Which government sites host military service records and how to search them?
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Executive summary
Federal military service records are primarily held by the National Archives / National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis for 20th‑century personnel and by NARA’s other repositories for older records; recent separates and some medical files are accessed via eVetRecs or SF‑180 requests [1] [2] [3]. Service-branch and state repositories also hold records (Army iPERMS, Navy/Coast Guard guidance, state adjutant general offices); many records are not available online and identity verification (ID.me) or signed written requests are typically required [4] [5] [6] [2].
1. The central repository: National Archives and the NPRC — where to send requests
The National Archives is the federal government’s official repository for military service records: records from the Revolutionary War to 1912 sit at National Archives in Washington, D.C., while World War I through recent records are custodied at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis — requests can be made online via eVetRecs, by mail using Standard Form 180, or by fax [7] [3] [8]. NARA warns that most veteran service records are not available online and that archival records older than 62 years may carry reproduction fees [5] [2].
2. Branch and service‑specific systems: Army iPERMS, AFPC, and others
The Army has shifted many personnel files into electronic systems: since October 1, 2002, the Army uses iPERMS as the official repository for current Army records, and access may require a CAC or DS Logon; older paper/microfiche records before that date remain at the NPRC in St. Louis [4]. The Air Force Personnel Center and other branch offices handle active‑duty administrative requests and report high request volumes, while Navy/Marine/Coast Guard researchers are directed to NARA/NPRC for discharged and deceased personnel [9] [10] [8].
3. VA and other federal pathways: coordinating with benefits and cemetery offices
The Department of Veterans Affairs directs claimants to request separation documents (DD Form 214) and personnel files from the National Archives and provides step‑by‑step guidance; VA pages link users to NARA’s eVetRecs and note that you’ll receive an email confirming receipt of a request [11]. The National Cemetery Administration and other VA offices reference the NPRC’s eVetRecs workflow for emergency or funeral‑related requests [7].
4. State archives, adjutant generals, and historical guides — where to look for earlier or militia records
State archives, historical societies, and adjutant general offices frequently hold militia or state unit records; when units mustered into federal service, copies may reside both at state repositories and at federal repositories, so researchers should check both [6] [12]. The Library of Congress and branch history offices provide curated guides and indexes (e.g., Army Master Index) that direct researchers to the correct federal or state holding [5] [13].
5. What you’ll be asked for, delays, and identity checks
NARA and related sites instruct requesters to provide identifying information (service member name, service number/SSN, branch, dates) and to sign requests; veterans and next‑of‑kin have prioritized online options via eVetRecs, while identity verification through third‑party services such as ID.me is required for some electronic submissions and retrievals [2] [1]. Expect variable response times: NPRC historically receives thousands of requests daily and backlog or processing delays are common [9] [1].
6. Gaps, destroyed files, and how the NPRC responds to loss
Researchers must account for the 1973 NPRC fire that destroyed millions of Army and Air Force files; when files were lost, NPRC relies on alternate sources such as morning reports, payrolls, and unit records to reconstruct service data and will issue certificates of service when possible [14] [15]. The Congressional and NARA literature makes clear some reconstructions are partial and alternative records may be needed [14] [10].
7. Practical search steps and recommended first actions
Start at the National Archives veterans pages to launch eVetRecs or download SF‑180, gather identifiers (DD‑214 if available, service number, dates), and decide whether you are the veteran, next‑of‑kin, or a researcher—this determines which form and proof you must provide; consult branch‑specific guidance (Army iPERMS, AFPC) or state archives for non‑federal militia records [3] [8] [4]. If you hit a dead end, consult Library of Congress guides and branch history indexes for unit rosters and morning reports that NARA or state repositories hold [5] [13].
Limitations and reading between the lines: NARA and VA sources all point to the same workflow centered on NARA/NPRC, but available sources do not mention a single public searchable database of all individual OMPFs online; many records remain offline or behind identity verification procedures [10] [2]. If you need step‑by‑step help, those NARA and VA pages include forms and contact options [3] [11].