Most federal, state and local veterans’ benefits require proof of military service through an official discharge document, often called a DD-214 or one of its predecessors. You may request a free copy of your military service record through the National Military Personnel Record Archives (NPRC) at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/.

What do they hold?

  • Official Military Personnel Folders (OMPF) including the Service Treatment Record (includes outpatient, dental and mental health treatment).
  • Clinical (hospital inpatient) records created for military personnel while on active duty.
  • Medical treatment records for military retirees, dependents, and others created at military medical treatment facilities (includes inpatient, outpatient, dental, and mental health treatment).
US Flag with Honorable Discharge Certificate.

What records are there?

  • U.S. Air Force 1947-2004  – Records from 1947-1963 (Hubbard –Z) were impacted by 1973 fire.
  • U.S. Army 1912-2002 – Records from 1912-1959 were impacted by 1973 fire
  • U.S. Coast Guard 1898-2008
  • U.S. Marine Corps 1905-1998
  • U.S. Navy 1886-1994

Records Not at National Personnel Records Center (NPRC):

  • Records of soldiers currently on active duty and records of veterans who have separated but still have reserve status remain with military services.
  • Pay records are held by Defense Finance and Accounting Service.
  • The individual branches and/or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may hold other, more recent archival materials. Visit https://www.archives.gov/st-louis for details.

Customer Service Line:
(314) 801-0800

REQUESTING A DD-214 FROM NPRC DUE TO THE DEATH OF VETERAN

When a DD-214 (Certificate Of Release Or Discharge From Active Duty) is required due to a recent death (veteran, spouse, or dependent child), the veteran or their spouse, sibling, or child may expedite the request by:

  • Must provide proof of death: a letter from the Funeral Home, copy of death certificate, or an obituary
  • Must provide the following information: name, DOB, SSN, service number, branch of service, and the approximate dates of service
  • Provide the date & time of burial
  • Provide a FAX number for response
  • FAX request to (314) 801-0764

REQUEST FOR ALABAMA NATIONAL GUARD RECORDS

If you served in the Alabama National Guard you can request your NG records by visiting https://al.ng.mil/Veterans/ and providing the information requested.  You can request the following documents: NGB 22, NGB 23, DD 214, Retirement Letter, Medical Records, Discharge Order, and DD 1883/2556-5 (Survivor Benefits Plan). Normally it takes three weeks to process your request.

OTHER LINKS

Link to other record depository sites.