SF-180

Request Pertaining to Military Records

Records & DischargeOfficial VA form on VA.gov

Who fills it

veteran

Journey phase

Before You File

Estimated time

20-30 minutes. Allow extra time to look up your service number, unit, dates.

When to file

Whenever you don't already have the records you need. Allow 3-12 months for NPRC turnaround on paper requests; eVetRecs online filings typically faster.

You need a copy of your DD-214 or military medical/personnel records and don't already have them.

Gather before you start

—Your full legal name (and any name used during service if different)

—Date of birth, place of birth

—SSN and military service number (if pre-1973)

—Branch of service

—Approximate dates of service

—Last duty station and unit

—Whether you want DD-214, medical records, personnel records, awards, or all of the above

Attach with the form

—None required for veteran. Next of kin requests for deceased veterans need death certificate and proof of relationship.

Section I - Identification of Veteran

1 field

Blocks 1-3Veteran name, SSN, DOB, place of birthPII

Use the name you served under. NPRC indexes by service-era name. If you legally changed names after service, list both.

Example

Service-era name + current name if different

Common mistakes

Using current legal name when records are filed under maiden/birth name - NPRC search fails.
Omitting place of birth - sometimes required for older record indexing.

Section II - Service Information

1 field

Blocks 4-7Branch, dates, service number, last duty station

Branch (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard). Approximate dates from-to. Service number if pre-1969 (Army), pre-1972 (Navy/Marine), pre-1969 (Air Force), pre-1974 (CG). Last duty station and unit.

Example

e.g., U.S. Army; 03/2005-09/2012; SSN; FORSCOM, Fort Liberty, A Co 1/504 PIR

Common mistakes

Forgetting service number for older veterans - NPRC indexes by SN for pre-1970 records.
Vague dates ("late 60s") - give year ranges even if approximate.
Listing first duty station instead of last - NPRC files records under last unit.

Section III - Records Requested

1 field

Block 8Type of records requested

Check ALL that apply: DD-214 (separation document), Medical Records (STRs), Personnel Records (OMPF), Awards and Decorations, Unit History. The more you check, the more thorough your records will be when applying for VA benefits.

Example

Check all that apply

Common mistakes

Checking only DD-214 when you need STRs for a VA claim - separate request later wastes 6+ months.
Forgetting to check "Awards/Decorations" - these are presumptive evidence under 38 USC 1154(b) for combat exposure.

Section IV - Purpose

1 field

Block 9Purpose of request

Why you need the records. For VA claims, write "VA disability claim" or "VA benefits application." This sometimes triggers expedited processing for time-sensitive claims.

Example

e.g., VA disability claim - need DD-214 and STRs to support pending application

Common mistakes

Generic "personal use" when you actually need it for a VA claim - VA-claim purpose can expedite NPRC.

Section V - Requester Signature

1 field

Blocks 10-13Requester name, relationship, signature, datePII

Sign and date. If you are not the veteran, identify your relationship (spouse, parent, child) and attach proof (marriage certificate, birth certificate, death certificate of veteran).

Example

(signature/date when filing)

Common mistakes

Forgetting to sign - NPRC returns the request.
Next of kin not attaching proof of relationship - request stalls until proof received.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 3.159 - Duty to notify, duty to assist, evidence development.

38 USC 5103A - VA duty to obtain federal records, develop nexus exams.

SF-180

Request Pertaining to Military Records

Records & DischargeOfficial VA form on VA.gov

Who fills it

veteran

Journey phase

Before You File

Estimated time

20-30 minutes. Allow extra time to look up your service number, unit, dates.

When to file

Whenever you don't already have the records you need. Allow 3-12 months for NPRC turnaround on paper requests; eVetRecs online filings typically faster.

You need a copy of your DD-214 or military medical/personnel records and don't already have them.

Gather before you start

—Your full legal name (and any name used during service if different)

—Date of birth, place of birth

—SSN and military service number (if pre-1973)

—Branch of service

—Approximate dates of service

—Last duty station and unit

—Whether you want DD-214, medical records, personnel records, awards, or all of the above

Attach with the form

—None required for veteran. Next of kin requests for deceased veterans need death certificate and proof of relationship.

