MILITARY DISCHARGE REQUESTS
Copies of military discharges (DD214 form or equivalent) are often required as proof of service when applying for state and federal veteran benefits, as well as programs from local municipalities and discounts from retailers.
Discharge documents may be requested by an individual to prove veteran status for benefits or by:
- Case managers or social workers helping a veteran access benefits.
- Funeral homes coordinating burials for veterans.
- Family members who wish to join a veteran service organization or to learn more about their family member’s military career.
The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services has an archive of nearly 50,000 discharge records, which are available for free to veterans and eligible family members. If you are a veteran who entered the military from Maine, the Bureau of Veterans’ Services may have a copy of your DD214 (or quivalent) on file. The application form to request a DD214 or other discharge paperwork may be found the MBVS website.
Typically, the Bureau will not have DD214s for current Maine residents who entered the military from another state. If the Bureau does not have your DD214, you may wish to request it from the following resources:
- The National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs provides a listing of other states’ departments of veterans’ services. Contact the veterans’ services department of your home state to determine if they have your discharge records. (www.nasdva.us)
- The National Archives and Records Administration may also be able to assist in providing you with a copy from the National Personnel Records Center. Please visit their website at www. archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records and follow the instructions for completing a request.
Military Discharge Request Form
Last Updated: August 7, 2024
