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Military Records

Programs & services

Listed on the organization's official site (veterans.illinois.gov), checked Aug 18, 2026. Always confirm availability with the organization.

  • Request for Discharge from IDVAVeterans, next of kin, fiduciaries, executors, accredited service organizations, authorized government agencies, funeral homes, or coroners requesting a certified copy.
  • Veteran Service Officers assistance requesting certified copiesIllinois veterans whose records are not on file with IDVA can get help requesting a certified copy from the National Personnel Records Center.
  • Duplicate military awards assistanceVeterans can get help to obtain a set of duplicate military awards.
  • Service records and service treatment records assistanceVeterans can get help to acquire copies of their service records and service treatment records.
  • Discharge document upgrades assistanceVeterans can get help to submit discharge document upgrades.
  • DD-214 updates assistanceVeterans can get help to request updates to their DD-214s, such as receipt of a campaign medal after discharge.
  • Permanent recording and storage of service recordsVeterans interested in permanently recording and/or storing their service records, such as DD 214, for future use should visit a Veteran Service Officer.

Eligibility

If you are the veteran, please click HERE to complete the release of information. If you are the veteran’s Next of Kin, fiduciary, or executor please click HERE to complete the release of information. If you are an accredited service organization, authorized government agency, funeral home, or coroner please click HERE to complete the Release of Information.

How to apply

Summarized from the program's official site (veterans.illinois.gov), checked Aug 18, 2026. Always confirm details with the program.

  1. Check whether IDVA may already have your DD 214 on file if you are an Illinois native or have visited a Veteran Service Officer.
  2. Choose the Release of Information form that matches your role: veteran, next of kin/fiduciary/executor, or accredited service organization/authorized agency/funeral home/coroner.
  3. Complete the fillable Release of Information form.
  4. Submit the Release of Information with a photo ID to request a certified copy of a discharge recorded with IDVA.
  5. If IDVA does not have your records on file, contact a Veteran Service Officer for help requesting a certified copy from the National Personnel Records Center.
  6. If you want to permanently record or store your service records for future use, visit a Veteran Service Officer.

What to bring

  • Release of Information form
  • Photo ID
  • Original or certified copy of the discharge when filing with IDVA
  • DD 214

What to expect

IDVA can provide certified copies only when the discharge was filed from an original or certified copy. The page lists reasons a discharge may not be certifiable, including an uncertified source document, illegible critical details, or an incomplete or improper release.

Contact

Next step

See every Illinois program for this need, how they fit together, and what to try first.

Read the Illinois guide

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Source: Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, the official Illinois state veterans agency. Details can change; confirm directly with the program.

View source page (veterans.illinois.gov/services-benefits/militaryrecords.html)

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