Service Records

Service Records

Service Records and Proof of Your Eligibility

To get your benefits, you have to prove to the VA that you are entitled to them. Sadly, they will not seek you out and give you a gigantic benefits package with everything done for you. You have to give the VA office an official copy of your DD Form 214/215 or NGB 22/22A.

These forms are the most important forms you will be given during your military service as they are the key to getting all of your benefits.

DD Forms 214 and 215

The DD forms 214/215 are used as certification for active-duty military and Reservists. The DD form 214 is a Certification of Release or Discharge. It shows the following information:

  • Reserve or active duty time
  • Your military job
  • Any military awards
  • Your education
  • The dates and places where you entered the military
  • The dates and places where you left the military
  • Your military assignments
  • Why you left the military
  • Your discharge characterization


DD Form 215 corrects any errors or additions to DD form 214. There are two versions of the forms. The first is the deleted version. This version can be shown to civilians such as future employers. It will exclude the discharge characterization as well as the discharge reason in case you do not want your future employer to know this.

The second is the undeleted version. This includes all relevant information and is used when you apply for your VA benefits.

When you leave the military, you should be given both a deleted and undeleted version of this form. If this does not happen, or you need another copy, you can request a replacement.

Getting Copies

The National Personnel Records Center will keep a copy of all active-duty and reserve military records.

If you need one you can request any part of your military records so long as you submit a signed copy of SF Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records.

You can download this form at www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf.

Mail the completed form to:
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

You can now complete a records request online at www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html.

You must still print and sign a signature verification form (and mail or fax it) because federal law requires a signature on all records request.

DD Forms 214 and 215

The DD forms 214/215 are used as certification for active-duty military and Reservists. The DD form 214 is a Certification of Release or Discharge. It shows the following information:

  • Reserve or active duty time
  • Your military job
  • Any military awards
  • Your education
  • The dates and places where you entered the military
  • The dates and places where you left the military
  • Your military assignments
  • Why you left the military
  • Your discharge characterization

DD Form 215 corrects any errors or additions to DD form 214. There are two versions of the forms. The first is the deleted version. This version can be shown to civilians such as future employers. It will exclude the discharge characterization as well as the discharge reason in case you do not want your future employer to know this.

The second is the undeleted version. This includes all relevant information and is used when you apply for your VA benefits.

When you leave the military, you should be given both a deleted and undeleted version of this form. If this does not happen, or you need another copy, you can request a replacement.

Getting Copies

The National Personnel Records Center will keep a copy of all active-duty and reserve military records.

If you need one you can request any part of your military records so long as you submit a signed copy of SF Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records.

You can download this form at https://www.archives.gov/files/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf.

Mail the completed form to:
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

You can now complete a records request online at www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html.

You must still print and sign a signature verification form (and mail or fax it) because federal law requires a signature on all records request.

How Long Does It Take?

It is important to bear in mind that the National Personnel Records Center is responsible for processing nearly 20,000 requests per week. As such, turnaround times for records requested from the National Personnel Records Center will vary based on the type of request.

NGB Forms 22 and 22A
While the DD Forms 214/215 are designated for reserve and active duty service the NGB forms 22/22A Report of Separation and Military Service are meant for those who served in the Army and Air National Guard. It is the same counterpart which includes:

  • Information about service time with the National Guard
  • Military job
  • Decorations
  • Reason for discharge
  • Discharge characterization

NGB Form 22A is meant for changes to your NGB Form 22.

The National Guard belongs to individual states, not the federal government, so there is no central repository for records. You have to contact the National Guard Adjutant General’s Office for the particular state in which you performed National Guard service.

For contact information, visit https://www.ngbpdc.ngb.army.mil/.

Military Medical Records

If you have ever been in the military—even for one day—you have medical records. When you enter the military, you must undergo a physical examination the information from which is noted in a detailed medical record.

Your medical records are heavily relied upon by the VA to determine whether or not you are eligible for benefits.

You can request a copy of your military medical record by sending a written request to:

National Personnel Records Center Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Ave. St.
Louis, MO 63132-5100

If you need to file a claim for disability compensation or medical benefits you do not need to request a copy of medical records. The VA will request this automatically.

You can request a copy from the VA regional office having jurisdiction over your claim.

Paperwork

When you are issued your DD Form 214/215 or NGB form 22/22A you need to protect it in the same manner as you would other sensitive documents such as marriage certificates or wills. It is best to keep it in a fireproof lockbox or a safe deposit box.

