SF 180. Request Pertaining To Military Records

Form SF-180 is a standard government form that is used to request military records for active duty, retired, or deceased members of the United States Armed Forces. This form is critical for accessing historical information on veterans and military members, including their service and separation dates and details about their military training, awards, and assignments.

Form SF-180 consists of several parts requiring different information including the requester's personal information, the requested veteran's personal information, the requester's intended use for the information, and a notarized signature. In addition to providing the basic information in the form, additional documents may be required, such as proof of death or legal proof of relationship.

The form can be used by a wide range of individuals, including veterans, their next of kin, authorized representatives or attorneys, organizations that are authorized by statute, and members of the general public who conduct research on military history. Each requester must provide a valid reason for requesting the information.

The benefits of the SF-180 form include its ability to help individuals access important information about military service members and veterans for a variety of purposes. Such information might be necessary to file claims and benefits, provide updates to family members, investigate ancestry and genealogy, or learn about military history for research or personal interest. However, the form can be challenging to complete due to the need for certain information and additional documentation requirements.

Alternative forms may be used for gaining access to similar types of military records, including the Form DD-214, which is a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and the Form SF-181, which is the Ethnicity and Race Identification Form. The SF-180 form can be submitted by mail or in-person to the National Archives and Records Administration facility of the requester's choice.