To obtain copies of military discharge papers, request Standard Form 180 (SF-180) from any office of the Veterans Administration, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or Red Cross or from other veterans associations or military recruiters. You can also download Standard Form 180 from the National Personnel Records Center. Click here to download form SF-180. Send the completed form to:
- National Personnel Records Center
- Military Personnel Records
- 9700 Page Avenue
- St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
The National Personnel Records Center responds only to mailed, faxed, or online requests. Its fax number is 314-801-9195 and its Web address is http://www.archives.gov/research_room/vetrecs.
If your papers were recorded in the office of your county clerk at the time of your discharge, you can also contact that office directly for copies.
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Lesson Contents
I. Introduction
II. How to Get Organized
III. Organize Important Papers
- a. Which Papers to Keep
- b. Where to Keep Papers
- c. How Long to Keep Papers
- d. When to Update Papers
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e. How to Replace Papers
- e.1. Birth and death certificate
- e.2. Citizenship and naturalization papers
- e.3. Driver’s license
- e.4. Federal income tax return
- e.5. Insurance policies
- e.6. Marriage licenses, marriage dissolutions, adoption decrees
- e.7. Military discharge papers
- e.8. Passport
- e.9. Property deeds
- e.10. Savings bonds and notes
- e.11. Social Security card
- e.12. Vehicle title
- e.13. Will
Organize Your Important Household Papers belongs to a series called Legally Secure Your Financial Future. The series also includes information to help you communicate with others and begin preparing your estate plan.