In certain states, you can record your military separation documents the same as you would a land deed. You can register with your county recorder or town hall which will allow you to retrieve them at a later date quickly for a small fee.

To ensure the documents are not viewed by unauthorized personnel you can ask the registering agency who is legally granted access. If public access is granted, then you may want to reconsider registering the document.

38 Comments
  • Pamela T Wallace
    Posted at 17:10h, 19 April Reply

    I would also like to know the answer to this question. My husband has been out of the NG for 50 years and we want to apply for a VA loan and we desperately need this form. I have tried every source I have and no one can tell me where to get his NGB 23 form. Please, SOMEBODY HELP!!!!

    • Toss John
      Posted at 22:35h, 22 April Reply

      We had the same issues and finally got a copy from the last place my husband was active. National guard is done by state so your best bet would be to call there. Even if it’s been 50 yrs!

    • Leslie Myers
      Posted at 02:55h, 12 May Reply

      Did you ever get your NGB 23 and close with a VA loan? I am having the same problem trying to get my husbands and we are to close the first of June. Needless to say we just found out we needed it last Friday. I am doing everything I can and keep running into road blocks. I hope you can give me some hope.

  • beautiful , Wow,You’re correct, you are crazy,very nice… i really like your blog,Impressive!Thanks for the post ,very interesting , good job and thanks for sharing such a good blog.
    Posted at 19:17h, 30 December Reply

    ,Interesting stuff to read. Keep it up,Great article. Couldn’t be write much better! ,awesom….gives a clear idea,useful information tnx for your post,Nice article thanks for sharing……,nice article,i like ur site.

  • beautiful , Wow,You’re correct, you are crazy,very nice… i really like your blog,Impressive!Thanks for the post ,very interesting , good job and thanks for sharing such a good blog.
    Posted at 17:25h, 29 December Reply

    beautiful , Wow,You’re correct, you are crazy,very nice… i really like your blog,Impressive!Thanks for the post ,very interesting , good job and thanks for sharing such a good blog.

  • Israel Abraham
    Posted at 23:01h, 10 December Reply

    In desperate need of a NGB 23. We close on a house in 3 weeks and we have gotten the run around with no luck!

    • Jerome Geisler
      Posted at 22:35h, 12 February Reply

      What state, and any luck?

  • GeneVA L Birchmire
    Posted at 13:33h, 01 October Reply

    After 6 years of standard governmental BS. discharge upgrade granted. 90 days later the dd214/215 of course never arrived. Refilled out request for new DD214/215. and like all things that go to this office and any other government office once again black holed. Thanks yet again for making an already difficult process even harder and making an already painful/deadly medical situation even worse. keep up the great work.

  • Matthew D. Sanford, Sr
    Posted at 17:09h, 26 September Reply

    Is it possible to get a replacement military picture from 1981-1983 in my dress uniform from SC National Guard?

    Thank you,
    Matthew Sanford, Sr.

  • Robyn
    Posted at 05:40h, 13 September Reply

    Allison,

    You will have gotten a DD214 when you discharged from active duty training (Basic and MOS training) and transitioned into Drilling status with the national guard

  • Allison
    Posted at 22:38h, 17 July Reply

    FOR NGB 22/23 records, go http://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ and make an account. Or you can take the long way and go through the National archives. Guard records are kept by the state you served in and not at the archives. After filling out all of the info needed for a free copy of my DD-214 on the national archives website, I was emailed and redirected to the above address as I was in the guard and not active duty, therefore I dont get a DD’214. Guard gets a NGB 22/23.

  • Dave
    Posted at 13:29h, 04 July Reply

    Been working with Wells Fargo on a home loan. Provided them with dd214, even copy front/back of my retired ANG I’d card. Never had to give this ng 22 or 23 the first time I bought a house with VA loan working through another bank. I’ve filled out the form 180 request and then kicked around lots of 800 numbers and websites. No luck. Any tips on this? It’s getting old.

  • Ryan
    Posted at 22:52h, 05 June Reply

    Please, nobody has answered this question. HOW DO YOU GET YOUR NGB-23????

    • Tobi
      Posted at 19:14h, 05 July Reply

      Your answer is in the web site info listed above.

  • James Newton
    Posted at 18:16h, 26 April Reply

    Are my reserve records included in my personal records or do I need to ask for them separately?

  • Cheryl Lamb
    Posted at 15:47h, 10 March Reply

    I am helping my father apply for benefits and he has 2 copies of his DD 214 discharge form. He has been instructed to send a CERTIFIED copy of the DD 214 for his benefits application. Can I assume that the copies he was given when he was discharged are certified? There is no stamp on them to indicate this.