Section I - Identification of Veteran

1 field

Blocks 1-3Veteran name, SSN, DOB, place of birthPII

Use the name you served under. NPRC indexes by service-era name. If you legally changed names after service, list both.

Example

Service-era name + current name if different

Common mistakes

Using current legal name when records are filed under maiden/birth name - NPRC search fails.
Omitting place of birth - sometimes required for older record indexing.

Section II - Service Information

1 field

Blocks 4-7Branch, dates, service number, last duty station

Example

e.g., U.S. Army; 03/2005-09/2012; SSN; FORSCOM, Fort Liberty, A Co 1/504 PIR

Common mistakes

Forgetting service number for older veterans - NPRC indexes by SN for pre-1970 records.
Vague dates ("late 60s") - give year ranges even if approximate.
Listing first duty station instead of last - NPRC files records under last unit.

Section III - Records Requested

1 field

Block 8Type of records requested

Example

Check all that apply

Common mistakes

Checking only DD-214 when you need STRs for a VA claim - separate request later wastes 6+ months.
Forgetting to check "Awards/Decorations" - these are presumptive evidence under 38 USC 1154(b) for combat exposure.

Section IV - Purpose

1 field

Block 9Purpose of request

Why you need the records. For VA claims, write "VA disability claim" or "VA benefits application." This sometimes triggers expedited processing for time-sensitive claims.

Example

e.g., VA disability claim - need DD-214 and STRs to support pending application

Common mistakes

Generic "personal use" when you actually need it for a VA claim - VA-claim purpose can expedite NPRC.

Section V - Requester Signature

1 field

Blocks 10-13Requester name, relationship, signature, datePII

Sign and date. If you are not the veteran, identify your relationship (spouse, parent, child) and attach proof (marriage certificate, birth certificate, death certificate of veteran).

Example

(signature/date when filing)

Common mistakes

Forgetting to sign - NPRC returns the request.
Next of kin not attaching proof of relationship - request stalls until proof received.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 3.159 - Duty to notify, duty to assist, evidence development.

38 USC 5103A - VA duty to obtain federal records, develop nexus exams.

SF-180

Request Pertaining to Military Records

Records & DischargeOfficial VA form on VA.gov

Who fills it

veteran

Journey phase

Before You File

Estimated time

20-30 minutes. Allow extra time to look up your service number, unit, dates.

When to file

Whenever you don't already have the records you need. Allow 3-12 months for NPRC turnaround on paper requests; eVetRecs online filings typically faster.

You need a copy of your DD-214 or military medical/personnel records and don't already have them.

Gather before you start

—Your full legal name (and any name used during service if different)

—Date of birth, place of birth

—SSN and military service number (if pre-1973)

—Branch of service

—Approximate dates of service

—Last duty station and unit

—Whether you want DD-214, medical records, personnel records, awards, or all of the above

Attach with the form

—None required for veteran. Next of kin requests for deceased veterans need death certificate and proof of relationship.

Section I - Identification of Veteran

1 field

Blocks 1-3Veteran name, SSN, DOB, place of birthPII

Use the name you served under. NPRC indexes by service-era name. If you legally changed names after service, list both.

Example

Service-era name + current name if different

Common mistakes

Using current legal name when records are filed under maiden/birth name - NPRC search fails.
Omitting place of birth - sometimes required for older record indexing.

Section II - Service Information

1 field

Blocks 4-7Branch, dates, service number, last duty station

Example

e.g., U.S. Army; 03/2005-09/2012; SSN; FORSCOM, Fort Liberty, A Co 1/504 PIR

Common mistakes

Forgetting service number for older veterans - NPRC indexes by SN for pre-1970 records.
Vague dates ("late 60s") - give year ranges even if approximate.
Listing first duty station instead of last - NPRC files records under last unit.

Section III - Records Requested

1 field

Block 8Type of records requested

Example

Check all that apply

Common mistakes

Checking only DD-214 when you need STRs for a VA claim - separate request later wastes 6+ months.
Forgetting to check "Awards/Decorations" - these are presumptive evidence under 38 USC 1154(b) for combat exposure.

