Request military records and service files

Request military service records, medical and dental records, birth certificates, or proof of citizenship for military members and children of military members born on a military base out of Canada.

On this page

Request military records from the Department of National Defence

National Defence (DND) holds the military service records for:

This includes members who are currently serving, were released from service, or died in that time.

Request records online through a DND Access to Information request.

Or, request service records by mail:

Director Access to Information and Privacy
National Defence Headquarters
Major-general George R. Pearkes Bldg
101 Colonel By Dr
Ottawa ON K1A 0K2

Request military records from Library and Archives Canada

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) holds the military service records for:

Request records online through a LAC Access to Information request.

Or, request records by mail:

Access to information and privacy
Library and Archives Canada
550 de la Cité Boulevard
Gatineau QC J8T 0A7

Birth certificates

If you wish to obtain a copy of your birth certificate, submit a request to Library and Archives Canada for your mother or father’s military records. When you were born, your birth certificate would have been added to your parent’s personal file(s) to commence benefits.

Proof of citizenship

If you were born at a military base outside of Canada and need proof of Canadian citizenship, you must submit an application for a Canadian citizenship certificate through Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

If you were born at a military base outside of Canada between 1963 and 1979, you may have been issued a birth certificate from the Department of National Defence, called a DND 419. These certificates are not accepted as proof of citizenship.

Note: Proof of your parent’s service abroad at the time of your birth may be required to issue a Canadian citizenship certificate.

Page details

Date modified: