In my last post I covered the DD Form 214, the report of separation, which every veteran gets when they retire or separate from the military. If you’re applying for VA benefits—including VA loans—you can’t move forward until you can supply the DD Form 214.
Part of the reason for that is that many benefits from the VA are contingent on the nature of a veteran’s discharge. The VA requirements for a VA loan include showing proof via the DD214 that the vet got a discharge not classified as dishonorable.
If a veteran sends his or her original DD Form 214 in to the VA as part of a VA home loan application for eligibility, they should request a replacement DD214 right away. If a vet has no additional copies of the DD Form 214, chances are they won’t be able to apply for other VA benefits until they can get a copy.
Fortunately the National Archives in St. Louis can supply a replacement copy within about six weeks (depending on work volume). The veteran must request a copy by contacting the National Archive. You can call 314-801-0800 (not a free call) or visit the offical site and fill out the online form.
The National Archives official site says vets facing tight deadlines for VA paperwork requiring the replacement DD Form 214 should mention those deadlines in the request for a replacement. There is no guarantee the replacement will be processed any faster, but when possible an expedited request may be given precedent. The government does try to speed things along in these cases when circumstances permit.
If a veteran is applying for VA loan eligibility but can’t locate their DD Form 214, they should request a replacement copy right away but should not submit paperwork to the Department of Veterans Affairs until the new DD Form 214 arrives—the VA can’t do anything with loan paperwork without the DD214.
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