The DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is the most important document a veteran possesses. It verifies military service for benefits, employment, home loans, education, and burial honors.
10 steps across 1 sections
1. Steps Process
- Determine the best request method based on discharge date:
- Air Force discharged after October 1, 2004: use milConnect
- Army discharged after October 1, 2002: use milConnect
- Marines discharged after January 1, 1999: use milConnect
- Navy discharged after January 1, 1995: use milConnect
- All others: use the National Archives (NPRC)
- Online request through National Archives (eVetRecs) — Go to archives.gov/veterans, select "Request Military Records," and use the eVetRecs system; sign in with an identity-verified ID.me account
- Mail request using SF-180 — Download Standard Form 180 (Request Pertaining to Military Records) from archives.gov, complete it, and mail to the National Personnel Records Center
- Request through milConnect (recent discharges) — Log into milConnect.dmdc.osd.mil, navigate to Personnel Records, and request your DD-214 electronically
- Provide required information — Full name (including any name used during service), Social Security number, date of birth, branch of service, dates of service, and type of discharge
Common Mistakes
- Paying a third-party service
- Not safeguarding the original
- Requesting the wrong type
- Not recording it with the county
- Incorrect information on the request
Pro Tips
- Record your DD-214 with your county immediately after discharge
- Request multiple certified copies
- Next-of-kin can request for deceased veterans
- Check your DD-214 for errors at discharge
- eVetRecs is faster than mail