• WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN ORDERING A DD214

  
   
• First  see what  www.militaryrecords.com   has to say about ordering a DD214
   
• Don’t get scammed. UPDATE Recently there have been companies advertising overnight delivery on all records. They mention in the small text “they can’t actually guarrantee a delivery date.” Don’t let some company tie up your records without delivering. We have obtained more DD214s then all other companies combined.  Call us at 888 66 DD214 for details.
• There are several companies that you can choose from to obtain your DD214. We go get your record from the Records Center. We can get some in 1 day most take a week. We guarantee delivery.  Most companies JUST FAX YOUR REQUEST BACK TO YOU to sign, they then provide you instructions that tell you where you can mail your form, or they fax it to the records center  why hire them!.  Another company says  1 week  delivery but wont actually guarantee delivery, saying it could take over 30 days! Are they really going and getting your record in person? We guarantee delivery.  If a company can’t guarantee delivery, then they aren’t getting your records they are paying someone else. Be careful, of a sliding scale delivery time.  They promise overnight, but then carefully say that they really cant guarantee delivery and will bill you based on how long it takes them to deliver.  If you can afford to wait several weeks, you might as well apply directly to the Government.  Here is how you order free. 
  
  
  Got a question?  Call us 888-66-DD214
   
• Many companies claim to get your record fast.  WE ACTUALLY GO GET YOUR RECORD IN PERSON.  Here is a list of the companies that forward your request to NPRC by FAX or Mail  DD214.org, orderdd214.com, right-to-know.org, militaryrecordsfast.com. Why would you hire them, when you can apply by fax yourself, as they are doing.
  
  We have tested all of these companies and routinely get feedback from people who have used them.  If you are not in a hurry you can do what they are doing for free.  All they are doing is faxing your request you can do that yourself.
  Some advertise that they can get your record fast, however, after they have your money, they say they can’t get your record that fast due to your particular circumstances. DON’T PAY FIRST .  If they don’t actually say they go get your record in person, then they are simply faxing the request in.  One of these companies applies by fax, but has you fill out a release to allow the record to be sent to them.  They then send it to you. This is increasing the time it takes to get to you.  The fact of the matter is that most companies apply for your record by fax not in person. WE DON’T They don’t have any idea how long it will take to get the record, because they are relying on the Gov. to get your record to you. They are just acting as a middleman. We can get some certified records in person in one day, but most take longer. However nobody gets them faster, because we get them in person from the Records Facility.
   
• You cannot obtain or View your DD214 or personnel file or medical records online !!!!
  Neither your DD 214 or your medical records file is a public Record. Recently ancestory.com and others have been advertising under “military records” and DD 214.  The records you are going to obtain from these types of searches, are pre 1900, do not name a specific soldier or give general information such as branch of service. This type of search cannot get a certified DD 214.  The only way you can get your record is to apply to the National Personnel Records Center or the Military if you are on active duty.
   
• If the company you choose doesn’t say how long it takes for you to obtain your record, using their service, it means you are just paying them to fill out a form which they will promptly fax or mail back to you. Most companies advertising to obtain your DD214 are faxing or mailing your request in. This will add weeks to the process. You still need to sign it and mail it to the NPRC.   You can do that yourself for free.  Why pay someone  to fill out a form and mail back to you? 
   
• NO HIDDEN FEES.  One company says “No hidden Fees” but if your record isn’t at the NPRC they charge extra for each place they search.  There are over 160 locations in the US. that your record could be. We charge one fee no matter where the record is located in the US.
   
• You can find other companies that advertise “Get your DD214” on the Internet, but many of them don’t even provide a phone number or address so that you can contact them if there is a problem.
   
• Some advertise “Get your DD214 from the Government”. What does that mean?  In the past it meant they sent you a form after you filled it out on their web site so you can sign it and mail it to the government yourself.   Some of our customers have gone to these companies first, only to find themselves back at square one a week or two later.
   
• Other companies ask you to fill out a form or pay a membership just to get an SF 180.  If you want to apply for free click here and follow the directions.
   
• If a company says they can get your record, but you do not need to sign a form, you should realize that they are either only making a FOIA request which will only produce limited information in a couple of months, or they are going to mail the form to you.
   
• Others don’t explain their service to you. What are they providing?
   
• Another guarantees delivery if the record is at the NPRC.  What if it isn’t?

What should you look for?
 

• What is the name of the company?   Who can  you contact if you have a question?
   
• What is the service they are providing?  Getting the record or just forwarding the application. Will they track it down wherever it is.
   
• Do they have researchers at archives facilities and Records Centers across the US?
   
• When will you get the record?  Approximately how long.
   
• Where are they located?  Mailing address, phone #. Will they give you a refund if they can’t find your record?