Apply for or replace a medal or veterans badge

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Apply for a medal

You can apply if you were awarded a medal for regular or reserve service in any of the following:

  • Royal Navy or Royal Marines
  • British Army
  • Royal Air Force (RAF)
  • Home Guard
  • Ministry of Defence (MOD)

You cannot apply if you served only in the cadet forces – contact cadet headquarters to apply.

You can also apply for someone else’s medal if:

  • you have a lasting power of attorney (LPA) for them
  • they have died and the MOD recognises you as their next of kin

If your medal has been stolen or destroyed, you can apply to replace a medal.

Which medals you can apply for

Find out the types of medal the MOD issues.

You can only apply for World War 1 medals if the original was returned and there’s a record of this in the National Archives. If you’re eligible to apply, you’ll need to download a medal application form, complete it and send it in by post.

What you’ll need

You’ll need details of your service including the dates you served. You may also need to provide evidence for RAF campaign medals, such as flight logs.

If you worked in support of the armed forces – for example, with the Ministry of Defence – you’ll need to provide your National Insurance number.

If you’re applying for someone else’s medal

You can apply on behalf of someone else if you have a lasting power of attorney. You’ll need digital evidence, for example a scan or photo of the LPA.

If the person has died, you’ll need:

  • a copy of their death certificate - unless they died in service or were born more than 116 years ago
  • details of their career, including service dates
  • to be their next of kin, as recognised by the MOD

You can only claim medals awarded to someone who has died if the MOD recognises you as their next of kin.

This is the spouse or civil partner, followed by the eldest child. If there’s no spouse or child, the eldest grandchild can apply.

If there’s no spouse, child or grandchild, the following order of eldest living relatives applies:

  • parent
  • sibling
  • niece or nephew
  • half-brother or half-sister
  • half-niece or half-nephew
  • grandparent
  • aunt or uncle
  • cousin
  • half-aunt or half-uncle
  • half-cousin

How to apply

It usually takes about 15 minutes to apply.

To apply online, you’ll need to prove your identity using GOV.UK One Login.

You’ll be able to create a GOV.UK One Login if you do not already have one.

To do this, you’ll need:

  • an email address
  • photo ID - for example, a UK passport or driving licence

Apply online

You can also download a medal application form and send it in by post.

If you’re still serving, apply through your unit’s HR department.

After you’ve applied

We’ll process your application within 16 weeks. You’ll usually receive your medals in this time, but some applications take longer based on the information you provide.

You’ll be asked to confirm you’ve received your medal.

Get help

If you need help with your application, email dbs-medals@mod.gov.uk.

Help from Veterans UK

Get help if you do not:

  • feel confident using a computer or mobile device
  • have internet access
  • have access to a device, such as a laptop or smartphone

Veterans UK
Email: veterans-uk@mod.gov.uk
Freephone (UK only): 0808 1914 218
Telephone (overseas): +44 1253 866 043
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

View a printable version of the whole guide

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