Are military discharge papers public information?
If you're not the Veteran's next of kin
The National Archives opens all records to the public 62 years after discharge. If the Veteran was discharged less than 62 years ago, you may be able to request limited information from their Military Personnel File.
If you are a recently separated veteran, records can be found online via the VA eBenefits portal. However, most veterans and their next-of-kin can obtain free copies of their DD Form 214 (Report of Separation) and other records several ways: Use our eVetRecs system to create your request.
- Start your records request online for recent military service.
- Print and fill out a Form SF 180. Mail it to the appropriate address on the form.
- Write a letter to request records, following the directions and using the address under number 2 on this web page.
The report of separation form issued in most recent years is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
The Privacy Act of 1974 limits access to a veteran's DD214 to only the service member (either past or present) or the member's legal guardian; only these persons will have access to almost any information contained in that member's own record.
However, an employer should not ask an applicant the reason he or she was discharged from the military or request to see military discharge papers (DD-214), except when directly related to the job or to determine veteran's preference.
Employment verification:
Please direct your request to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) at https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/statusverification.html#. They can also be reached by phone at 1-888-332-7411.
The DD214 is issued by The Department of Defense to every veteran; your record will include important information, including your discharge status: Honorable, General Other Than Honorable (GOTH), Other Than Honorable (OTH), Dishonorable, or Bad Conduct.
If you are a veteran or a member of the Army, Navy, Marines, or Air Force and are serving as active duty, reserve, or guard, or if you are retired, you can use the Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval System page on the milConnect website to request and receive scanned copies of documents in your OMPF.
Without the Veteran or Next-of-Kin's authorization:
Without the consent of the veteran or next-of-kin, the NPRC can only release limited information from non-archival Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) to the general public.
How do I find out if someone was dishonorably discharged?
The National Archives has online information that may help determine if the person in question was dishonorably discharged. The Access to Archives Databases (AAD) system has computerized records that can verify military service.
While the type of discharge can be viewed by an employer, the employer should not ask the candidate to provide a reason as to why they were discharged from the military during the hiring process.
- DD214 form.
- Driver's License or DMV-Issued State ID with VETERAN endorsem*nt.
- Honorable Discharge Certificate.
- NGB form 22.
- Reserve Separation Orders.
- Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC), or Veteran Identification Card (VIC)
In the rare case that a court-martial decides on a death sentence, the dishonorable discharge is meted out the day prior to the condemned soldier being put to death. In most states, a dishonorable discharge is deemed the equivalent of a felony conviction, with attendant loss of many civil rights.
One of the most accurate ways to verify military service records is through a FOIA request letter. Public military service records are readily available to citizens just like other pieces of government information. Most public record request don't require personal information or explanation from your part.
Your military record will not automatically appear in a general background check unless your potential employer requests it. Employers will need to get your permission to request your military record.
Since the DD Form 214 is issued to those leaving the active military as well as to members of the National Guard and Reserves completing their initial active duty for training, possession of this document does not necessarily mean the student is a veteran.
Some employers may run background checks that contain discharge details on the service member's DD-214. The service member has to consent to the release of their DD-214 at the time of the background check, since they are not public records.
Employers may ask to see copy 1 of the DD-214 to confirm dates served in the military. They may also ask to see copy 4 of the DD-214 (the copy that shows the type of discharge) if they have a good business reason for asking for it.
Many employment applications touch on an applicant's affiliation with the military. While answering the question is not necessarily required and can be left blank, not disclosing any affiliation could potentially result in legal employment termination if the military affiliation conflicts with employment requirements.
Can an employer verify military service?
However, per Department of Defense Instruction 1205.12, the Military Departments are required to verify periods of uniformed service upon an employer's request, regardless of duration of the service-related absence. Employers may reach out to the employee's military chain of command to request this verification.
Most providers make their first attempt to verify military service by utilizing the Department of Defense Service Member Database. This is a quick search and many providers stop at this point, whether they were able to verify the veteran's service or not.
To verify Veteran status, CVE generally requests the applicant to provide official documentation from the military such as an individual's DD-214 form. A letter of explanation will not satisfy this requirement.
General Discharge
A General military discharge is a form of administrative discharge. If a service member's performance is satisfactory but the individual failed to meet all expectations of conduct for military members, the discharge is considered a General Discharge, Under Honorable Conditions.
Honorable Discharge
An honorable discharge is the most common type of military discharge. This discharge shows that a military member did not leave the service under dishonorable conditions, like bad conduct or committing a crime.
Certain civilian rights, such as the right to bear arms. Under federal law, those receiving a dishonorable discharge from the military lose their right to possess firearms. Federal employment: For most people, their type of military discharge has very little effect on later job searches.
D-214 Military Discharge Papers and Separation Documents
Discharge documents are confidential and are not available to the general public. To obtain a certified copy of a military discharge form DD-214, you must be authorized under Section 6107 of the Government Code.
There are two ways you can obtain a copy of your DD-214. The first is to use “ebenefits” and the second is to submit a written request through the National Archives. You will be notified by email when your documents are ready.
Your military discharge papers are officially known as DD Form 214, or just DD214. All veterans receive this Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty once they are out of the military. In a nutshell, the DD214 is proof of your military service.
