Get a copy of military records of service
Printable version
1. 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:
2. 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.
3. 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 hold most records of service for those who served in the British Army after World War 1 and were:
- below the rank of officer
- discharged before the end of 1963
Records for all ranks in the Royal Navy (including Royal Marines), British Army and Royal Air Force from before and up to the end of World War 1 are also held by TNA.
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)
- Home Guard
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. For example, Home Guard records may only include their personal details from when they enlisted.
How to apply
You can apply online or by post.
There’s no fee.
You’ll need to provide the person’s:
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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 or Home Guard 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.
Apply by post
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Download and fill in a request for information form. If your request is for a Home Guards record, fill in the Home Guard form only.
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Download and fill in a search form. The form you need depends on which military service the person was in.
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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.
4. 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.