Fill Standard Form 180 (SF-180) online
Request Pertaining to Military Records
or choose your own copy:
- ✓ Official current version
- ✓ Free download, no account
- ✓ No card, no trial
- ✓ Never uploaded
Standard Form 180 (SF-180) in short
The SF-180 is the paper form for requesting military records, including the DD Form 214 separation document, the Official Military Personnel File, and medical records. Veterans and next of kin of deceased veterans can usually get basic records free. Many people can request online instead through eVetRecs on archives.gov.
| Issued by | National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), National Personnel Records Center |
|---|---|
| Current version | REV. 06/2026 (checked 2026-10-25) |
| Who fills it in | A veteran or current service member, the next of kin of a deceased veteran (unremarried surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother), a legal guardian or authorized representative, or a member of the public for archival records. Records become archival and open to the public 62 years after the service member left the military. |
| Who receives it | The records custodian for the branch and separation date, listed on page 3 of the form. For many discharged veterans this is the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis. |
| Where to send it | Online: eVetRecs at archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records, which requires identity verification through ID.me. By mail to NPRC: National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138. By fax to NPRC: 314-801-9195. Some records are held elsewhere, so check the table on page 3 of the form for your branch, status, and dates. Recent veterans may be able to get a DD Form 214 through milConnect, which the form links to via VA.gov. |
| Deadline | No deadline. NARA says response times vary and asks you not to send a follow-up request before 90 days have passed. Urgent requests for a funeral or surgery can be marked as an emergency. |
| Fee | Generally free for veterans, next of kin, and authorized representatives when the discharge was less than 62 years ago. NARA notes that companies advertising DD 214 services charge for what NARA provides free. Archival records (discharged 62 or more years ago) have fees: $25 for an OMPF of 5 pages or less, $70 for 6 pages or more, and $0.80 per page ($20 minimum) for persons of exceptional prominence. |
| Official links | Official page · Official PDF |
What changed
The current form is REV. 06/2026 and the previous edition is marked unusable. It points recent veterans to milConnect for DD Form 214 copies.
How to fill out Standard Form 180 (SF-180), line by line
| Section I, items 1 to 4 | Name used during service, SSN, date and place of birth Use the name the person served under. Answer every item you can. If you can't get a piece of information, write NA. |
| Section I, item 5 | Service, past and present List all service: active, reserve, and National Guard, with branch, dates entered and released, officer or enlisted, and service number or DoD ID. NARA says listing all service matters for an effective search. |
| Section I, items 6 to 9 | Last duty station, deceased, retired, VA claim Give the last duty station if known. If the person is deceased you must give the date of death. Note whether they retired and any VA claim or file number. |
| Section II, item 1 | Check the item(s) you are requesting Choose DD Form 214 (with the year of separation), the full OMPF, medical records, dental records only, or other. An undeleted DD 214 is sent unless you check the box for a deleted copy. Inpatient records need the facility and year last treated. |
| Section II, item 2 | Purpose Check a purpose such as benefits, employment, VA loan, medical, or genealogy, and explain if needed. It is required unless the request is from the veteran or for releasable information, but it can speed up the reply. |
| Section III, items 1 to 3 | Requester name and relationship Say who you are. Next of kin must send proof of death. Guardians must send the court appointment. Authorized representatives must send the authorization letter or power of attorney. |
| Section III, item 4 | Send information/documents to The full mailing address including apartment or unit number, plus phone and email. If the address isn't yours, put the addressee's name and "c/o" the registered resident. |
| Section III, item 5 | Authorization signature Sign by hand and date it. Without the signature of the veteran, next of kin, or authorized person, only limited information can be released, unless the records are archival. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending the form to the wrong office. The correct custodian depends on branch, status, and separation date in the page 3 table.
- Leaving the signature or date blank. NARA says written requests for non-archival records must be signed and dated within the last year.
- Next of kin not including proof of death, such as a death certificate, obituary, or funeral home letter.
- Sending original documents. NARA does not return documents sent with a request.
- Listing only part of the person's service, which can slow the search.
- Putting more than one person on one form. Use a separate SF-180 for each individual.
- Sending a follow-up request before 90 days, which NARA says can cause more delay.
- Paying a private company for a DD 214 that NARA provides free to veterans and next of kin.
Questions about Standard Form 180 (SF-180)
Can I request my DD 214 online instead of using the SF-180?
Yes. Use eVetRecs on archives.gov. You verify your identity through ID.me. Recent veterans may also get a DD 214 through milConnect.
How much does it cost to get military records?
Basic records are generally free for veterans and next of kin if the discharge was less than 62 years ago. Archival records have a fee, usually $25 or $70 for the full personnel file.
Who counts as next of kin?
An unremarried surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother of the deceased veteran. They must send proof of death.
How long does a request take?
NARA says response times vary with the request, records availability, and workload. It asks you to wait 90 days before following up. You can check status online or call 314-801-0800.
What if I need records urgently for a funeral?
For burial in a VA national cemetery, contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117. Otherwise, mark the emergency in the Purpose section and fax the signed SF-180 with proof of death to 314-801-0764, or choose Emergency Request in eVetRecs.
Can I request records from outside the United States?
Yes. In eVetRecs, leave the ZIP code blank and upload a completed SF-180 that shows your full mailing address.
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Sources
Checked against the official sources on 2026-10-25. PDF Editor Hub is not affiliated with the National Archives and Records Administration or any government agency. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.