Standard Form 180 is known as a Request Pertaining to Military Records. It is processed by the United States National Archives. Military veterans, the next of kin for deceased veterans, and a few other select parties may use this form as an official request to access certain military records. You'll need certain information in order to have this form processed. This includes the veteran's name, social security number, birthday, information about their military service, and whether the veteran may be retired or deceased.
A Standard Form 180 is used by the United States National Archives. This particular form is a Request Pertaining to Military Records. Certain parties, including military veterans and the next of kin of deceased veterans, can use this form to request military records. This form can be mailed in to the National Archives or it can be filed online.
In order for the archives to find the record, you need to give them identifying information. This includes the military member’s name, social security number, date of birth, and what branch they served in. The dates that they were in the military will also help the archive to locate the records. If the military member is retired from the military or deceased, include this information as well. Before you send the form off, make sure you have your current contact information listed so that the archive can send you the records.
A Standard Form 180 contains the following sections:
To complete a SF 180, you will need to provide the following information:
You can obtain SF 180 online, request a form through the mail from National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63138, or request it from the Department of Defense, Federal Information Center, local Veterans Administration office, or from veterans service organization. The SF 180 may be photocopied.
All written requests for Federal records and information must be signed in cursive and dated within the last year. You may submit more than one request per envelope or fax, but a separate request form must be filled out for each individual whose records are being requested.
You can fax, mail, or submit the form online.
Mailing address:
National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138
Fax number:
(314) 801-9195
The response time for records that are requested from the National Personnel Records Center will vary and depends on the complexity of your request, the availability of records, and the workload. Do not send a follow-up request before 90 days have elapsed.
The NPRC responds to requests for separation documents within 10 days about 92% of the time. Requests that involve reconstruction efforts due to the 1973 Fire or older records that require extensive searching may take 6 months or more to complete.
If your request is urgent and there is a deadline associated with your request, you should indicate this is in the purpose section of the SF-180 and fax it to the Customer Service Team at (314) 801-0764. The NPRC strives to complete all urgent requests within two working days. Contact the customer service staff at (314) 801-0800 if you have questions or require same day service.
