SF 180 Request Pertaining to Military Records

INSTRUCTION AND INFORMATION SHEET FOR SF 180, REQUEST PERTAINING TO MILITARY RECORDS
1. General Information. The Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records (SF 180) is used to request information from military records.
Certain identifying information is necessary to determine the location of an individual's record of military service. Please try to answer each item on the
SF180. If you do not have and cannot obtain the information for an item, show "NA," meaning the information is "not available". Include as much of the
requested information as you can. Incomplete information may delay response time. To determine where to mail this request see Page 2 of the SF 180 for
record locations and facility addresses. Medical information may be withheld from a patient if determined that the information would be detrimental to the
patient's physical or mental health or would likely cause the patient to harm himself or someone else. Online requests may be submitted to the National
Personnel Records Center (NPRC) by a veteran or deceased veteran’s next-of-kin using eVetRecs at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-servicerecords/.
2. Personnel Records/Military Human Resource Records/Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) and Medical Records/Service Treatment
Records (STR). Personnel records of military members who were discharged, retired, or died in service LESS THAN 62 YEARS AGO and medical
records are in the legal custody of the military service department and are administered in accordance with rules issued by the Department of Defense and the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS, Coast Guard). STRs of persons on active duty are generally kept at the local servicing clinic. After the last day of
active duty, STRs should be requested from the appropriate address on page 2 of the SF 180 (See item 3, Archival Records, if the military member was
discharged, retired or died in service more than 62 years ago).
a. Release of information: Release of information is subject to restrictions imposed by the military services consistent with Department of Defense
regulations, the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act of 1974. The service member (either past or present) or the
member's authorized legal recipient has access to almost any information contained in that member's own record. The authorization signature of the
service member or the member's authorized legal recipient is needed in Section III of the SF 180. Others requesting information from military personnel
records and/or STRs must have the release authorization in Section III of the SF 180 signed by the member or authorized legal recipient. If the
appropriate signature cannot be obtained, only limited types of information can be provided (DoD 6025.18-R C8). If the former member is deceased, the
surviving next-of-kin (NOK) may be entitled to greater access to a deceased veteran's records than a member of the general public (DoD 6025.18-R
C6.2.1.2). The NOK may be any of the following: unmarried/surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother. Requesters MUST
provide proof of death such as the DD Form 1300, Casualty Report, a copy of a death certificate, newspaper article (obituary) or death notice,
coroner’s report of death, funeral director’s signed statement of death, or verdict of coroner’s jury.
b. Fees for records: There is no charge for most services provided to service members or next-of-kin of deceased veterans. A nominal fee is charged for
certain types of service. In most instances, service fees cannot be determined in advance. If your request involves a service fee, you will receive an
invoice with your records.
3. Archival Records. Personnel records of military members who were discharged, retired, or died in service 62 OR MORE YEARS AGO have been
transferred to the legal custody of NARA and are referred to as "archival records".
a. Release of Information: Archival records are open to the public. The Privacy Act of 1974 does not apply to archival records, therefore, written
authorization from the veteran or next-of-kin is not required. In order to protect the privacy of the veteran, his/her family, and third parties named in the
records, the personal privacy exemption of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552 (b)(6)) may still apply and may preclude the release of some
information.
b. Fees for Archival Records: Access to archival records are granted by offering copies of the records for a fee (44 U.S.C. 2116 (c)). If a fee applies to
the copies of documents in the requested record, you will receive an invoice. Copies will be sent after payment is made. For more information see
https://www.archives.gov/st-louis/archival-programs/military-personnel-archival/ompf-archival-requests.html.
4. Where reply may be sent. The reply may be sent to the service member or any other address designated by the service member or other authorized
requester. If the designated address is NOT registered to the addressee by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), provide BOTH the addressee’s name AND “in
care of” (c/o) the name of the person to whom the address is registered on the NAME line in Section III, item 3, on page 1 of the SF 180. The COMPLETE
address must be provided, INCLUDING any apartment/suite/unit/lot/space/etc. number. NOTE: If requester desires to send his/her record to a third party,
he/she must fill out a DD Form 2870 authorizing the releasing agency to release the record and the timeframe of the authorization. The form may be
downloaded using most commercial web search tools by entering “DD Form 2870” as a search term.
5. Definitions and abbreviations. DISCHARGED -- the individual has no current military status; SERVICE TREATMENT RECORD (STR) -- The
chronology of medical, mental health, and dental care received by service members during the course of their military career (does not include records of
treatment while hospitalized); TDRL – Temporary Disability Retired List.
6. Service completed before World War I. National Archives Trust Fund (NATF) forms must be used to request these records. Obtain the forms by email from [email protected] or write to the Code 6 address on page 2 of the SF 180.
PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
The following information is provided in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(3) and applies to this form. Authority for collection of the information is 44
U.S.C. 2907, 3101, and 3103, and Public Law 104-134 (April 26, 1996), as amended in title 31, section 7701. Disclosure of the information is voluntary. If
the requested information is not provided, it may delay servicing your inquiry because the facility servicing the service member's record may not have all of
the information needed to locate it. The purpose of the information on this form is to assist the facility servicing the records (see the address list) in locating
the correct military service record(s) or information to answer your inquiry. This form is then retained as a record of disclosure. The form may also be
disclosed to Department of Defense components, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, U.S. Coast Guard), or the
National Archives and Records Administration when the original custodian of the military health and personnel records transfers all or part of those records
to that agency. If the service member was a member of the National Guard, the form may also be disclosed to the Adjutant General of the appropriate state,
District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, where he or she served.
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT
Public burden reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be five minutes per request, including time for reviewing instructions and
completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to National Archives and Records Administration (MP), 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.
DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THE APPROPRIATE ADDRESS LISTED ON PAGE 2
OF THE SF 180.

