How to Fax an SF-180 Military Records Request to the NPRC
Updated October 2026
You need a veteran's military records and the form is a Standard Form 180. You can fax a signed SF-180 to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) at 314-801-9195 for $1.00.
If the records are needed for a burial, there is a separate emergency fax number. This guide covers both numbers, the signature rule that trips people up, the online route, and what to put on each page.
Quick answer: Fax the signed and dated SF-180 to the NPRC at 314-801-9195. For an emergency burial outside a VA National Cemetery, fax it to the Customer Service Team at 314-801-0764 with the next of kin's signature and proof of death. It costs $1.00 for up to 10 pages. You can also request records online through eVetRecs at vetrecs.archives.gov.
In this guide
Where to Fax an SF-180
The National Archives says to fax a Standard Form 180 to 314-801-9195, the National Personnel Records Center. On our site, type the 10-digit number 3148019195. The +1 is already added, so do not type a leading 1.
If you would rather mail it, the address is 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138, or the address listed in the table on page 3 of the form for the kind of record you need. Check that table to see which address applies to the record you need.
For questions about a request, the NPRC phone number is 314-801-0800.
The Signature Rule: Signed and Dated Within the Last Year
The request must be signed and dated by the veteran or by the next of kin, and the date must be within the last year. An SF-180 you filled out two years ago and never sent needs a fresh signature and a fresh date.
Sign the form by hand, then scan or photograph it. If you are next of kin requesting a deceased veteran's records, sign as next of kin and include what the form asks you to include. Our estate documents guide covers the other paperwork families often fax after a death.
Emergency Burial Requests
When records are needed for a burial, timing matters. The NPRC handles these in two ways:
- Burial outside a VA National Cemetery: fax the SF-180 to the Customer Service Team at 314-801-0764. Include the next of kin's signature and proof of death.
- Burial at a VA National Cemetery: call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117. Do not fax the NPRC for this.
Emergency requests can also go online through eVetRecs. Write "EMERGENCY BURIAL REQUEST" and the date of the funeral on the cover page so it is clear at a glance what this is.
Request Records Online with eVetRecs
eVetRecs at vetrecs.archives.gov is the online way to request military records. Your identity is verified through ID.me. If you already have an ID.me login, this skips the paper form entirely.
Fax is the better choice when you have a signed paper SF-180 in hand, when the person who must sign does not want to set up an ID.me account, or when you want a dated record of exactly when the request was sent.
What to Put on the Cover Page and Each Page
The cover page should say: "SF-180 request for military records," the veteran's full name as used in service, your name and relationship to the veteran, your phone number, and the page count. Write the veteran's name at the top of each page in case a page gets separated.
An SF-180 plus a cover page is a few pages. Add proof of death for a burial request and it is still well under 10 pages, so it costs $1.00. Up to 10 pages is $1.00, 11 to 25 pages is $1.99, and 26 to 50 pages is $2.99.
Once you have the records, our VA fax guide covers sending service records on to the VA for a claim.
How to Send It for $1.00
- Sign and date the SF-180, then scan or photograph every page into one PDF.
- Go to FaxForADollar.com and upload the file.
- Type 3148019195 (or 3148010764 for an emergency burial request). Ten digits, no leading 1.
- Pay $1.00. No account and nothing to cancel.
It is usually delivered within a few minutes. Nothing is printed on your document. You get a confirmation email with the destination number, page count and time (Eastern Time), which is your record of exactly when it was sent. If the fax fails, the money goes back to your card automatically.
If you want any reply by fax, our sister service GetAFax.com gives you a US fax number for 24 hours for $5, up to 30 pages, delivered to your email. Faxing from a phone? See our iPhone guide or Android guide.
Why send it here
One dollar for up to 10 pages to any US or Canada number, shown before you pay, nothing added at checkout.
Nothing is printed on your document. It arrives exactly as you uploaded it.
If it cannot be delivered, the money goes back to your card without you asking.
No account, no subscription, nothing that renews. Send once and you are done.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fax an SF-180?
Is there a free way to request military records instead of faxing the SF-180?
Can I fax an SF-180 to the National Personnel Records Center?
my dad passed and the funeral home needs his military records fast, where do I fax the SF-180?
Who can sign an SF-180 military records request?
I filled out my SF-180 last year and never sent it, can I fax it now?
Should I use eVetRecs or fax the SF-180?
What is the fax number for the NPRC?
What is the NPRC emergency burial fax number?
What is the mailing address for the SF-180?
What should the cover page say when I fax an SF-180?
Will the NPRC fax the military records back to me?
How do I check on my SF-180 after I fax it?
How do I know my SF-180 fax reached the NPRC?
What happens if my SF-180 fax does not go through?
Does anything get stamped on my SF-180 when I fax it?
Can I fax an SF-180 from my phone?
Can a veteran fax an SF-180 for their own service records?
Do I fax the SF-180 to the VA or to the NPRC?
Can a funeral director fax the SF-180 for the family?
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