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DMVA Will Find Your Lost DD-214 or Guard Record

Pennsylvania's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs locates and obtains lost military records — DD-214, DD-215, NGB-22 and NGB-23 — for veterans and families. Two shortcuts are worth knowing before you write to anyone: DISCHARGES FROM 2010 ONWARD CAN USUALLY BE SELF-SERVED THROUGH THE VA, and PA Guard members who retired or separated WITHIN THE PAST YEAR should go to Guard Retirement Services instead. For everything else, send Standard Form 180 to RA-REQ@pa.gov, fax 717-861-9643, or Records Requests, 40 Fisher Ave, Jonestown PA 17038.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

Pennsylvania's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs locates and obtains lost military records — DD-214, DD-215, NGB-22 and NGB-23 — for veterans and families. Two shortcuts are worth knowing before you write to anyone: DISCHARGES FROM 2010 ONWARD CAN USUALLY BE SELF-SERVED THROUGH THE VA, and PA Guard members who retired or separated WITHIN THE PAST YEAR should go to Guard Retirement Services instead. For everything else, send Standard Form 180 to RA-REQ@pa.gov, fax 717-861-9643, or Records Requests, 40 Fisher Ave, Jonestown PA 17038.

What it's worth: DMVA locates and obtains lost military records

  • Covers DD-214, DD-215, NGB-22 and NGB-23 documents.
  • DISCHARGES FROM 2010 ONWARD can usually be SELF-SERVED through the VA — try that first.
  • PA National Guard members who RETIRED OR SEPARATED WITHIN THE PAST YEAR should use Guard RETIREMENT SERVICES instead.
  • For everything else: Standard Form 180 to RA-REQ@pa.gov, fax 717-861-9643, or Records Requests, 40 Fisher Ave, Jonestown PA 17038.
  • THE FEE IS NOT ESTABLISHED from the sources reviewed.
  • THE RESIDENCY TEST IS NOT ESTABLISHED either.
  • It is a prerequisite rather than a benefit — most other records require a DD-214.

Who is entitled to it

  • You are in one of the groups this reaches.
  • Pennsylvania DMVA.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1If you were discharged in 2010 or later, try the VA's own self-service route first — it is quicker than any request.
  2. 2If you are PA Guard and separated within the past year, go to Guard Retirement Services rather than Records Requests.
  3. 3Otherwise complete Standard Form 180 and send it to RA-REQ@pa.gov, or fax 717-861-9643, or post to Records Requests, 40 Fisher Ave, Jonestown PA 17038.
  4. 4Have what you know: name at service, service number or Social Security number, branch and approximate dates.
  5. 5Ask about any fee when you send it; the published material does not state one.
  6. 6Once you have the document, keep a copy somewhere a family member can find it.
Form
Standard Form 180 to PA DMVA
File with
PA DMVA Records Requests
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.
Worth knowingNever pay a commercial service to retrieve a DD-214. The state does this, the National Archives does this, and a recent discharge can often be downloaded by the veteran directly.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.