  • Benny Velazquez
    Posted at 21:44h, 05 March Reply

    How do I obtain a copy of NG 23. I’ve been out of the service for a long time now.

    Thanks
    Benny

  • Danny Metz
    Posted at 15:43h, 26 September Reply

    How do I obtain a blank DD215 to request a change to my military records (DD214)?

    • Edward Adams
      Posted at 17:28h, 05 January Reply

      Hopefully you’ll get a response. Three months is quite a long time to wait for an answer. I have the same question.

  • Carrie
    Posted at 00:22h, 16 September Reply

    In the same boat as others. CANT NOT find or get anyone to find my husbands NGB 23 B. Even though the NGB 22 shows the information needed, they still want the NGB 23 B, which apparently cannot be found. How do we get the entitled VA loan without this paper?

    • LC
      Posted at 17:01h, 03 April Reply

      Did you ever figure this out?

  • Shawna Powers
    Posted at 01:29h, 22 August Reply

    Hi. Was just wondering. My father passed away in March of 2018, I’m looking to get his DD214. Is there a place I can go to physically ask for them to look them up or do I just have to suck it up and wait it out? I already did it online and have to send in the paper. Was just wondering. I wouldn’t mind getting help paying for his memorial but honestly, all I would like is a flag. That’s it. I’ll pay for everything myself. Thanks.

  • Gary
    Posted at 12:36h, 30 June Reply

    I live in Georgia how can I obtain a NG B23 certificate?

  • herilyn perez
    Posted at 08:17h, 30 May Reply

    my father serve during korean war but can’t find his service in 1954. how can find the service record?

  • Joseph Craft
    Posted at 20:42h, 27 April Reply

    My region VBA office requested my records in December of 2017. There’s been no response or feedback. My current appeal is awaiting this information, and has been delayed because of it. Is there no way to expedite or even speak to someone regarding the status of that request?

  • Joseph Craft
    Posted at 17:59h, 26 April Reply

    I currently have a claim with Department of Veterans Affairs. The Rating Official requested my records in December of 2017, and we’re still waiting to hear something back. I understand there are a number of reasons why the request may be delayed, but is it common to wait this long, or longer?

    • Matt Terry
      Posted at 18:55h, 27 April Reply

      Joseph,

      In my experience, it took me three years to go from filing a claim to getting a decision. There are a lot of variables in play, but this is not uncommon.

      -Matt

  • patty Pope
    Posted at 02:37h, 13 April Reply

    Where can I get a NGB 23, we have had no luck and no response from anyone. We are trying to do a VA loan. It has been so incredibly hard.

    • Matt Terry
      Posted at 18:50h, 23 April Reply

      Patty,

      Where are you located?

      -Matt

    • ast0004
      Posted at 15:07h, 16 July Reply

      Hi Patty,
      Any luck with finding your NGB 23? My husband and I are in the same boat, and we are concerned that we will not receive the proper paperwork in the timeframe we need it by.

  • Theresa Penick
    Posted at 16:08h, 23 January Reply

    Hi my son was in the army and he’s trying to get a copy of his DD-214, unfortunately his last name changed right after he enlisted and now he keeps getting denied for a copy of his DD214 because he has a different last name. Can you please tell me how to help him resolve this issue.

    • Matt Terry
      Posted at 19:18h, 23 April Reply

      Theresa,

      Contact the Veterans Affairs office nearest you for the answers you seek.

      -Matt

  • Keith R. Hall
    Posted at 14:03h, 08 July Reply

    Hello my name is Keith R. Hall I am trying to find my grandfathers military records, unfortunately I don’t know his s.s.# but I have one of his dog tags but it doesn’t look like any tags I have or seen. Plus it doesn’t have all his correct info. I know he wasn’t born in 1946, could the USN have given him a type of discharge dog tag? Could someone please help I’m trying to build a shadow box for display with his flag and rank and such.

  • Micheal
    Posted at 13:04h, 26 November Reply

    It’s about time soeomne wrote about this.

  • Joyce [Ludington] Crampton
    Posted at 16:04h, 28 October Reply

    Hello and good day; I’m look for my dad’s records from the USAF. I have very little info on my dad in the service ; My dad serviced at Mitchel Air Force Base during the Koren War. My dad’s name is George Lemual Ludington Born Aug.30 1934 / Pass July 22,2015; I know he serviced in the late 1950’s as a ambulance driver. Thank you Joyce [Ludington] Crampton

Post A Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Log in

Forgot password?

Don't have an account? Register

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy