The main route: the National Archives (free)
Almost all 20th‑century records are held by the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) — a branch of the National Archives located at 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO. There are three ways to ask:
- Online — eVetRecs (recommended): start at the National Archives veterans page and follow the prompts; you’ll verify your identity through ID.me. Works for the veteran and for next of kin.
- By mail or fax — Standard Form SF‑180: the classic paper route, and the usual choice for next of kin who need to attach proof of death. Mail it to the NPRC in St. Louis.
- milConnect: for the veteran themselves (a self‑service DoD portal, best for those discharged in roughly the last 20–30 years, who can often download the DD‑214 immediately). It requires the veteran’s own login, so it’s generally not the route a family member uses.
Official links: archives.gov/veterans · Standard Form SF‑180 · next‑of‑kin access · milConnect.
Cost & timing
- Free for records less than 62 years old (which covers essentially all living veterans and the recently deceased).
- Archival records (62+ years since separation) are public and carry a flat National Archives copy fee — $25 for 5 pages or fewer, $70 for 6+.
- Timing varies — the NPRC handles thousands of requests a day and asks that you not follow up for 90 days. There’s no guaranteed turnaround, so start early when you can.
Need it urgently (funeral / military honors)
- Mark the request urgent and note the reason (e.g., “funeral”) in the comments of eVetRecs or on the SF‑180.
- Next‑of‑kin emergency fax to the NPRC: 314‑801‑0764; phone 314‑801‑0800.
- For burial in a VA national cemetery, you don’t need the DD‑214 first — call the VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800‑535‑1117. See our veterans benefits guide.
The local shortcut: your county
Many veterans recorded their DD‑214 with the county after discharge, and a certified county copy is often free or low‑cost and quick. A copy exists only if it was recorded there.
- Kansas — Register of Deeds. Recorded military discharges are restricted to the veteran and their descendants, so as an adult child you’re eligible. Example: Johnson County Register of Deeds. Free help is also available from the Kansas Office of Veterans Services.
- Missouri — Recorder of Deeds. Example: Jackson County Recorder of Deeds. The Missouri Veterans Commission (573‑751‑3779) also helps veterans and families find records for free.
Common questions
Can I get my deceased father’s DD‑214?
Yes. As next of kin — the surviving spouse, a son or daughter, a parent, or a sibling — you have the same access to a veteran’s record as the veteran did. Request it free from the National Personnel Records Center, and include proof of death: a copy of the death certificate, a letter from the funeral home, or a published obituary.
How much does a DD‑214 cost?
Nothing. Copies of a veteran’s DD‑214 and basic service records are free to the veteran, next of kin, and authorized representatives when the record is less than 62 years old. The only fee is for very old “archival” records (62+ years since separation), which the National Archives copies for a flat $25 (5 pages or fewer) or $70 (6+ pages).
I need it fast for a funeral with military honors — what do I do?
Mark the request urgent (note “funeral” in the comments of the online request or SF‑180) and you can fax next‑of‑kin requests to the National Personnel Records Center at 314‑801‑0764. For burial in a VA national cemetery, your family does not need the DD‑214 first — call the VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800‑535‑1117 and they confirm eligibility.
Is there a local copy?
Often, yes. Many veterans file their DD‑214 with their county Register of Deeds (Kansas) or Recorder of Deeds (Missouri) after discharge, and a certified copy from the county is usually free or low‑cost — frequently the fastest route. In Kansas, recorded discharges are restricted to the veteran and their descendants, so as an adult child you qualify.
General information for Kansas City families, not legal or benefits advice. Phone numbers, fees, and procedures change — confirm details on the official National Archives, VA, or county page before relying on them. See our documents hub for other records.