Military Record Search
Access service records, discharge status, and military history. Scan veteran and defense records across all branches. 100% confidential — results in 60 seconds.
Search opens with our recommended provider. We may receive compensation. Advertiser Disclosure
Commonly Asked Questions About Military Record Online
Where Does Military Records Data Come From?
Service information reaches the public record through several routes. Some veterans file a copy of their DD-214 with a county recorder after separation. Unit rosters, award citations, casualty lists, and historical enlistment records are released by the National Archives and branch historical offices. Cemetery and burial records held by the VA are public. Search services collect from these sources rather than from the sealed personnel file itself.
What Information Is on a DD-214?
The DD-214 is the discharge document issued when a service member separates. It records branch of service, entry and separation dates, rank or grade at separation, military occupational specialty, total active and reserve time, decorations and campaign medals awarded, education and training completed, and the character of service. It also carries a separation code and a reentry code describing the circumstances of discharge. Certified copies are issued by the National Personnel Records Center to the veteran or to next of kin. A public records search covers the service details that have entered the public record, which is generally what people need to confirm service or locate a former service member.
How Can I Use Military Records?
Common personal uses include reconnecting with someone you served alongside, tracing family history, or confirming that a person you met actually served. Public records searches of this kind are not consumer reports, and they cannot lawfully be used for employment screening, tenant screening, or any purpose governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Why Are Some Older Records Missing?
A 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis destroyed a large share of Army records for members discharged between 1912 and 1960, and Air Force records for a portion of that same window. Reconstruction from alternate sources is possible in many cases but incomplete, so gaps in mid-century service records are common.
Are Military Records Searches Free?
Requests made directly to the National Personnel Records Center by a veteran or next of kin are free, though they can take weeks to process. The National Archives also publishes historical service records at no cost. Consolidated searches that pull service related records together with current contact and location data are generally paid.
Will the Person Know I Searched for Them?
No. Reviewing a public record generates no notice to the person it concerns. Federal and state archives, county recorders, and search services alike keep no requirement to inform the subject that a record was viewed.
Ready to run a Military Record search? It only takes minutes.
Search Now →Official Records Come From These Offices
Military service information is split between federal custodians and state level offices. Which one holds a given record depends on the branch, the era of service, and whether the member has separated.
What Shows Up in a Military Records Search
Branch and Service Dates
Branch of service, approximate entry and separation dates, and rank at separation where those details have entered the public record.
Unit and Assignment History
Installations and units where a member served, published in rosters, award citations, and branch historical records.
Awards and Decorations
Decorations and campaign medals appear for many members through published citation lists and branch historical offices.
The 1973 Records Fire
A fire at the National Personnel Records Center destroyed a large share of Army records for members discharged between 1912 and 1960, and part of the Air Force set. Gaps in mid-century service records are common.
Why People Search Military Records
Reconnect With Someone You Served With
Unit and installation history helps narrow down where a former service member went after separation.
Confirm Someone Actually Served
Verification of service is generally available, which is what people check when a claim of service does not add up.
Trace Family Military History
Historical enlistment records and archived rosters reach back generations further than most other public records.
Locate a Veteran Relative
Service records combined with current address and contact data are how most people find a relative they have lost touch with.
Find Burial Information
VA cemetery and burial records are public and identify where a veteran was interred.
Prepare a Benefits Request
Knowing branch, approximate dates, and unit makes a records request to the National Personnel Records Center substantially easier to file.
Best Military Record Sites of 2026
We spent hours comparing multiple Military Record sites on data quality, usability, and cost, and our top pick for 2026 is Instant Checkmate. Our goal is to help you find comprehensive results at a fair price, without wasting time on services that overpromise or overcharge.
Our top-rated Military Record service, with extensive report detail and strong overall value. Premium data is included.
Straightforward search with broad results. One of the more expensive services but worth every penny if you're looking for a top notch Military Record service.
One of the longest-running background check services, founded in 2003. Solid on basic biographical data, phone, and address lookups. Criminal & traffic records can be inconsistent.
In business since 1993 — one of the original people search services. One of the quickest search experiences we tested with solid criminal & traffic records and a strong reverse phone lookup.