How to Obtain Your Military Medical Records

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 25, 2021 References

When you're in the military, the military usually takes care of your medical needs for you. But what if you need a copy of your records? You might run into this situation if you're deployed, have a permanent change of station, or retire. Fortunately, the process of getting your military medical records is usually simple and straightforward. While specific procedures vary depending on who has the records, typically all you need to do is fill out and sign a brief form.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
From Military Hospitals and Clinics

Use this option if you are a current service member and have been treated at a military hospital or clinic, or a former service member whose last appointment was less than 2 years ago.^{[2]
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1
Fill out DD Form 2870. Download the form at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd2870.pdf. You can either type your information on your computer or print it out and write your information by hand.^{[3]
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- Enter your name, date of birth, and Social Security number, as well as the dates you received treatment. Indicate whether the treatment was outpatient, inpatient, or both.
- In the disclosure section, enter your own name and contact information since you're requesting the records for yourself.
- Read the authorization, then sign and date your form. The hospital or clinic can't process your request without a signature.
2
Send your form to the hospital or clinic where you received treatment. Contact the hospital or clinic or check their website to get contact information for the records office in that facility. Typically, you can mail or fax your request. You might also be able to take it in person, if you happen to live near the facility.^{[4]
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- If you take your request in person, you might be able to get your records faster. However, it still might take a couple of days to get your records together. Staff in the records office will let you know when you can expect them.
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3
Wait for your records or a response from the hospital or clinic. If the hospital or clinic has your records, they will make copies and send them to you after your request is received. If they don't have your records, they'll send you a letter and let you know where to get copies of your records.^{[5]
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- Different facilities keep records for different lengths of time and some facilities only keep records on-site for a year.
- You can usually expect to receive your records within 30 days of your request unless there is some reason for a delay. If it's going to take longer than 30 days, the facility will send you a letter and let you know.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
From Civilian Healthcare Providers

Use this option if you are a current or former service member who received medical treatment from a civilian healthcare provider.^{[7]
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1
Contact the healthcare provider where you received treatment. Look up the healthcare provider online and check the contact information on their website. There may also be a form on the website that you can use to request your medical records.^{[8]
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- If you end up having to call the healthcare provider, ask to speak to someone in charge of releasing medical records.
- You might also check the website and see if you can create a patient portal, especially if you were treated there recently. Online patient portals typically give you access to at least some of your records.
2
Fill out the provider's record release form. Different healthcare providers have their own authorization forms for releasing medical records, although they all ask for basically the same information. You'll need to provide your name, date of birth, and Social Security number, as well as the dates when you were treated at that facility.^{[9]
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- Because of federal privacy laws, no healthcare provider can release your information without a signed authorization form on record.
3
Pay any fees associated with copying or mailing your records. While your military records are free from the federal government, civilian healthcare providers might charge a fee to copy and mail your records. Unless you are currently serving active duty, you're responsible for these fees.^{[10]
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- Many healthcare providers have online patient portals that will provide you access to at least some, if not all, of your medical records. You can access those portals free of charge and print whatever documents you want a paper copy of.^{[11]
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- Under federal law, healthcare providers are only allowed to charge you a reasonable fee for the cost of making copies and postage for mailing them.
4
Wait to receive your records. Most healthcare providers will mail your records to you within a couple of weeks. Under federal law, however, they must deliver them to you within 30 days or send you a letter explaining the reason for the delay.^{[12]
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- For example, due to the COVID pandemic, some healthcare providers may be backed up with requests. That could cause them to need more time to fulfill your request.
- If your records are older, they may be archived in storage somewhere, which would require more time to get them out and get them copied.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
From the NPRC

Use this option if you are a retired or discharged service member and it's been more than 2 years since your last appointment.^{[13]
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1
Fill out the online request program for the fastest service. Go to https://vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.html and click through the privacy act and paperwork reduction act notices. Then, provide your:^{[14]
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- Complete name as used while you were in the service
- Service number
- Social Security number
- Branch of service
- Dates of service
- Date and place of birth
2
Print, sign, and submit your signature page. When you submit your online request, a signature page shows up. Print that page and sign it to verify that you're the person requesting the records. You can either fax or mail the page to NPRC.^{[15]
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- If you start your request online, NPRC staff can get started on your request before getting your signature page. However, they won't send your records to you until they have a signature page.
3
Mail a paper request form if you can't order online. Download the standard request form at https://www.archives.gov/files/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf. You can either fill out the form on your computer or print it off and print your answers.^{[16]
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- Page 2 of the form includes a list of code numbers depending on the branch you served in and your current status. Mail your form to the address listed for the number that matches you.
- If you want to know for sure when your request was received, use certified mail with return receipt requested.
4
Check the status of your request online. Give the NPRC at least 10 days to process your request. After that, you can check the status of your request on the National Archives/ website.^{[17]
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- You can also call the NPRC's customer service number at 314-801-0000. However, as of September 30, 2020, this number is not staffed. The NPRC closed from March 23 through June 23, 2020, then began a gradual reopening with limited staff.^{[18]
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Warnings

This article discusses how to get your military medical records if you are a member of the US armed forces. Militaries in other countries will have different processes. Talk to your direct report or an administrative officer.

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