Standard Form 180 (Rev.09/2021) (Page 1)

Authorized for local reproduction
Previous edition unusable

Prescribed by NARA (36 CFR 1233.18(d))

OMB No. 3095-0029 Expires 04/30/2024

REQUEST PERTAINING TO MILITARY RECORDS
Requests can be submitted online using eVetRecs at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/
To ensure the best possible service, please thoroughly review the accompanying instructions before filling out this form. PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY OR TYPE BELOW.

SECTION I - INFORMATION NEEDED TO LOCATE RECORDS (Furnish as much information as possible.)

1. NAME USED DURING SERVICE (last, first, full middle)

2. SOCIAL SECURITY #

3. DATE OF BIRTH

5. SERVICE, PAST AND PRESENT (For an effective records search, it is important that ALL service be shown below.)
DATE
DATE
BRANCH OF SERVICE
ENTERED
RELEASED OFFICER ENLISTED

4. PLACE OF BIRTH

SERVICE NUMBER
(If unknown, write “unknown”)

a. ACTIVE
b. RESERVE
c. NATIONAL
GUARD
6. PLEASE LIST LAST FOUR DUTY STATIONS, IF KNOWN: 1.
2.
3.
4.
7. IS THIS PERSON DECEASED?
NO
YES - MUST provide Date of Death if veteran is deceased:
8. DID THIS PERSON RETIRE FROM MILITARY SERVICE?
NO
YES

