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
Military service records
Military service records are held by either the Department of National Defence (DND) or Library and Archives Canada (LAC) depending on when the member served.
World War One
You can search an online database of personnel records, or service files, for those who served in:
- Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF)
- Non-permanent active militia
- Royal Newfoundland Regiment and Newfoundland Forestry Corps
- Rejected Valcartier files
- Imperial Gratuities Files.
World War Two
You can search an online database of service files for Canadian Armed Forces members who between 1939-1947:
- were killed in action
- died as a result of accident, illness or injury while in service
- died in 1946 or 1947 of injuries related to service
If someone survived the war, you will need to make an Access to Information (ATIP) request through LAC for their service files.
Regular Force
Before 1998
If the CAF member served in the Regular Force before 1998, you can request their military service records from Library and Archives Canada (LAC) through a LAC Access to Information (ATIP) request.
After 1998 to present
If the CAF member service in the Regular Force from 1998 to present, you can request these military service records from Department of National Defence (DND) through an Access to Information (ATIP) request
Or 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
Reserve Force
Before March 2008
If the CAF member served in the Reserve Force before March 2008, you can request their military service records from Library and Archives Canada (LAC) through a LAC Access to Information (ATIP) request.
After March 2008 to present
If the CAF member service in the Regular Force from March 2008 to present, you can request these military service records from Department of National Defence (DND) through a Access to Information (ATIP) request.
Or 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
Military health records
As a CAF member, your military health records are available from the clinic, Department of National Defence (DND) or Library and Archives Canada (LAC) depending on when you served.
Currently serving or released less than one year ago
CAF members currently serving or released up to 1 year can request a copy of their personal health information from CAF health records. They can contact the clinic medical records section and / or dental clinics directly. A DND 4794 (Accessible only on the National Defence network) - Informal Request for Copies of One’s Own Personal Health Information (PHI) from CAF Health Records can be used to submit the request.
Released over a year ago
Military health records may be held by either DND or LAC. Contact RDT-DM@forces.gc.ca to request a copy. A DND 4794 (Accessible only on the National Defence network) Informal Request for Copies of One’s Own Personal Health Information (PHI) from CAF Health Records can be used to submit the request. They will either provide your health records from DND, or redirect your request if your records are held by LAC.
Birth certificate
If you wish to obtain a copy of your birth certificate, submit a Privacy request to Library and Archives Canada for your mother or father’s military records. When you were born, your birth certificate may have been added to your parent’s personnel file(s) to commence benefits.
You can find the right ATIP request form with this guided tool. Select “Military personnel documents” then “Your own records” then “You were released from service more than 5 years ago”. You will be able to submit your request online.
Or:
If you are unable to submit a request online, you can complete Personal Information Request Form (PDF, 219 KB) (Privacy Act) and submit your request by email or regular mail:
Email
daiprp-atipd@bac-lac.gc.ca
Mail
Library and Archives Canada
Access to Information and Privacy Branch
550 de la Cité boulevard
Gatineau (Quebec) J8T 0A7
Canada
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.