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National Archives and Records Administration

Fill out SF 180 online

Request Pertaining to Military Records

SF 180 is the standard form for asking for copies of military service records, such as the DD Form 214, the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) and service medical records. Veterans, next of kin of deceased veterans, guardians and authorized representatives use it, and anyone can use it for archival records. The last page of the PDF shows which office holds each kind of record.

Fill out SF 180Blank form from the National Archives

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Edition
Rev. 06/2026
Pages
3
Fillable fields
72
Checked against the National Archives
November 8, 2026

GuruPDF is not affiliated with the National Archives and Records Administration. This page explains the form in plain words; it is not legal or tax advice. Always check the official instructions before you file.

Who uses SF 180

  • Veterans and current or former service members asking for their own records
  • Next of kin of a deceased veteran: an un-remarried surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister or brother
  • A veteran's legal guardian or authorized representative
  • Researchers and family historians asking for archival records of members who left service 62 or more years ago

Before you start

  • The veteran's name as used during service, Social Security number, and date and place of birth
  • The branch, component and dates of every period of service, plus the service number and DoD ID/EDIPI number if known
  • If the veteran has died and you are next of kin: the date of death and a copy of proof of death, such as a death certificate or obituary
  • If you are a guardian or representative: a copy of the court appointment, authorization letter or power of attorney
  • The VA claim or file number, if the veteran filed a VA claim
  • For hospital (inpatient) records: the name of the facility and the year of last treatment

How to fill out SF 180

  1. Read the instruction sheet (page 1)

    It explains who may get which records. Personnel records of 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 services, and access to them is restricted by privacy law. Personnel records from 62 or more years ago are archival records in NARA's custody and are open to the public.

  2. Section I, items 1-4: identify the veteran

    Enter the name used during service (last, first, full middle), Social Security number, date of birth and place of birth. Answer every item you can; if you cannot find the information, write "NA" (not available).

  3. Section I, item 5: service, past and present

    List all service, on the Active, Reserve and National Guard rows as they apply. For each, give the branch, dates entered and released, officer or enlisted, the service number and the DoD ID/EDIPI number. Write "unknown" where you do not know a number.

  4. Section I, items 6-9: last duty station, death, retirement, VA claim

    Item 6 lists the last duty station(s). Item 7 asks if the person is deceased; if yes, the date of death must be given. Item 8 asks if the person retired from military service, and item 9 if a VA claim was filed, with the VA claim/file number if known.

  5. Section II, item 1: the records you want

    Check each item you are requesting: DD Form 214 or equivalent (give the year(s) of separation), the OMPF, medical records, dental records only, or Other. An undeleted DD Form 214 is sent unless you check the box for a deleted copy. For inpatient or hospital records, the facility and the year last treated are required.

  6. Section II, item 2: purpose

    Check the purpose (Benefits, Employment, VA Loan Programs, Medical, Genealogy, Correction, Personal or Other) and explain it below. It is required unless the request is from the veteran, a government agency under routine use, or for information releasable under FOIA. NARA says that for an urgent request, such as an upcoming surgery or funeral, you may describe the emergency in this section.

  7. Section III: requester, return address and signature

    Items 1-2 ask for your name and relationship to the veteran. In item 3, check the box that describes you and include the documents it names. Item 4 is where the records will be sent: give the full address, including any apartment or unit number, plus phone, fax and email. Item 5 is the authorization signature and date.

After you fill it out

Use the chart on the last page of the PDF to find the code for the office that holds the record, based on branch of service, the member's status or separation date, and whether you need the personnel or the medical record, and send the form to that office. Records held by the National Personnel Records Center can be requested by mail or fax; check the current address and fax number on the official NARA page. NARA also accepts requests online through eVetRecs, which requires identity verification through ID.me. Send a separate SF 180 for each person whose records you are requesting.

Signing: NARA says that even if you type into the fillable SF 180, you still need to print, sign and send it, so sign and date Section III, item 5 by hand. Written requests for non-archival records must be signed and dated within the last year, while no signature is required for archival records.

Watch out for

  • Next of kin must include proof of death. A legal guardian must include a copy of the court appointment, and an authorized representative an authorization letter or power of attorney.
  • The form says the previous edition is unusable, so use the current edition.
  • Do not send original documents. Documents sent with a request are not returned, so send copies.
  • To have medical records sent to a third party, the veteran or dependent must also fill out DD Form 2870.

Questions about SF 180

Who has to sign the SF 180?

For non-archival records, the veteran, the next of kin of a deceased veteran, the veteran's legal guardian or another authorized representative signs Section III, item 5. Without that signature only limited information can be released. No signature is needed when the request is for archival records.

Does it cost anything?

Most services for veterans and next of kin of deceased veterans are free, but some services carry a fee, and copies of archival records are provided for a fee. If a fee applies, you receive an invoice; check current fees on the National Archives website.

What if I do not know some of the answers?

Give as much information as you can. For any item you cannot find out, write "NA" (not available). Missing information can slow down the search.

What is a deleted DD Form 214?

A deleted copy blacks out the authority and reason for separation, the reenlistment eligibility code, the separation code and, for separations after June 30, 1979, the character of separation and dates of time lost. An undeleted copy is sent unless you check the box for a deleted one, and an undeleted copy is ordinarily needed to decide eligibility for benefits.

Can I use SF 180 for service before World War I?

No. Records of service completed before World War I are requested on National Archives Trust Fund (NATF) forms. The instruction sheet says you can get them from NARA by email or by mail.

Official information

Page text last reviewed November 7, 2026.

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