Military Record Requests
(SF-180)
If you are a veteran or next-of-kin of a deceased veteran, you may now use vetrecs.archives.gov (or still use the SF-180) to order copies of military records.
All others must use the SF-180 or request in a letter (see below).
Ways to Request Military Records
Order copies of
WWI Draft Registration Cards
online.
- Veterans or next-of-kin of deceased veterans can use the
online order form at
vetrecs.archives.gov (or use the SF-180).
All others: - Obtain and Fill out Standard Form 180 (SF-180)
- Or Write a Letter to Request Records
1. How to Obtain Standard Form 180 (SF-180),
Request
Pertaining to Military Records
There are several ways to obtain an SF-180. You can:
- Download and print a copy of the SF-180 in PDF format.
- You need access to a printer and the Adobe Acrobat Reader software (see link below). The form is a total of 3 pages.
- The SF-180 is formatted for letter size paper (8.5" x 11"). If your printer can not accommodate this, select "shrink to fit" when the Adobe Acrobat Reader "Print" dialog box appears.
- This is also a fillable version of the SF-180. It will allow you to type the needed
information into the form using your keyboard. You will still need to print,
sign and mail the form. Otherwise, it works the same as stated above.
Click here to download the latest version of the
FREE Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader. - To return the form to us, review the tables on page 2 of SF 180 for the correct location of the desired
record (based on branch of service, dates of separation, and type of record) and send the completed form
there.
Contact Us to order the form through the mail.
Write to The National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63132
You may also be able to obtain the SF-180:From the Department of Defense
From Federal Information Centers
From veterans service organizations
The SF 180 may be photocopied as needed. Please submit a separate SF 180 for each individual whose records are being requested.
2. Write a Letter to Request Records
If you are not able to obtain SF-180, you may still submit a request for military records. Requests must contain enough information to identify the record among the more than 70 million on file at NPRC (MPR). Certain basic information is needed to locate military service records. This information includes:
- The veteran's complete name used while in service
- Service number or social security number
- Branch of service
- Dates of service
- Date and place of birth may also be helpful, especially if the service number is not known
-
If the request pertains to a record that may have been
involved in the 1973
fire, also include:
- Place of discharge
- Last unit of assignment
- Place of entry into the service, if known.
Please submit a separate request (either SF 180 or letter) for each individual whose records are being requested.
How to Submit Requests:
Today we must continue to receive requests, dated and with a handwritten signature, either by mail or by fax only. This is because Federal law [5 USC 552a(b)] requires that all requests for records and information be submitted in writing. Each request must be signed and dated.
You may submit more than one request per envelope or fax, but please submit a separate request (either SF 180 or letter) for each individual whose records are being requested.
- Send by Mail
Our mailing address is:National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 - Send by Fax
Our fax number for requesting military records is 314-801-9195.
The Center will respond in writing by U.S. Mail.
Order Processing Time
Response times for records requested from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) vary greatly depending on the nature of the request. For example, the NPRC Military Personnel Records facility currently has a pending workload of 58,000 requests and is receiving approximately 4,300 requests per day. We are responding to requests for replacement copies of separation documents only within 10 days about 90% of the time. For requests involving other types of information or documents from records that are on file, we currently are working on those received in October 2010 and will respond, on average, in 2-3 weeks. Additionally, requests that involve reconstruction efforts due to the 1973 fire or older records which require extensive search efforts may take six months or more to complete. Overall we are responding to 70% of all requests received within 10 days.
"NARA ensures, for the Citizen and the Public Servant, for the President and the Congress and the Courts, ready access to essential evidence."
Top of Page
PDF files require the free Adobe Reader.
More information on Adobe Acrobat PDF files is available on our Accessibility page.