The U.S. National Archives & Records Administration. Provides military records on request to Veterans and their next of kin, including DD 214 separation documents, official military personnel file (OMPF), replacement medals, and medical and health records.
What is the difference between a DD214 and a DD 256?
Like the DD214, the NGB22 provides all of the pertinent information about an individual's military career, including the nature of discharge. A DD256, on the other hand, is basically just a statement confirming the individual served and was discharged under honorable conditions.
One of the worst parts about receiving a Dishonorable Discharge is that it can affect your life long after your military service has concluded. A person who was dishonorably discharged from the military typically cannot receive any of the military benefits that they would otherwise be entitled to.
A dishonorable discharge is noted on a servicemembers DD-214 and follows them for life. These discharges prevent a person from owning firearms or voting; receiving many benefits, grants, and loans, especially at the federal level; and prevent a person from receiving any veteran's benefits.
“Sexting isn't a crime under the [Uniform Code of Military Justice], however, it can be evidence for a lot of other different types of crimes,” said Air Force Capt. Amanda Goodwin, 673d Air Base Wing Chief of Military Justice.
Generally it will not be included in most background checks. However, it will show up in some Federal background checks. In addition, if your military discharge was related a conviction of a Federal crime,. that conviction will show up in most background checks, as a conviction by a Federal, military court.
(d) A person who is discharged honorably or under honorable conditions from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force may wear his uniform while going from the place of discharge to his home, within three months after his discharge.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act provide balance between the right of the public to obtain information from military service records and the right of the former military service member to protect his/her privacy. See Federal Records Center Program to access these records.
Veterans can now easily prove their eligibility to receive California state and federal veterans benefits without having to carry inconvenient and inefficient papers. Applying for the veteran driver's license and ID is easy: Simply find your military discharge certificate (DD214).
You rarely need to pay for a DD214
Naturally, the most common reason is to replace a lost or damaged copy of the original DD214. A simple lack of information is the reason some veterans and their families wind up paying a fee to get the DD214, which is usually available for free.
Federal law allows you to sue the U.S. government for payment of money as a result of the wrongful discharge, improper retirement, denial of promotion, service-related disability, and incorrect military records under some circ*mstances.
Are you considered a veteran with an other than honorable discharge?
Normally only honorable and general under honorable conditions will qualify the veteran for benefits. An uncharacterized discharge may also qualify the veteran, but it is up to the VA and is handled on a case- by-case basis. Officers cannot receive a dishonorable discharge.
That being said, there are two groups of retirees that are treated like active-duty members and can be charged under the UCMJ: active-duty veterans who retired from the armed forces and are entitled to immediate retirement pay, and Navy-Marine Corps Fleet Reservists who retired between 20 and 30 years of service.
Help After You're Out: Replacing Your Discharge Papers
You or your next-of-kin can request a copy of your DD Form 214 online by going to the National Personnel Records Center website. You can mail or fax your signed and dated request to the National Archives' National Personnel Record Center (NPRC).
The National Archives has online information that may help determine if the person in question was dishonorably discharged. The Access to Archives Databases (AAD) system has computerized records that can verify military service.
Without your authorization (or your next of kin's if you are deceased), the government can only release limited information from your official military personnel files. Information they can release, includes: Name, photograph and service number. Dates and branch of service.
A lot of military members, their families and Defense Department employees don't know this, but photocopying any U.S. government identification is a violation of Title 18, US Code Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701.
One of the best ways to verify military service online is through the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service (SCRACVS). SCRA is a program that provides certain protections for service members on active duty.
Veterans or their next of kin who need assistance in obtaining service records, a DD 214, or replacement awards and medals must formally request them through the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). The NPRC is the records custodian for most discharged and retired members of all branches of service.
The National Archives will expedite delivery of a DD-214 under certain circ*mstances, usually in 1 to 5 days.
38 U.S.C. § 101(2) provides: The term "veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
How can you tell if someone is ex military?
- #1 – DFAS.
- #2 – Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) Request.
- #3 – National Personnel Records Center.
- #4 – DD 214 or Military ID Card.
- #5 – Commendation Medal Search.
- #6 – Online Military Background Check.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A dishonorable discharge is a condition of termination of service noted on a DD-214. While technically not a felony, many U.S. states treat it as an equivalent, and loss of benefits and rights are similar to those with felonies.
Upon request by a law enforcement officer or a prosecutor, the bureau may release information regarding a person's military service for the purposes of investigating alleged false claims of service or decoration awarded for service in the Armed Forces of the United States or a state military force.
In accordance with California law, only the following individuals are allowed to obtain a certified copy of a Military Discharge (DD214) record after showing photo identification are: Veteran named on the discharge. Family member of the veteran. Legal representative of the veteran.
Your military record will not automatically appear in a general background check unless your potential employer requests it. Employers will need to get your permission to request your military record.
Employers may ask to see copy 1 of the DD-214 to confirm dates served in the military. They may also ask to see copy 4 of the DD-214 (the copy that shows the type of discharge) if they have a good business reason for asking for it.
All requests must be signed and dated by the veteran or next of kin. If you are the next of kin of a deceased veteran, you must provide proof of death of the veteran such as a copy of death certificate, letter from funeral home, or published obituary.
Service members are given the option of accepting the "short form" edited Member 1, "long form" unedited Member 4 or both copies upon separation. The most important copy of the DD 214 for the individual is the long form copy.
