How do I get a copy of my discharge papers?

If you are a veteran in Washington and need to obtain a copy of your separation papers, or Discharge Certificate (DD Form 214), you will need to fill out and submit a Standard Form 180 (SF-180) to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). You can obtain the SF-180 online at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/. Once completed, the form should be mailed to the NPRC at the address provided on the form. It is important to include any relevant information on the form, including your name at the time of service, Social Security Number, branch of service, and dates of service. You will also need to include a copy of your valid photo identification, such as a state driver’s license or passport. Alternatively, if you are in the Washington area, you can also request your records in person by visiting your local County Veteran Affairs Office. They will provide you with an SF-180 form and help you fill it out correctly. Once submitted, the NPRC can take up to six months to process your request. It is important to be patient and to follow up periodically to ensure your request is being processed in a timely manner. Veterans who have records stored at the NPRC in St. Louis, Missouri, may also be able to request a copy of their discharge papers online through the Veteran E-Records program. This is only available for certain branches of service and certain time periods, and veterans must have a user account in order to use the service. All veterans in Washington who need a copy of their discharge papers should contact their local County Veterans Affairs office or follow the instructions above to submit an SF-180 form.

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How do I get a copy of my discharge papers?

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