The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) encourages veterans who need assistance with locating their lost DD Form 214 (DD-214) and other military documents to contact the DMVA so they can get credit for time served and receive veteran benefits they have earned.

The DD-214 is a Department of Defense document issued upon a service member's retirement, separation, or discharge from active duty in the U.S. armed forces. It contains information needed to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment, and membership in veterans' organizations. Without this key document, a veteran could experience significant delays when seeking benefits earned through his or her military service.

The DMVA can also assist with locating the DD-215, which is used to correct errors or make additions to a DD-214, helping to ensure that veterans have accurate discharge documentation.

Over the past fiscal year, the DMVA has responded to total of 790 requests and nearly 1,100 phone calls for assistance with finding military records.

The easiest way to manage military documents and avoid having to frantically search for them is to make sure they are filed in a safe place immediately upon leaving the military. The DD-214 can be filed at one's county courthouse.

Anyone needing assistance from the DMVA to locate a DD-214 or DD-215 or other military documentation may call 800-547-2838 or email RA-REQ@pa.gov. More information can also be found at http://www.dmva.pa.gov/Veterans/HowToGetAssistance/Pages/RecordsRequests.aspx.

Veterans, family members, and people who work with veterans may sign up for the DMVA's Veterans Registry by visiting http://www.register.dmva.pa.gov.