Can i download my dd214

The primary disadvantage: free services require time. And time is money. If you can afford to wait for your DD, if you don't need your DD soon, then the free services may be for you. Here's the lowdown on free services. While the NPRC reports that they provide "certified copies of separation documents within 10 workdays 75 percent of the time," they also state "cases more complex than simply copying a separation document now typically are worked in about five weeks. There are many reports on the Net that the NPRC is taking many weeks to perform record retrievals, with a backlog of two hundred thousand , requests.

Remember, too, that once you place your free order with the NPRC, you will most likely make your records inaccessible to anyone else for the period it takes for the NPRC to process your request. This situation also occurs when another agency requests your record.

Once your record is removed from the shelves, it cannot be accessed again until it is returned — perhaps weeks later. So, consider the free offer carefully.

To request military service records held by the NPRC, veterans and the next-of-kin of deceased veterans can use their web interface at vetrecs. Although not mandatory, the SF is the recommended method to send a request for military service information. This form captures all the necessary information to locate a record. Provide as much information on the form as possible and send copies of any service documents that you may have. Requests may also be submitted as a letter.

Your letter should parallel the basic information requested in the SF Please see that form for details on the information that you should include within your letter. Follow the instructions for preparing the SF Emergency Requests Funerals, Surgery, etc.

The National Archives will expedite delivery of a DD under certain circumstances, usually in 1 to 5 days. They will work directly with the Archives to obtain the records necessary. Otherwise, download the paper form and state the nature of the emergency in the "Purpose" section. Fax the form to the Archive Customer Service Team at The next morning, around 7am Central time, call the Customer Service Team at That line can be very very busy later in the day.

The request must be signed by the next of kin and be accompanied by a death certificate, published obituary or letter from a funeral home.

If you need your DD immediately but don't qualify for expedited service from the Archives, a company that has provided reliable service to Veterans and their families is the Aardvark Research Group. Records can be ordered online through their website www. They will not be processed any faster than standard requests.

See the section above on emergency requests and deadlines. See Other Methods to Obtain your Military Service Records for more details, or see more information on access to the general public. 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 5 U. 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.

Messages sent to full mailboxes are returned to us as "undeliverable. Postal Service. Allow about 10 days for us to receive and process your request, then you may check on the status. If you know your request number, click the Check Status button below to go to the check status page. Check Status. If you do not know your request number, please provide the following information using the Online Status Update Request form.

CST and p. Find answers to your veterans' records questions on History Hub. Top Skip to main content. Looking for records? How can I check on the status of my request? Please indicate whether you know your request number using the buttons below: Yes, I know my request number No, I don't know my request number You may also telephone the NPRC Customer Service Line this is a long-distance call for most customers : Can I still access files? It depends on the date the service member separated from the military.

Military personnel records are open to the public 62 years after they leave the military. To calculate this, take the current year and subtract But what if it's been less than 62 years? Records of individuals who left service less than 62 years ago are subject to access restrictions and only limited information or copies may be released to the general public within the provisions of the law.

See Federal Records Center Program to access these records.