Get a copy of military records of service

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Apply for the records of a deceased serviceperson

Records of service for the deceased are held by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and The National Archives (TNA). Who you apply to depends on:

  • when the person served
  • which service they were in
  • their rank

Apply for records held by The National Archives

TNA holds all records of service for World War 1 and earlier for:

  • Royal Navy (including Royal Marines)
  • British Army聽
  • Royal Air Force (RAF)

It also holds records for:

  • British Army personnel below the rank of officer who were discharged before 1964
  • Home Guard

to get these records.

There may be a fee. If there is, you바카라 사이트檒l be quoted a search cost.

Apply for records held by the MOD

You can apply for a copy of a deceased person바카라 사이트檚 records of service if they바카라 사이트檙e not held by TNA and that person was in the:

  • Royal Navy (including Royal Marines)
  • British Army
  • Royal Air Force (RAF)

What information you바카라 사이트檒l get

Each record of service may include:

  • first name and surname
  • service number
  • rank and regiment or corps
  • place and date of birth
  • date they joined and left the armed forces
  • date of death, if they died in service
  • good conduct medals
  • details about their career, for example, the units they served in

Information may be withheld if it:

  • could harm the security or operations of the armed forces
  • relates to medical or disciplinary information

In some cases little or no information is available about someone바카라 사이트檚 military service.

How to apply

You can apply online or by post.

There바카라 사이트檚 no fee.

You바카라 사이트檒l need to provide the person바카라 사이트檚:

  • full name

  • date of birth

  • service number, if you know it

You do not have to provide a death certificate. But without one, information may be withheld unless the person either:

  • died in service
  • was born more than 116 years ago

If you바카라 사이트檙e applying online and can provide a death certificate, it needs to be in digital format (PDF, PNG, or JPEG).

If you do not have the death certificate, you can order a copy or provide a declaration of a presumed death.

Due to high demand, please do not submit more than 5 applications every month.

Apply online

When you apply online for a British Army record, the MOD will check if they hold it. If they have it, they바카라 사이트檒l send it to you. If they do not, you바카라 사이트檒l be told to check The National Archives.

Apply by post

  1. Download and fill in a request for information form.

  2. Download and fill in a search form. The form you need depends on which military service the person was in.

  3. Send both forms and any supporting documents (for example, a death certificate) to the address on the search form.

After you바카라 사이트檝e applied

The relevant military service will confirm they바카라 사이트檝e received your application. The search can take up to a year. You바카라 사이트檒l be sent the records either by post or email depending on which service you applied to.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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