Adult children often become involved with a parent's military records when helping with VA paperwork, a home loan, long-term planning, burial arrangements, family records, or other matters requiring information about military service.
If the DD214 cannot be found, the record may still be available through the National Personnel Records Center, the Department of Defense, a military personnel command, or another federal records custodian.
The first question is not simply, "Am I the Veteran's child?" It is: Is my parent living or deceased?
That determines which military-record access rules apply.
Can I Get My Parent's DD214?
Yes, but the process differs depending on your parent's status.
If your parent is living, they have the right to request their own non-archival military personnel records. They may also authorize you as a third party to receive specific records or information.
If your parent is deceased, a son or daughter is specifically included in the National Archives' definition of next of kin and may request the Veteran's non-archival military personnel records.
Records that became archival 62 years after separation are generally open to the public and follow different access rules.
OFFICIAL NATIONAL ARCHIVES RESOURCE
The National Archives explains access to military personnel records for Veterans, qualifying next of kin, and authorized third parties.
Review National Archives military record access rules →Step 1: Determine Whether Your Parent Is Living or Deceased
This is the most important first step because the records-access rules are different.
A child of a living Veteran does not automatically receive unrestricted access to the Veteran's non-archival Official Military Personnel File simply because of the parent-child relationship.
After the Veteran dies, however, NARA recognizes sons and daughters as next of kin.
If you're unsure which access rules apply, read Who Can Legally Request a Veteran's Military Records? .
Step 2: If Your Parent Is Living, Get Their Authorization
If your parent is able to participate in the request, the simplest option is often for them to request their DD214 directly.
If you are handling the process for them, the National Archives allows authorized third parties to request information from non-archival military personnel records with the Veteran's signed and dated authorization.
The authorization should clearly state what information or documents your parent is allowing NARA to release to you.
For example, the authorization could specifically identify the Veteran's DD214 or another military personnel record.
NARA currently states that these authorizations are valid for one year from the date they are signed.
OFFICIAL NATIONAL ARCHIVES RESOURCE
NARA explains how Veterans can authorize third parties—including family members—to receive information from their non-archival military personnel records.
View authorized third-party request requirements →Step 3: If Your Parent Is Deceased, Request the Record as Next of Kin
A son or daughter of a deceased Veteran qualifies as next of kin under National Archives rules for non-archival military personnel records.
NARA's current next-of-kin definition includes:
An un-remarried surviving spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, or brother.
As a son or daughter, you can therefore request your deceased parent's DD214 without needing another relative to make the request for you.
Families dealing specifically with records after a death should also review How to Get a DD214 for a Deceased Veteran .
Step 4: Provide Proof of Death When Your Parent Is Deceased
Qualifying next of kin requesting a deceased Veteran's non-archival records must provide proof of the Veteran's death.
The National Archives accepts documentation such as:
A death certificate, a letter from the funeral home, or a published obituary.
You will also identify your relationship to the Veteran when making the request.
NARA does not state that every ordinary son-or-daughter request universally requires a birth certificate or other separate proof of the parent-child relationship. The published requirement for non-archival next-of-kin requests is to identify the relationship and provide proof of the Veteran's death.
OFFICIAL NATIONAL ARCHIVES RESOURCE
Standard Form 180 guidance explains next-of-kin status, proof-of-death requirements, and signature requirements for military record requests.
Review Standard Form 180 instructions →Step 5: Gather Your Parent's Military Service Information
Accurate identifying information helps records personnel locate the correct military file.
NARA recommends providing information such as:
Your parent's complete name used during military service, service number, Social Security number if applicable, branch of service, dates of service, and date and place of birth.
You may not know every detail, particularly if your parent served many decades ago. Provide as much accurate information as you can rather than guessing.
If the Veteran's records may have been affected by the 1973 National Personnel Records Center fire, information such as the last assigned unit, place of discharge, and place of entry into service may also help the records search.
Step 6: Choose the Correct Request Method
Veterans and qualifying next of kin can generally request military service records from the National Archives online, by mail, or by fax.
The National Archives' online request system is called eVetRecs.
When requesting records for a deceased parent through eVetRecs, you can select that you are the Veteran's next of kin and specify your relationship.
NARA currently requires ID.me identity verification for new eVetRecs requests and for retrieving electronic responses.
The request can also be submitted using Standard Form 180 by mail or fax.
For a general walkthrough, see How to Get a DD214 Online .
OFFICIAL NATIONAL ARCHIVES RESOURCE
NARA's eVetRecs instructions explain how Veterans and next of kin can submit military personnel record requests online.
View official eVetRecs instructions →Can My Living Parent Request Their DD214 Online?
Yes.
