- Consent/Authorization from the Individual to whom the records pertain or his/her legal representative
- Letter from Requester
- Information to Conduct a Search
- Proof of Legal Representation (if applicable)
- Proof of Death (If applicable)
LETTER FROM REQUESTER
- Records/information you are requesting must match what is listed on the consent/authorization. If it does not match, we will only release what is authorized by the Individual to whom the records pertain.
- Must contain the date, your signature and contact information (email, phone number)
- If you are an attorney or representative of a business/organization, your request must be on official letterhead.
INFORMATION TO CONDUCT A SEARCH
Full social security number of Individual to whom the records pertain
​Description of requested records
- Be as specific as possible
- Name of document, report, or information
- Form number (if known)
- DO NOT use ‘any and/or all…information’, dates of birth, enlistment or separation, etc.; these are not a searchable parameters
Search Period
- Start Date (Month/Year) AND End Date (Month/Year)
- DO NOT use parameters such as date of birth, enlistment/separation date, start of employment, etc.
Status of the Individual to whom the records pertain for the requested period(s)
- Federal Civilian Employee
- Military Service Member
If Individual is/was a
Federal Civilian Employee, list:
- Name of agency or agencies for which the Individual works/worked
- Dates of employment for each agency (if known)
If Individual is/was a
Military Service Member, list:
- Branch of Service – Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force
- Component – Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Military Academy
- If individual served in multiple branches/components, list each service period
- DFAS does not maintain any records for the Coast Guard
If requesting Army Reserve or Army National Guard information that is dated
prior to 1976, we also require:
- Name(s) of the Major Command(s) the Individual was assigned to during the requested period(s)
- Name(s) of the Unit(s) of Assignment for each command
- City/State for each Unit of Assignment
- Dates the Individual served in each Unit
PROOF OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION
If the Individual to whom the records pertain is incapacitated and/or you are claiming
Legal Representative status, we require
1 of the below documents as Proof of Guardianship:
- Court Appointment Documentation
- Power of Attorney
PROOF OF DEATH
If Individual to whom the records pertain is deceased, we require one (
1) of the below documents as Proof of Death:
- Certificate of Death
- Coroner’s Report of Death
- Funeral Director’s Signed Statement of Death
- Verdict of Coroner’s Jury
DO NOT FORWARD YOUR REQUEST UNTIL YOU HAVE ALL THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS |
Email
dfas.foia@mail.mil and Fax
(317) 275-0391 are the preferred submission methods.
You may also submit
Online or mail your request to the address below.
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Corporate Communications – FOIA/PA
8899 East 56th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46249-0150
Page Updated February 13, 2024