SECTION II – INFORMATION AND/OR DOCUMENTS REQUESTED

1. CHECK THE ITEM(S) YOU ARE REQUESTING:
DD Form 214 or equivalent: Year(s) in which form(s) issued to veteran (Date of Separation):
This form contains information used to verify military service. An UNDELETED DD Form 214 is ordinarily required to determine eligibility for benefits. If you
request a DELETED copy, the following items will be blacked out: authority for separation, reason for separation, reenlistment eligibility code, separation (SPD/SPN)
code, and, for separations after June 30, 1979, character of separation and dates of time lost. Please note – recent veterans may be able to request a DD Form 214
through milConnect by visiting: https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/
An UNDELETED copy will be sent UNLESS YOU SPECIFY A DELETED COPY by checking this box:
I want a DELETED copy.
Official Military Personnel File (OMPF): The OMPF may include duty stations and assignments, training and qualifications, awards and decorations received,
disciplinary actions, administrative remarks, enlistment and/or discharge information (including DD Form 214, Report of Separation, or equivalent), and other personnel
actions. Detailed information about the veteran's participation in battles and their military engagements is NOT contained in the record.
Medical Records: Includes health (outpatient), extended ambulatory, and dental records. If inpatient/hospitalization records are requested, please specify below.
(year). (NOTE: Fields are required)
(facility), last treated in
I request inpatient/hospitalization records from
If available, you may receive copies of inpatient narrative summaries, operative reports, discharge summaries, etc. contained in the record.
Dental Records: Please check this box if ONLY dental records are needed from the medical record.
Other (Please Specify):

2. PURPOSE: (Providing information about the purpose of the request is voluntary; however, it may help to provide the best possible response and may result in a faster
reply. Information provided will in no way be used to make a decision to deny the request.)
Benefits (explain)

Employment

VA Loan Programs

Medical

Genealogy

Correction

Personal

Other (explain)

Explain here:

SECTION III - RETURN ADDRESS AND SIGNATURE
1. REQUESTER NAME:
3.

2. RELATIONSHIP TO VETERAN:

I am the MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER OR VETERAN identified in
Section 1, above.

I am the DECEASED VETERAN’S NEXT-OF-KIN (MUST submit
Proof of Death. See item 2a on instruction sheet.)
4. SEND INFORMATION/DOCUMENTS TO:
(Please print or type. See item 4 on accompanying instructions.)
Name
Apt. #

Street Address
City
Daytime Phone

Email Address

State
Fax Number

ZIP Code

I am the VETERAN’S LEGAL GUARDIAN (MUST submit copy of Court
Appointment) or AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE (MUST submit copy of
Authorization Letter or Power of Attorney)
OTHER (Specify):
5. AUTHORIZATION SIGNATURE: I declare (or certify, verify, or state)
under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the
information in this Section 3 is true and correct and that I authorize the release
of the requested information. (See items 2a or 3a on the accompanying instructions
sheet. Without the Authorization Signature of the veteran, next-of-kin of deceased
veteran, veteran’s legal guardian, authorized government agent, or other authorized
representative, only limited information can be released unless the request is
archival. No signature is required if the request is for archival records.)

Signature Required – Do not print

Date

* This form is available at https://www.archives.gov/veterans-military-service-records/standardform-180.pdf on the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) web site. *

The various categories of military service records are described in the chart below. For each category there is a code number which indicates the address at the bottom of the
page to which this request should be sent. Please refer to the Instruction and Information Sheet accompanying this form as needed.

BRANCH

AIR
FORCE

COAST

GUARD

MARINE

CORPS

ARMY

NAVY

PHS

Personnel
Record

CURRENT STATUS OF SERVICE MEMBER

Medical or Service
Treatment Record

Discharged, deceased, or retired before 5/1/1994

14

14

Discharged, deceased, or retired 5/1/1994 – 9/30/2004

14

11

Discharged, deceased, or retired 10/1/2004 – 12/31/2013

1

11

Discharged, deceased, or retired on or after 1/1/2014
Active (including National Guard on active duty in the Air Force), TDRL, or general officers retired with pay

1

13

1

Reserve, IRR, Retired Reserve in non-pay status, current National Guard officers not on active duty in the Air Force, or National Guard
released from active duty in the Air Force

2

Current National Guard enlisted not on active duty in the Air Force
Discharged, deceased, or retired before 1/1/1898

