How to Obtain a Military Arrest Record

Military personnel records are restricted to protect the privacy of veterans and service members. Generally, only a veteran or the next-of-kin of a deceased veteran can gain access to their entire file. However, criminal proceedings in the military are public information that you can request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Additional records may be available if the veteran was in the service prior to World War I.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceUSA.GOVOfficial website for the United States federal governmentGo to source}

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Requesting Records with Consent

1
Access your own records online using eVetRecs. If you're looking for your own military records, you can use the online service provided by the National Archives. You must have a computer connected to a printer if you want to print copies of the records you request.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Go to https://vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.html to access the system and follow the prompts to order the record you want.
- If you are the next-of-kin of a deceased veteran, you can also order their records using this service.
Tip: You are considered the next-of-kin of a deceased veteran if you are their un-remarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother, or sister.
2
Get a signed authorization from the veteran or next-of-kin. Even if you aren't considered next-of-kin, you can still get the complete military record of a veteran if you have their permission. Along with your request, include a written authorization, signed and dated by the veteran or next-of-kin, that specifies what information can be released to you.^{[3]XResearch source}
- There's no specific form the veteran or next-of-kin would need to fill out to provide an authorization. You can look at a sample acceptable authorization at https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/sample-authorization.
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3
Gather information about the veteran or service member whose record you need. You must provide basic information about the veteran so the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) can locate the appropriate records. You'll need this information even if you are the next-of-kin to a deceased veteran. Generally, you'll want to provide as much information as you have. However, at a minimum, you'll need the veteran's:^{[4]XResearch source}
- Complete name they used while in the service
- Service number
- Social Security number
- Branch of service
- Dates of service
- Date and place of birth (this is especially important if you don't know their service number)
4
Download and fill out Standard Form (SF) 180. SF-180 is the form used to request military personnel records if you are the next-of-kin or have authorization from the veteran or their next-of-kin. The form requires information about the veteran whose records you want.^{[5]XResearch source}
- You can download the form at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html.
- Although not required, you may also state the reason you want the record on the form. This information may help the NPRC comply with your request.
Tip: You can also get a paper copy of SF-180 from the Department of Defense, Federal Information Centers, your local Veterans Administration office, or veterans service organizations.
5
Note if your request is urgent or subject to a hard deadline. It may take more than 90 days for the NPRC to respond to your request. However, if you need the records by a specific date, you can include this information on your SF-180 form. The NPRC tries to comply with urgent requests within 2 business days, and sometimes can fulfill your request on the same day.^{[6]XResearch source}
- If your request is urgent, fax your SF-180 form to the NPRC Customer Service Team at (314) 801-0764 rather than mailing it.
6
Mail your SF-180 form to the NPRC. Once you've completed the form, mail it along with your authorization letter (if required) to National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138. There typically is no charge for copies of records from the NPRC. In the rare case a fee is assessed, the NPRC will contact you before sending your copies to let you know.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Most, but not all, military records are housed at the NPRC. There is a chart on your SF-180 form that lists addresses for records that are not housed at the NPRC. Check the chart and make sure the records you want don't fit into any of those categories.
- Make a copy of your form (and authorization, if required) for your records before you mail it. Use certified mail with return receipt requested so you'll know when your request is received.
7
Wait to receive the records you requested. Unless you noted an urgent request, it may take several months for your request to be processed and records sent to you. Requests for older records or records that require reconstruction may take as long as 6 months to complete.^{[8]XResearch source}
- If you wait 10 days after your request has been received, you can check the status of your request. Use the online form available at https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/forms, or by calling a customer service representative at (314) 801-0800 or toll-free at 1-866-272-6272. Phone lines are open between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Submitting a FOIA Request

