Any other specific information, documents or records you require from your Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) besides your Report of Separation (DD Form 214).
For additional details on what information may or may not be included, please see theSpecial Notice to Veterans and Family Members regarding requests for copies of military personnel and/or medical files.

“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.

If your burial request involves interment at a Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery, contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117 or visit the National Cemetery Administration website. We work directly with the Veterans Affairs staff to obtain records to verify service for burial benefits. If the veteran is not going to be interred at a National Cemetery, the requester may fax the SF-180 or signature page from eVetRecs (including signature of the next of kin and proof of death) to the Customer Service Team at 314-801-0764.

NOTE:   The 1973 Fire at the National Personnel Records Center damaged or destroyed 16-18 million Army and Air Force records that documented the service history of former military personnel discharged from 1912-1964.

Although the information in many of these primary source records was either badly damaged or completely destroyed, often alternate record sources can be used to reconstruct the service of the veterans impacted by the fire.

Sometimes we are able to reconstruct the service promptly using alternate records that are in our holdings, but other times we must request information from other external agencies for use in records reconstruction. In some instances, therefore, requests that involve reconstruction efforts may take several weeks to a month to complete.

Where to send my request

You can mail or fax your signed and dated request to the National Archives’ National Personnel Record Center (NPRC). Most, but not all records, are stored at the NPRC. Be sure to use the address specified by eVetRecs or the instructions on the SF-180.   Locations of Military Service Records.

NPRC Fax Number: 314-801-9195

NPRC Mailing Address: 
National Personnel Records Center Military Personnel Records
1 Archives Drive St. Louis, MO 63138

NPRC Phone number: 314-801-0800

Please note that requests which are sent by Priority Mail, FedEx, UPS, or other “express” services will only arrive at the NPRC sooner. They will not be processed any faster than standard requests. See the section above on emergency requests and deadlines. 

Cost

Generally there is no charge for basic military personnel and medical record information provided to veterans, next-of-kin and authorized representatives from Federal (non-archival) records. If your request involves a service fee, you will be notified as soon as that determination is made.

However, Archival OMPFs are subject to the NARA fee schedule that authorizes the Agency to collect fees from the public for copies of archival records (44 USC 2116c and 44 USC 2307).

Online, mailed and faxed archival requests require the purchase of the COMPLETE photocopy of the OMPF:

• A routine OMPF of 5 pages or less: $25 flat fee
• A routine OMPF of 6 pages or more: $70 flat fee (most OMPFs fall in this category)
• Persons of Exceptional Prominence (PEP) OMPF: $.80 cents per page ($20 minimum)
  

Response Time

Response time for records requested from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) varies and is dependent upon the complexity of your request, the availability of records and our workload. Please do not send a follow-up request before 90 days have elapsed, as it may cause further delays. While the NPRC works actively to respond to each request in a timely fashion, the Center receives approximately 4,000 – 5,000 requests per day. We are responding to requests for separation documents within 10 days about 92% of the time. However, requests that involve reconstruction efforts due to the 1973 Fire, or older records which require extensive search efforts, may take 6 months or more to complete.

Checking the Status of Your Request

Once you have allowed sufficient time for us to receive and process your request (about 10 days), you may check the status of your request by using the Online Status Update Request form. Please provide the request number if you have one, the name, address and phone number of the requester, and the veteran’s branch of service to aid us to finding your request in our system.

You may also telephone the NPRC Customer Service Line (this is a long-distance call for most customers):   314-801-0800.

Please note: The times below are only vaild if things return to normal which there is no definite time when that might occur.(At least not within the next 6 months.)

Due to Covid, please check the website for their operating hoursNote:   Our peak calling times are weekdays between 10:00 a.m. CST and 3:00 p.m. CST. Staff is available to take your call as early as 7:00 a.m. and as late as 5:00 p.m. CST.

Other potential methods to obtain your records include writing a letter, visiting the NPRC, contacting your state or county, or hiring an independent researcher. See Other Methods to Obtain your Military Service Records for more details.

NOTE: Some companies advertise DD Form 214 research services and will charge a fee for obtaining copies. This is provided as a free service by the National Archives and Records Administration.

Special Note on Contacting by Email: Requests for military personnel records or information from them cannot be accepted by email at this time. The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) and Department of Defense directives require a written request, signed and dated, to access information from military personnel records. Our email address should only be used only to request general information (hours of operations, procedures and forms) or to submit compliments, complaints or concerns.

NOTE: If you send messages using WebTV or a free-email service, you will not receive our response if your mailbox is full. Messages sent to full mailboxes are returned to us as “undeliverable.” You may wish to include your mailing address in your message so that we may respond via the U.S. Postal Service.

Limited information from Official Military Personnel Files is releasable to the general public without the consent of the veteran or the next-of-kin.

You are considered a member of the general public if you are asking about a veteran who is no relation to you, or a veteran who is a relative but you are not the next-of-kin.

Next-of-kin is defined as the un-remarried widow or widower, son or daughter, father or mother, brother or sister of the deceased veteran.

See Access to Military Records by the General Public and Researchers for details on how to request service records.

Resource:

• https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records