Apply for your own records

You can apply for your records if you are, or have been, a member of the armed forces. For example, the: Royal Navy (including Royal Marines) British Army Royal Air Force You’ll need proof of your identity, such as a passport or driving licence - and proof of address. If your application is urgent, explain why in your form or a letter, so it can be prioritised. For example, you need the records for legal or medical reasons. You can only use this service to request someone else’s records if you have permission to act on their behalf. You’ll need proof, for example, a lasting power of attorney or a letter from the person giving you permission. There’s no fee. If you’ve left the armed forces Use the online service to request your personal information from the Ministry of Defence . If you’re still in the armed forces or cannot apply online Fill in a subject access request form and send it to the address on the form, along with any supporting documents.

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 Royal Air Force ( RAF ) It also holds records for: British Army personnel below the rank of officer who were discharged before 1964 Home Guard Request a Freedom of Information (FOI) search from The National Archives to get these records. There may be a fee. If there is, you’ll be quoted a search cost. Apply for records held by the MOD You can apply for a copy of a deceased person’s records of service if they’re not held by TNA and that person was in the: Royal Navy (including Royal Marines) British Army Royal Air Force ( RAF ) What information you’ll 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 someone’s military service. How to apply You can apply online or by post. There’s no fee. You’ll need to provide the person’s: 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 you’re 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, they’ll send it to you. If they do not, you’ll be told to check The National Archives. Start now Apply by post Download and fill in a request for information form . Download and fill in a search form . The form you need depends on which military service the person was in. Send both forms and any supporting documents (for example, a death certificate) to the address on the search form. After you’ve applied The relevant military service will confirm they’ve received your application. The search can take up to a year. You’ll be sent the records either by post or email depending on which service you applied to.

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 Compliance team cio-foi@mod.gov.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 records of service

Overview

You can apply for either:

your own records of service if you are, or have been, a member of the armed forces
the records of a deceased serviceperson

How long it takes

It can take up to a year for your application to be processed.

Other ways to find records of service

You can also search the:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Armed Forces Memorial roll of honour
The National Archives

View a printable version of the whole guide

Get a copy of military records of service

Overview

How long it takes

Other ways to find records of service

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Get a copy of military records of service

Overview

How long it takes

Other ways to find records of service

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Help us improve GOV.UK