Can a Spouse Request a DD214?

Spouses often help manage important military and family records. A DD214 may become relevant when dealing with VA benefits, a VA home loan, burial arrangements, survivor matters, estate administration, or simply maintaining an accurate family record of military service.

But being married to a Veteran does not automatically provide unrestricted access to the Veteran's military personnel file.

The National Archives and National Personnel Records Center apply different access rules depending on whether the Veteran is living, deceased, or separated from military service more than 62 years ago.

Can a Spouse Request a DD214?

Yes, under certain circumstances.

If the Veteran is living, the Veteran can request the DD214 directly or authorize a spouse to receive military record information on their behalf.

If the Veteran has died, an un-remarried surviving spouse is included in the National Archives' definition of next of kin and may request the deceased Veteran's non-archival military records.

The exact process therefore depends heavily on whether the Veteran is living or deceased.

What If the Veteran Is Still Living?

A spouse does not automatically receive unrestricted access to a living Veteran's non-archival Official Military Personnel File simply because of the marriage.

The simplest option is often for the Veteran to request the DD214 directly.

A Veteran can also authorize a spouse or another third party to request records on their behalf. According to the National Archives, the authorization should be signed and dated and should clearly identify what records or information may be released.

NARA states that third-party authorizations are valid for one year from the date they are signed.

This arrangement can be useful when a spouse is helping an aging, disabled, or otherwise busy Veteran manage paperwork and military records.

How Can a Living Veteran Authorize a Spouse?

The Veteran should provide signed and dated authorization allowing the spouse to receive the specific military records being requested.

The authorization should identify exactly what may be released—for example, the Veteran's DD214 or another specific record contained in the military personnel file.

The request should also include enough identifying information for the National Personnel Records Center to locate the correct file.

Veterans who prefer to request the document themselves can review our step-by-step guide to getting a DD214 online .

What If the Veteran Is Deceased?

The access rules change after the Veteran dies.

For non-archival military personnel records, the National Archives recognizes certain relatives as next of kin. That group includes an un-remarried surviving widow or widower.

Other qualifying next of kin include the Veteran's son, daughter, father, mother, brother, or sister.

Qualifying next of kin generally receive greater access to a deceased Veteran's non-archival military personnel records than members of the general public.

For a broader explanation of these rules, see Who Can Legally Request a Veteran's Military Records? .

What Does a Surviving Spouse Need to Provide?

A surviving spouse requesting a deceased Veteran's non-archival military records must provide enough identifying information for the record to be located and must provide proof that the Veteran has died.

The National Archives identifies several acceptable forms of proof of death, including:

A death certificate, a letter from the funeral home, or a published obituary.

Written requests for non-archival records must also be signed and dated.

Families requesting records after a death may also want to review How to Get a DD214 for a Deceased Veteran .

What Information Helps Locate the Veteran's DD214?

Providing complete identifying and military service information can make it easier for records personnel to locate the correct file.

The National Archives recommends providing information such as the Veteran's complete name used during military service, branch of service, dates of service, date and place of birth, Social Security number, and service number if one was assigned.

If the Veteran's records may have been affected by the 1973 National Personnel Records Center fire, additional information such as the last unit of assignment, place of discharge, and place of entry into service can also be useful.

Why Might a Spouse Need a Veteran's DD214?

There are many reasons a spouse or surviving spouse may need military service documentation.

A DD214 may be useful when dealing with VA benefits, home loan eligibility, burial and memorial arrangements, survivor matters, employment documentation, state Veteran programs, or family record keeping.

The documentation requirements differ depending on the benefit or program involved, so a DD214 should not be viewed as universally required for every Veteran benefit.

For more detail, see What Benefits Require a DD214? .

Can a Spouse Request a DD214 for Burial Arrangements?

Yes, and this can become particularly time-sensitive after a Veteran dies.

Military service documentation may be needed when arranging military funeral honors or determining eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery.

If the burial involves a VA national cemetery, the National Archives advises families to contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office. VA and NPRC can work directly together to obtain records needed to verify military service.

If the Veteran will not be buried in a VA national cemetery and the records request is urgent, NARA provides an emergency request process.

Our burial guide explains the process in more detail: How to Use a DD214 for Burial Benefits .

What If the Veteran's DD214 Has Been Lost?

Losing a DD214 is common, particularly when many years have passed since military separation.

A missing personal copy does not necessarily mean the military record itself is gone. Depending on when and where the Veteran served, separation records may still be maintained by the National Personnel Records Center, a military branch, or another federal records system.

If the document cannot be found, read How to Replace a Lost DD214 .

If another form of military documentation is needed while the DD214 is unavailable, see How to Prove Military Service Without a DD214 .

What Happens When Military Records Are More Than 62 Years Old?

Military personnel files become archival 62 years after the service member separates from military service.

Once a file becomes archival, it is generally open to the public. This means the requester no longer needs to qualify as the Veteran, next of kin, or an authorized representative simply to order the archival record.

Archival military records are subject to National Archives copying fees.

This rule can be especially relevant to spouses and descendants researching Veterans who left military service many decades ago.

The Answer Depends on the Veteran's Status

The easiest way to understand spouse access is to separate the rules into three situations:

Living Veteran: the Veteran can request the record or authorize the spouse to receive specific records.

Deceased Veteran: an un-remarried surviving spouse may qualify as next of kin and request non-archival records with proof of the Veteran's death.

Veteran separated 62 or more years ago: the personnel file is generally archival and open to public request.

Knowing which category applies before starting the request can prevent avoidable confusion and help ensure the request is prepared correctly.