Emergency Requests
How to tell us the nature of the emergency:
Online via eVetRecs:
- You can now submit your emergency requests online via our eVetRecs web portal. Please select "Emergency Request" in the drop down menu under "Which of these categories best describes why you're requesting the records?" within the Veteran Service Details page.
- If you require assistance submitting your request, you may telephone the NPRC Customer Service Line (this is a long-distance call for most customers): 314-801-0800*. Our peak calling times are weekdays between 10:00 a.m. CT and 3:00 p.m. CT. Staff is available to take your call as early as 7:00 a.m. and as late as 5:00 p.m. CT.
*Due to the large number of calls we receive at this number, hold times are often long. However, once you reach a technician, they will be happy to assist you with emergency service.
For Burial Requests at a Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery:
- If your burial request involves interment at a Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery, please contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117 or visit the National Cemetery Administration website. They will contact us, and we work directly with the Veterans Affairs staff to obtain records to verify service for burial benefits.
- If the veteran will not be interred at a National Cemetery, the requester may fax the SF-180 (including signature of the next of kin and proof of death) to the Customer Service Team at 314-801-0764.
NOTE: The 1973 Fire at the National Personnel Records Center damaged or destroyed 16-18 million Army and Air Force records that documented the service history of former military personnel discharged from 1912-1964.
- Although the information in many of these primary source records was either badly damaged or completely destroyed, often alternate record sources can be used to reconstruct the service of the veterans impacted by the fire.
- Sometimes we are able to fulfill the request promptly, using alternate records that are in our holdings. At other times, we must request information from other agencies to gather the records, and in those cases, it may take longer to complete the work.