Replacing Lost or Destroyed Military Records, Medal, or DD-214 

Your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is an essential document required to access many veteran benefits, including healthcare, disability claims, and burial services.

Your DD-214 is crucial for veteran benefits. If lost, follow these steps:

State or Local Veterans Affairs Offices (Fastest)

1.

Your local commission may have copies on file. Find your state office.

Local VA Medical Center

2.

If you receive healthcare benefits, contact the Release of Information Office at your local VA Medical Center.

Local VA Regional Office

3.

If you have filed a claim for any VA benefits your state’s VA Regional Offfice may be able to print one off for you at your request.

National Archives

4.

Request records or medals if local options fail.

If your request is related to extreme weather, be sure to write “Natural Disaster” in:

IMPORTANT:

Replacing Lost Medals

If your military service medals have been lost for any reason you can request replacements for them through the National Archives.

Replacement Medal Requests:‍ ‍https://www.archives.gov/veterans/replace-medals.html

Checking the status of your National Archive records/medal request

You can check the status of your requests through the National Archives at anytime

Status Check: https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/forms