2
6

13

Discharged, deceased, or retired 1/1/1898 – 3/31/1998

14

14

Discharged, deceased, or retired 4/1/1998 – 9/30/2006

14

11

Discharged, deceased, or retired 10/1/2006 – 9/30/2013

3

11

Discharged, deceased, or retired on or after 10/1/2013

3

14

Active, Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve or TDRL

3

Discharged, deceased, or retired before 1/1/1895
Discharged, deceased, or retired 1/1/1905 – 4/30/1994

6
14

Discharged, deceased, or retired 5/1/1994 – 12/31/1998

14

11

Discharged, deceased, or retired 1/1/1999 - 12/31/2013

4

11

Discharged, deceased, or retired on or after 1/1/2014
Individual Ready Reserve

4
5

8

Active, Selected Marine Corps Reserve, TDRL
Discharged, deceased, or retired before 11/1/1912 (enlisted) or before 7/1/1917 (officer)

4
6

Discharged, deceased, or retired 11/1/1912 – 10/15/1992 (enlisted) or 7/1/1917 – 10/15/1992 (officer)

14

Discharged, deceased, or retired 10/16/1992 – 9/30/2002
Discharged, deceased, or retired (including TDRL) 10/1/2002 – 12/31/2013

14
7

11
11

Discharged, deceased, or retired (including TDRL) on or after 1/1/2014

7

9

Current Soldier (Active, Reserve (including Individual Ready Reserve) or National Guard)

7

14

Discharged, deceased, or retired before 1/1/1886 (enlisted) or before 1/1/1903 (officer)

6

Discharged, deceased, or retired 1/1/1886 – 1/30/1994 (enlisted) or 1/1/1903 – 1/30/1994 (officer)

14

14

Discharged, deceased, or retired 1/31/1994 – 12/31/1994
Discharged, deceased, or retired 1/1/1995 – 12/31/2013

14
10

11
11

Discharged, deceased, or retired on or after 1/1/2014

10

8

Active, Reserve, or TDRL

10

Public Health Service - Commissioned Corps officers only

12

ADDRESS LIST OF CUSTODIANS and SELF-SERVICE WEBSITES (BY CODE NUMBERS SHOWN ABOVE) – Where to write/send this form

1

2
3

4

5

Air Force Personnel Center
AFPC/DP2SSM
550 C Street West
JBSA-Randolph TX 78150-4721
Fax Number: 210-565-3124
Email: [email protected]
Air Reserve Personnel Center
Total Force Service Center: 1-800-525-0102
https://mypers.af.mil/
Commander, Personnel Service Center
(BOPS-C-MR) MS7200
US Coast Guard
2703 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
Washington, DC 20593-7200
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ompf
Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps
Manpower Management Records & Performance
(MMRP-10)
2008 Elliot Road
Quantico, VA 22134-5030
[email protected]
Marine Corps Forces Reserve
2000 Opelousas Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70114

6

National Archives & Records Administration
Research Services (RDT1R)

11

700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20408-0001

7

US Army Human Resources Command’s web page:
https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/1113

12

or 1-888-ARMYHRC (1-888-276-9472)

8

9

Navy Medicine Records Activity (NMRA)
BUMED Detachment St. Louis
4300 Goodfellow Boulevard, Building 103
St. Louis, MO 63120
Fax number: 314-260-8128
AMEDD Army Record Processing Center
3370 Nacogdoches Road, Suite 116
San Antonio, TX 78217
Fax Number: 210-201-8310

13

14

Department of Veterans Affairs
ATTN: Release of Information
Claims Intake Center
P.O. Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
Fax Number: 844-531-7818
https://www.va.gov
Division of Commissioned Corps Officer Support
ATTN: Records Officer
1101 Wooton Parkway, Plaza Level, Suite 100
Rockville, MD 20852
AF STR Processing Center
ATTN: Release of Information
3370 Nacogdoches Road, Suite 116
San Antonio, TX 78217
National Personnel Records Center
(Military Personnel Records)
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138-1002
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

10

Navy Personnel Command (PERS-313)
5720 Integrity Drive
Millington, TN 38055-3130