1
Review the information available under the FOIA. Certain military information is available to the general public without the consent of either the veteran or the deceased veteran's next of kin. However, before you submit a FOIA request, you should make sure you'll be able to get the information you need.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Transcripts of courts-martial trials are available under the FOIA. However, you would be unlikely to get any information about a military arrest that did not lead to a court-martial.
- You can also find out the veteran's final rank, final duty status, and any awards or decorations that veteran was eligible for. Being eligible, however, doesn't mean that veteran received that particular award or decoration.
2
Draft a written letter requesting records under the FOIA. A request for records under the FOIA must be made in writing. While there's not a specific form to use, you can find sample FOIA letters online and adapt them to meet your needs. Do a search for "FOIA request letter" to bring up examples.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Type your letter in business letter format. Your word processing app will likely have a template you can use.
- Your letter can be brief. All it really needs to say is that you're making a request pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act and list the records that you want. Include the veteran's name and any other information you have about their service.
3
Mail your letter to the appropriate FOIA section address. When you've finished your letter, print and sign it. Then make a copy for your own records. Mail the letter using certified mail with return receipt requested so you'll be notified when your request is received. Each branch of the military has its own FOIA section.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Defense Security Service: Defense Security Service (DSS), Office of FOIA and Privacy, 27130 Telegraph Rd., Quantico, VA 22134
- Air Force: HQ AFOSI/XILI, Attn: FOIA Section, 27130 Telegraph Rd., Quantico, VA 22134
- Army: U.S. Army Crime Records Center, Attn: CICR-FP, Russell Knox Building, 27130 Telegraph Rd., Quantico, VA 22134-2253
- Navy/Marine Corps: Naval Criminal Investigative Services, Attn: Code OOLJF, 27130 Telegraph Rd., Quantico, VA 22134-2253
- Coast Guard: Commandant CG-611, Attn: FOIA Officer, US Coast Guard Stop 7710, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC 20593-7710
Tip: The Coast Guard may require your request to be notarized. Call 202-372-2702 to make sure.
4
Send a separate letter to the appropriate court clerk for court-martial transcripts. Court-martial transcripts are kept by the military clerk of court. Each branch of the service has its own court system. If you believe the veteran was court-martialed, you can make a FOIA request for the complete transcript of the proceeding by writing to the clerk of court for that branch of the service.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Air Force: AFLOA/JAJM, 1500 West Perimeter Rd., Suite 1130, Joint Base Andrews, MD 20762
- Army: Office of the Clerk of Court, U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, Attn: JALS-CCX, 9275 Gunston Rd., Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
- Navy/Marines: Office of the Judge Advocate General, Criminal Law Division (Code 20), Office of the Judge Advocate General, 1254 Charles Morris Street SE, Suite B-01, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5124
- Coast Guard: CGHQ, Attn: CG-0946, 2100 Second St., SW, Washington, DC 20593
5
Wait for a response from the FOIA section or court clerk. The FOIA section or court clerk is legally required to respond to your request within 20 business days. However, this initial response typically is just to let you know that they need more time to process your request.^{[13]XResearch source}
- It can sometimes take months to get records through a FOIA request, especially if you've asked for a courts-martial transcript.
- When records are produced, you usually will have to pay for the copies. You'll get a letter from the FOIA section or court clerk letting you know how much those copies will cost and what methods of payment are accepted.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Accessing Archival Records

1
Collect all available information about the record you want. If you want records for a veteran who served before World War I, you'll have to research the records yourself. The more information you have about the veteran, the better your chances of finding the records you want.^{[14]XTrustworthy SourceUSA.GOVOfficial website for the United States federal governmentGo to source}
- At a minimum, you'll need basic biographical information, including the name of the veteran when they served in the armed forces. If the veteran has a relatively common name, you may need additional information, such as their date and place of birth, to ensure that you've found the right records.
2
Create an account with The National Archives to research and order records online. Go to https://eservices.archives.gov/ to search the archives for pre-World War I military records. Before you start your search, click the "New User" link in the User Login box to choose a username and password for your account. You must have a valid email address.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Once you've set up your account, you can search digital records. When you find the records you want, you can order them online.
- You'll have to pay a fee for digital reproductions of records you order. The fee varies depending on the records you order. If you order a complete military file, the fee typically will be less than $100.
- You can order paper or digital records. If you choose electronic transfer, a link will be emailed to you that you can use to download your records. The link will only be valid for 30 days.
Tip: Depending on how old the records are, it may take anywhere from 1 to 4 months for your records to be available. You can track your order online through your National Archives account.
3
Fill out NATS Form 86 to order records through the mail. If you prefer to order records through the mail, download NATS Form 86 at https://www.archives.gov/files/forms/pdf/natf-86.pdf and follow the instructions to complete it. Provide as much information as possible to ensure you get the records you need.^{[16]XResearch source}
- You must include a credit card number on your form. Your credit card will be charged the fees you owe for the records produced. Use a separate form for each separate request. Do not include multiple record requests on the same form, even if they're related to the same veteran.
- If you send in the paper form it will probably take longer to get your records than it would if you ordered them online. Additionally, you have no guarantee that you'll get the records you need.
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Tips

A devastating fire at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973 wiped out 16-18 million military service records. Duplicate copies of these records were not kept, but basic service information has been reconstructed from auxiliary records. If you think the record you may be looking for may have been involved in the fire, note this on your request form.^{[17]XResearch source}
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Warnings

This article discusses how to get military arrest records in the US. If you live in another country, the process will likely be different. Reach out to your country's military records department for more information.
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