Apply for your own records

You can apply for your own records if you are, or have been, a member of the armed forces, for example the Royal Navy (including Royal Marines), British Army or Royal Air Force. Download and fill in a request for your own records (PDF, 64KB) . Send it to the address on the form, along with any supporting documents. There’s no fee. Use this form if you’re acting on behalf of the person, for example if you have lasting power of attorney .

Apply for the records of someone who's deceased

You can apply for a copy of someone else’s service records if any of the following apply: you’re their immediate next of kin, for example their spouse or parent you’ve got consent from their immediate next of kin you have a general research interest - you’ll only have access to limited information, unless they died more than 25 years ago You need to know the person’s full name, date of birth and service number. Fill in 2 forms - a request form and a search form. Fill in a request form Download and fill in a request form for either: next of kin’s records (PDF, 53KB) - use this form if you’re next of kin or have next of kin’s consent not next of kin’s records (PDF, 46KB) - use this form if you’re not next of kin and don’t have next of kin’s consent Fill in a search form Download and fill in the relevant search form, depending on whether the person was in the: Royal Navy or Royal Marines (PDF, 20KB) British Army (PDF, 20KB) Royal Air Force (PDF, 20KB) Post your forms Send both forms, with the fee of £30 for each separate record, and any supporting documents (for example a death certificate) to the address on the search form. There’s no fee if you were the person’s spouse or civil partner at the time of their death (or their parent, if there was no spouse). You can pay by cheque or postal order - or by banker’s draft or international money order if you’re overseas. Follow the instructions for applying for your own records if you’re acting on behalf of the person, for example you have lasting power of attorney . What information you’ll get Records date from 1920 and may include: surname, first name, 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 - you can only get these 25 years after the date they died, unless you have consent from their next of kin In some cases little or no information is available about someone’s military service. Your request might be refused if it could harm the security or operations of the armed forces.

If you want to complain

Write to the Ministry of Defence ( MOD ) Information Rights team if you want to complain about how your request was handled. MOD Information Rights team cio-foi@mod.uk MOD Information Rights team Ground floor, zone D Main Building London SW1A 2HB You can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you’re not happy with how the MOD handled your complaint.

Get a copy of military service records

Overview

You can apply for either:

your own service records if you are, or have been, a member of the armed forces
the records of someone who’s deceased if you’re eligible, for example you’re their immediate next of kin or you’re researching them

How long it takes

It can take several months for your application to be processed.

Your application will be prioritised if it’s urgent.

Other ways to find service records

You can also search:

the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
the Armed Forces Memorial roll of honour
the National Archives for service records from 1913 to 1920 or service records before 1913

Print entire guide

Get a copy of military service records

Overview

How long it takes

Other ways to find service records

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Get a copy of military service records

Overview

How long it takes

Other ways to find service records

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