Military records are valuable documents that tell the story of a veteran’s service. They help families, historians, and veterans understand when and how someone served.
This guide shows you how to request military records in the United States. It also tells you where to find them. Lastly, it explains how these records relate to genealogy and DNA testing kits.
Why Military Records Matter
People need proof of military service for many reasons. Veterans often need this to apply for benefits.
They use it to get help from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
It also helps confirm their service branch. Family members may request files to honor deceased veterans or to complete family histories.
These documents provide information about a person’s military service. Examples include the DD Form 214 and the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). They include enlistment dates, awards, and sometimes medical information. They are essential for benefits, memorials, and military records for genealogy.
Types of Military Records
Different records exist depending on the time and purpose of service:
- DD Form 214: The main proof of discharge and service.
- Official Military Personnel File (OMPF): A full record of training, awards, and assignments.
- Service Treatment Records: Medical records made during active duty.
- Medal and Award Citations: Documentation of honors received.
- Draft, Pension, and Burial Records: Common for older wars and archival records.
Each document helps paint a picture of a veteran’s career—from enlistment to discharge.
Where Records Are Stored
Most military personnel records are kept at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. Older archival records are in the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
The Department of Defense stores digital copies of recent service records. You can find these on milConnect or the Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval System (DPRIS).
Keep in mind that a 1973 fire at the personnel record center destroyed millions of Army and Air Force files. The Archives now rebuilds lost data using pay vouchers and other sources. This means you can still confirm proof of military service.
How to Request Military Records
There are several ways to request records from the National Personnel Record Center:
- Online: Submit a request through eVetRecs. It’s fast and secure.
- By Mail or Fax: Use Standard Form 180 (Request Pertaining to Military Records) from the National Archives website.
- In Person: Visit NPRC or a local veterans’ office.
Requests for living veterans or next of kin are free. Older archival records (62 years after separation) may require a small fee. You can also submit emergency requests—for example, for a funeral or urgent Department of Veterans Affairs benefit.
Requesting Records for Family Members
You can obtain records for a deceased veteran if you are a spouse, child, parent, or sibling. Include proof of relationship, such as a death certificate or birth record.
If you’re not next of kin, you can still file a request pertains to military records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). However, you’ll receive limited details—usually only name, rank, branch of service, and dates served.
State-Level Help and Veteran Service Officers (VSOs)
Each state has Department of Veterans Affairs offices and Veteran Service Officers (VSOs). These experts can help you fill out Standard Form 180, request DD Form 214 copies, or correct errors. Their services are free and can make the process faster, especially when dealing with government paperwork.
Military Records for Genealogy and DNA Testing
Military files are powerful tools for family research. They reveal ancestors’ names, physical descriptions, and even letters or witness statements.
When used with DNA testing services or kits, these documents can confirm family connections or find unknown relatives. In our 2025 survey, Fold3 by Ancestry was the most-used military record site, chosen by 20 % of users. Respondents said that using testing services together with archival records gave them more complete family trees.
To organize what you find, start a tree and attach service documents on a free genealogy site so everything lives in one place.
Common Issues and Quick Fixes
Sometimes problems arise when requesting records:
- Lost Files: The 1973 fire destroyed many OMPFs, but summaries can often be rebuilt.
- Privacy Limits: Only veterans or next of kin can access recent files.
- Delays: Processing is faster now thanks to digitization, but mail requests still take time.
- Incomplete Records: Older files may be partial—check other archives or VA resources.
- Emergency Requests: Mark your request “urgent” if you need it quickly for burial or medical reasons.
If you need help, contact a VSO or the Department of Veterans Affairs directly.
What’s Free (and What Isn’t): Quick Guide
- DD-214 and non-archival service records (vet or next-of-kin):
Copies are free when requested from the National Archives/NPRC via eVetRecs or SF-180 if the record is not yet archival (i.e., separation < 62 years). - Archival OMPFs (62+ years since separation):
These are open to the public but copying fees apply (e.g., flat fees/ per-page). You may view them onsite for free, but reproductions cost money. - milConnect / DPRIS (your own records):
Eligible service members/veterans can retrieve documents online at no cost through milConnect → DPRIS. - FOIA requests (if you’re not next of kin):
You can request limited service details, but FOIA can involve search/duplication fees depending on requester category and scope. - Help from Veteran Service Officers (VSOs):
Accredited VSO assistance is free (they can also help with records requests and VA paperwork).
Tip: if you’ve tested elsewhere, you can upload raw DNA data to a DNA upload site for extra, non-medical context at no additional cost.
Bottom line:
Free if you’re the veteran or qualifying next-of-kin requesting non-archival records (DD-214, personnel/medical). Fees kick in for archival copies (62+ years), FOIA duplication/search in some cases, and any copy/reproduction services even when onsite viewing is free
Conclusion
Military records are both proof of service and rich family-history sources—and they’re more accessible than they seem. Start with the right channel (eVetRecs online or SF-180 by mail), lean on your state’s Veteran Service Officers if paperwork stalls, and remember that privacy rules and the 1973 NPRC fire may narrow what you receive but rarely end the trail.
When a file is thin, broaden the search to draft cards, pensions, burial registers, and VA materials. If time is short (funeral or urgent benefits), mark the request as emergency. For easy tracking, create a tree and link DD-214s and other files on a free genealogy platform. Finally, pair what you find with your DNA results and existing tree research: together, service records and genetic evidence can confirm branches, connect cousins, and preserve how your family served.
