How Do You Retrieve Military Discharge Papers?
Military discharge papers, officially known as “DD 214” (Defense Department form 214), are one of the most important records of a veteran’s life. They are required for everything from obtaining Veterans’ Administration home loans and health care to joining military associations and clubs and receiving military funeral honors. These forms usually are given to a veteran at the time of discharge, but sometimes this important step is overlooked, or the veteran’s copies are lost or destroyed. Fortunately, with some patience and a bit of paperwork, a lost DD 214 can be retrieved. Fill out the Standard Form 180 to obtain a lost DD 214; this is the most common method used. You can find the form at www.archives.gov. Basic information such as name and Social Security number is required, and all requests must be signed and dated by the veteran or next of kin. A table on the back of the form tells applicants where to send it. The most common address is: National Personnel Records Center, Military