If your parent is comfortable handling the request themselves, they can use the National Archives' online eVetRecs system or submit Standard Form 180.
Depending on your parent's branch and separation date, some more recent military records may instead be available through the Department of Defense's milConnect system or another military personnel command.
If your parent is looking specifically for electronic access, read Can I Download My DD214 Online? .
What If You're Helping Your Parent Apply for VA Benefits?
Do not assume your parent must retrieve a DD214 before submitting a VA benefits application.
VA currently states that when it receives an application for VA benefits, VA will request the Veteran's DD214 as part of the application process.
Your parent therefore generally does not need to delay a VA benefits application solely because their personal copy of the DD214 is missing.
Having a personal copy is still useful for many other situations, and individual programs can have additional documentation requirements.
Learn more in Why You Need a DD214 for VA Benefits .
OFFICIAL VA RESOURCE
VA explains that it will request a Veteran's DD214 when it receives a VA benefits application, so the Veteran does not generally need to obtain the record from NARA first.
Review VA military service record guidance →What If You Need Your Parent's DD214 for Burial Arrangements?
Burial-related requests can require a different approach because time matters.
If your parent will be buried in a VA national cemetery and the family cannot locate the DD214, VA says you do not need to independently request the military records solely for burial eligibility.
The National Cemetery Scheduling Office can work directly with NPRC to obtain the records needed to verify service.
If the Veteran will not be buried in a VA national cemetery, NARA has a separate emergency military-record procedure for qualifying burial requests.
Families should also read How to Use a DD214 for Burial Benefits .
OFFICIAL NATIONAL ARCHIVES RESOURCE
NARA explains emergency military-record procedures and direct coordination with VA when records are needed for burial in a national cemetery.
Review emergency military records procedures →How Long Does It Take to Get a Parent's DD214?
There is no guaranteed processing time for every military records request.
NARA says response time depends on the complexity of the request, availability of the record, and current workload.
The National Personnel Records Center currently receives approximately 4,000 to 5,000 requests per day, and NARA asks requesters not to submit a follow-up before 90 days have elapsed.
That does not mean every request takes 90 days. Some may be completed sooner, while more complicated searches can take longer.
For more detail, read How Long Does It Take to Get a DD214? .
What If Your Parent's DD214 Was Lost?
A missing personal copy does not usually mean the government's record has disappeared.
The DD214 may still exist in your parent's Official Military Personnel File, a Department of Defense electronic system, a military personnel command, or another federal records repository.
If your parent remembers having the document but can no longer locate it, see How to Replace a Lost DD214 .
If your parent believes they never received one, read What Happens If I Never Received My DD214? .
What If Your Parent's Records Were Affected by the 1973 NPRC Fire?
Some older Army and Air Force military personnel files were damaged or destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center.
A destroyed personnel file does not necessarily mean your parent's military service can no longer be documented.
NPRC may be able to reconstruct basic service information using alternate records. Depending on what records are available, this can require additional research.
Providing as much accurate information as possible about your parent's service becomes especially important in these cases.
What If Your Parent Separated More Than 62 Years Ago?
Military personnel records generally become archival 62 years after separation from military service.
Once the record becomes archival, it is generally open to the public. You therefore do not need to rely on your status as the Veteran's child simply to order the archival personnel file.
Archival military personnel records are subject to National Archives copying fees.
This rule is particularly relevant to adult children researching the records of parents who served many decades ago.
What If You Don't Have All of Your Parent's Service Information?
Do not assume the request is impossible.
Families often know the Veteran's name and branch of service but do not know an exact service number or precise dates of service.
Provide all accurate information you have. Avoid guessing at dates or identifiers if you are unsure.
Other family documents, old military correspondence, discharge papers, orders, award records, photographs, or previous VA paperwork may help identify useful service details.
And if the DD214 itself cannot immediately be located, see How to Prove Military Service Without a DD214 .
Living Parent vs. Deceased Parent: The Key Difference
The request rules can be summarized simply:
Living parent: your parent can request their own records or give you signed and dated authorization to receive specified records.
Deceased parent: as the Veteran's son or daughter, you qualify as next of kin and can request non-archival records with acceptable proof of death.
Parent separated 62 or more years ago: the military personnel file is generally archival and open to public request.
Determining which situation applies before starting the request can prevent unnecessary confusion and help you use the correct process.
Need Help Preparing Your Parent's DD214 Request?
GetMyDD214.com helps Veterans and eligible family members prepare and route military records requests when a parent's DD214 or other service record needs to be located.
Start a DD214 RequestGetMyDD214.com is a private paid service and is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, or National Archives. Veterans and eligible family members may also request basic non-archival military records directly from the appropriate government agency, generally at no cost.