You can apply for a medal if you served in the armed forces and are eligible. Find out the types of medal the Ministry of Defence ( MOD ) issues . You can only apply for World War 1 medals if the original was returned. Eligibility You can apply if you were awarded a medal for service in any of the following: the army the Royal Navy the Royal Marines the Royal Air Force ( RAF ) the Home Guard the reserve forces You must meet the eligibility requirements for the medal you’re applying for. If you’re applying for someone else’s medal You can apply on behalf of a veteran if you have lasting power of attorney . If the veteran has died, you must be the official next of kin. The general rules for the official next of kin are: the person’s spouse or civil partner has the first claim to the medal, and then the eldest child if there’s no spouse or child, the parent is entitled to apply if there’s no spouse, child or parent, the eldest grandchild is entitled to apply How to apply Download and fill in the medal application form . Apply through your unit if you’re still serving in the armed forces. If you’re applying on behalf of someone else, you must include a copy of either your lasting power of attorney or a death certificate. Post the form, along with any supporting documents, to the MOD Medal Office - the address is on the form. Do not send the form by email. After you’ve applied You’ll usually get your medal within 12 weeks of sending the application form. You can apply for a replacement medal if the original’s been stolen or accidentally destroyed, for example in a fire. Get help If you need to contact MOD about your medal application, email dbs-medals@mod.gov.uk .

Replace a badge or medal

You can get the first replacement veterans badge for free. You may be able to get a replacement medal - it depends how it was lost. You’ll have to pay for the replacement medal plus a fee. Replace a veterans badge Follow the instructions for applying for a veterans badge - you can use the same form. You’ll usually get your replacement veterans badge within 6 to 8 weeks of applying. You do not have to pay a fee if it’s the first veterans badge you’re replacing. Replace a medal You can only get a replacement medal from the Ministry of Defence ( MOD ) if it was stolen or destroyed, for example in a fire or flood. The medal must have been awarded for service after World War 1. You’ll need to show proof by providing a copy of either a: police crime report successful insurance claim listing the individual items You can also buy replacement medals from a licensed medal dealer. How to apply Download and fill in the medal application form to ask for a replacement medal. Post the form to the MOD Medal Office, along with: a letter explaining how the medal was stolen or destroyed a copy of the police report or insurance claim The address is on the form. Contact your unit’s human resources (HR) department if you’re currently serving in the armed forces. After you’ve applied You’ll get a letter from the Medal Office - usually within 10 working days of when your application’s received. You’ll be told how much the replacement will cost and how to pay if your application’s successful. The cost depends on the type of medal. It includes an administration fee. You’ll get the replacement within 4 weeks from the Medal Office getting your payment.

Apply for a UK merchant seafarers veterans badge

You can apply for a UK merchant seafarers veterans badge if you: were a Merchant Navy seafarer or fisherman served in a vessel used to support the UK Armed Forces If you’re applying on behalf of someone who’s died You can only apply on behalf of a veteran who’s died if you get a War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension . How to apply You can apply for a badge through the Merchant Navy Association . Members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary If you’re a member of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, apply for the armed forces veterans badge .

Apply for a UK merchant navy medal

You can apply for a UK merchant navy medal if you were a member of the merchant navy and you: served in a vessel used to support the UK armed forces meet the eligibility requirements for the medal you’re applying for How to apply Complete the application form and send it to the address on the form. You’ll also need to send your seaman’s discharge book . If you’re applying for someone else’s medal You can apply for someone else if either: they’ve died you have lasting power of attorney You must include a copy of the death certificate or your lasting power of attorney. If the veteran has died, you must be the official next of kin. The general rules are: the person’s spouse or civil partner has first claim to the medal, and then the eldest child if there’s no spouse or child, the eldest grandchild is entitled to apply After you’ve applied You’ll get a decision within 30 working days of your application being received. Get help Email seafarers_registry@mcga.gov.uk if you need help with your application. Replace a lost or stolen medal You’ll need to complete the application form if your medal is lost or has been stolen.

If you want to appeal or complain

You can write to or email the Ministry of Defence ( MOD ) Medal Office if you want to: appeal a decision complain about how you’ve been treated You should include any new evidence you have if you make an appeal. MOD Medal Office Innsworth House Imjin Barracks Gloucester GL3 1HW MOD Medal Office appeals \ dbs-medals@mod.gov.uk MOD Medal Office complaints \ dbs-medals-complaints@mod.gov.uk

Apply for a veterans badge or a medal

Apply for a veterans badge

You can get an armed forces veterans badge if you’ve served in any of the UK armed forces - there’s no fee.

Eligibility

You can apply if you were in the:

army
Royal Navy
Royal Marines
Royal Air Force (RAF)
volunteer or regular reserves

You cannot apply if you:

served in the armed forces of another country
served alongside the UK armed forces, for example in the Canadian Navy or Royal Australian Air Force

If you’re applying on behalf of someone who’s died

You can only apply on behalf of a veteran who’s died if you get either:

a War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension
compensation under the Survivors Guaranteed Income Payment (SGIP)

How to apply

Download and fill in the application for an armed forces veterans badge.

You can also call the enquiries line to get a paper application form sent to you.

Medals and veterans badges enquiries
Freephone (UK): 0800 085 3600
Telephone (from overseas): +44 141 224 3600
Find out about call charges

You’ll need to give as much information on the form as possible, such as:

the force you served in, for example the army or Royal Navy
service number
period of service

Post the form to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Medal Office - the address is on the form. Do not send the form by email.

After you’ve applied

You’ll usually get your veterans badge within 6 to 8 weeks of applying.

You can also apply for a medal if you’re eligible.

If you lose your badge, you can apply for a replacement.

Get help

If you need to contact MOD about your veterans badge application, you can phone, fax or send an email to dbs-modmo-vetsbadge@mod.gov.uk.

You cannot apply for a veterans badge by email.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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