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).

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.