If you are a United States veteran preparing to apply for VA benefits such as health care, mortgage assistance, or education and training opportunities, you will need a copy of your DD Form 214 (typically shortened to just "DD214") to show proof of service and honorable discharge.
What is a DD214?
For members of the Armed Forces (the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard), a DD214 is issued upon separation or discharge from active duty, including when a servicemember retires. Officially known as a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, the DD214 is among the most important documents you possess when it comes to documenting your military career and conduct.
However, it often happens that over time, DD214s get misplaced or damaged, or sometimes even stolen, which means you will need to order a replacement copy before you start applying for VA benefits.
Will the replacement copy look exactly like my original DD214?
Yes. The copy you receive from DD214Direct.com is called the Service 2 Copy, which is provided upon request by the government. The Service 2 Copy is an exact duplicate of the Member 4 (long-form) Copy, which is your original DD214 that was provided by your branch of service upon discharge, often along with a Member 1 (short-form) Copy.
It is important to point out that you will never need to provide a Member 4 Copy for any type of veteran benefit.
The Service 2 Copy is all you need to provide proof of service for post-discharge benefits and entitlements. In rare cases, you may be told that you do need to provide a Member 4 Copy, but this simply means the requesting party (e.g., a mortgage lender) does not have a clear understanding of the different DD214 copies and what they can be used for.
In the past, the VA also issued a statement in error saying that servicemembers need to provide a Member 4 Copy to show proof of service. This is incorrect and often results in confusion and frustration for veterans applying for their benefits.
Veteran-owned DD214Direct helps you get the documents you need, when you need them.
Our cutting-edge technology platform and keen knowledge of government protocol and procedure allow us to deliver your documents faster than you could get them on your own. First, we digitize both your request and the returned documents, using electronic signatures to avoid extra time with the postal service. We also integrate email and fax throughout our entire process, while many agencies do not.
To further expedite the process, our team ensures your initial request is filled out properly the first time and includes the necessary supporting documentation so that it doesn't bounce back. In addition, we break up multiple requests (DD214, OMPF, etc.) so that each piece is handled separately and one does not delay the other.
Once your request is processed, DD214Direct becomes your personal advocate, working directly with the agency that holds your records (currently there are about 75 independent agencies) and immediately responding to any agency issues on your behalf. In many cases, DD214Direct is able to advance your request to a higher-priority workflow. Finally, we have team members at many locations to drop off and pick up documents.
Much like paying a small fee to have your taxes done by a professional, DD214Direct provides the service and convenience you’ve been hoping for, plus we make it a lot easier. Once we locate your DD214, we can email you a copy immediately—a service not offered by the government. And tracking your request through us is simple, so you never have to worry about long hold times and inconclusive answers.
Ready to get started? Click here to begin the order process.
