The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) is one of the National Archives and Records Administration's (NARA) largest operations. We are the central repository of personnel-related records for both the military and civil services of the United States Government. Our mission is to provide world class service to government agencies, military veterans and their family members, former civilian Federal employees, and the general public.
The NPRC, as it exists today, is the product of several previous operations. Today's organization is the embodiment of NARA's policy that places all inactive Federal personnel records, both military and civilian, in the custody of a single administrative unit. The history of the NPRC is a rich and varied story whose roots are interwoven in the fabric of the post-World War II American Experience.
| ARCHIVAL RECORDS | FEDERAL RECORDS |
|---|---|
| Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) from all service branches for veterans with a discharge date 62 (or more) years ago* | Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) from all service branches for veterans with a discharge date less than 62 years ago* |
| Records of Persons of Exceptional Prominence (PEP): military personnel files of Presidents, members of Congress and the Supreme Court; famous military leaders; decorated heroes; celebrities; and other cultural figures who served in the military | Military health and medical records of discharged and deceased veterans, retirees and military family members treated at military service medical facilities |
| Official Personnel Folders (OPF) of former Federal civil servants whose employment ended prior to 1952 | Official Personnel Folders (OPF) of former Federal civil servants whose employment ended after 1951 |
| Organizational, Auxiliary and Other records pertaining to individual military and civilian service with the government of the United States - includes Selective Service Records | Employee Medical Folders (EMF) of former Federal civilian employees |
* Military personnel records are open to the public 62 years after the service member's separation from the military. (To calculate this, take the current year and subtract 62.) Records of any veteran who separated from the military 62 (or more) years ago can be ordered by anyone for a copying fee. Non-archival records are subject to access restrictions.
National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138
Telephone: 314-801-0800
Fax: 314-801-9195
If you live in a community that was impacted by a natural disaster and need priority service to replace a Separation Document (usually DD Form 214 or equivalent), place the word “Natural Disaster” in the "Comments" section of eVetRecs or in the "Purpose" section of the Standard Form (SF) 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records.
This page was last reviewed on December 18, 2023.
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