Section IV - Purpose

1 field

Block 9Purpose of request

Why you need the records. For VA claims, write "VA disability claim" or "VA benefits application." This sometimes triggers expedited processing for time-sensitive claims.

Example

e.g., VA disability claim - need DD-214 and STRs to support pending application

Common mistakes

Generic "personal use" when you actually need it for a VA claim - VA-claim purpose can expedite NPRC.

Section V - Requester Signature

1 field

Blocks 10-13Requester name, relationship, signature, datePII

Sign and date. If you are not the veteran, identify your relationship (spouse, parent, child) and attach proof (marriage certificate, birth certificate, death certificate of veteran).

Example

(signature/date when filing)

Common mistakes

Forgetting to sign - NPRC returns the request.
Next of kin not attaching proof of relationship - request stalls until proof received.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 3.159 - Duty to notify, duty to assist, evidence development.

38 USC 5103A - VA duty to obtain federal records, develop nexus exams.

SF-180

Request Pertaining to Military Records

Records & DischargeOfficial VA form on VA.gov

Who fills it

veteran

Journey phase

Before You File

Estimated time

20-30 minutes. Allow extra time to look up your service number, unit, dates.

When to file

Whenever you don't already have the records you need. Allow 3-12 months for NPRC turnaround on paper requests; eVetRecs online filings typically faster.

You need a copy of your DD-214 or military medical/personnel records and don't already have them.

Gather before you start

—Your full legal name (and any name used during service if different)

—Date of birth, place of birth

—SSN and military service number (if pre-1973)

—Branch of service

—Approximate dates of service

—Last duty station and unit

—Whether you want DD-214, medical records, personnel records, awards, or all of the above

Attach with the form

—None required for veteran. Next of kin requests for deceased veterans need death certificate and proof of relationship.

Section I - Identification of Veteran

1 field

Blocks 1-3Veteran name, SSN, DOB, place of birthPII

Use the name you served under. NPRC indexes by service-era name. If you legally changed names after service, list both.

Example

Service-era name + current name if different

Common mistakes

Using current legal name when records are filed under maiden/birth name - NPRC search fails.
Omitting place of birth - sometimes required for older record indexing.

Section II - Service Information

1 field

Blocks 4-7Branch, dates, service number, last duty station

Example

e.g., U.S. Army; 03/2005-09/2012; SSN; FORSCOM, Fort Liberty, A Co 1/504 PIR

Common mistakes

Forgetting service number for older veterans - NPRC indexes by SN for pre-1970 records.
Vague dates ("late 60s") - give year ranges even if approximate.
Listing first duty station instead of last - NPRC files records under last unit.

Section III - Records Requested

1 field

Block 8Type of records requested

Example

Check all that apply

Common mistakes

Checking only DD-214 when you need STRs for a VA claim - separate request later wastes 6+ months.
Forgetting to check "Awards/Decorations" - these are presumptive evidence under 38 USC 1154(b) for combat exposure.

Section IV - Purpose

1 field

Block 9Purpose of request

Why you need the records. For VA claims, write "VA disability claim" or "VA benefits application." This sometimes triggers expedited processing for time-sensitive claims.

Example

e.g., VA disability claim - need DD-214 and STRs to support pending application

Common mistakes

Generic "personal use" when you actually need it for a VA claim - VA-claim purpose can expedite NPRC.

Section V - Requester Signature

1 field

Blocks 10-13Requester name, relationship, signature, datePII

Sign and date. If you are not the veteran, identify your relationship (spouse, parent, child) and attach proof (marriage certificate, birth certificate, death certificate of veteran).

Example

(signature/date when filing)

Common mistakes

Forgetting to sign - NPRC returns the request.
Next of kin not attaching proof of relationship - request stalls until proof received.

Statutory & regulatory authority

38 CFR 3.159 - Duty to notify, duty to assist, evidence development.

38 USC 5103A - VA duty to obtain federal records, develop nexus exams.