{"id":1721,"date":"2010-03-08T00:11:14","date_gmt":"2010-03-08T00:11:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mortgageblogarticles.com\/?p=1721"},"modified":"2010-03-08T00:11:14","modified_gmt":"2010-03-08T00:11:14","slug":"what-if-i-cant-find-my-dd-214-form","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev203k.orbitwebx.com\/dev203k\/what-if-i-cant-find-my-dd-214-form\/","title":{"rendered":"The DD 214 Form and Your VA Mortgage Loan"},"content":{"rendered":"

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It’s not uncommon to misplace your DD 214 form.\u00a0 This happens all the time but when applying for a VA Mortgage <\/a>you will need a copy.\u00a0 The good news is that losing or misplacing your DD 214 is an easily remedied problem!<\/p>\n

For starters, let\u2019s go ahead and define what a DD 214 is and what it is used for:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A DD 214 (short for Defense Department 214) form is issued to military members upon retirement, separation, or discharge from active duty. Also called a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,\u00a0this paperwork lists the details of the veteran\u2019s status during the time they changed to inactive and if they left honorably or dishonorably.<\/p>\n

DD 214 forms are a vital part of getting a VA loan for those applicants who are no longer in the military. They are required by the federal government in order to prove your qualification.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Remember that a Certificate of Release is not just for getting approved for a VA loan, so it\u2019s generally a good idea to have yours accessible. You can use this paperwork to qualify for a variety of additional veteran benefits.<\/p>\n

There are different ways you can acquire this paperwork:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Veterans receive a copy of their DD 214 when they leave active duty. They get their form regardless of the circumstances behind their leaving.<\/li>\n
  2. If you are a spouse (note: you can\u2019t be re-married), a parent, or a child or sibling of a veteran, you can get a copy of from either the National Archives<\/a> or the U.S. Department of Defense.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If you did receive your DD 214 when you left active duty but have misplaced or lost it, you can also get a copy of it through the National Archives or the U.S. Department of Defense.<\/p>\n

    For veterans, Certificate of Release copies are typically free of charge, although spouses and family might have to pay a nominal fee.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    To request a copy, you will first need to fill out Standard Form 180 (also known as SF 180). You can download a copy of it HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    After you have filled out both sides of SF 180 you can then either fax or mail it to the address listed on the bottom. Simple enough!<\/p>\n

    Once you have you DD 214, be sure to confirm that it has the following information:<\/strong><\/p>\n