Accessing records: Where to start

First World War

These records are open and digitized. They can be accessed in the Personnel Records of the First World War database.

Second World War

• If the person died during the Second World War: records can be found in the Second World War Service Files – War Dead, 1939 to 1947 database.
• If a person survived the war: information may be protected by the Privacy Act. These records are restricted, so you'll need to make an ATIP request to access this information.

Korean War

These records may be protected by the Privacy Act. You'll need to make an ATIP request to access this information.

Other military personnel files

Depending on when an individual served in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), records may be with Library and Archives Canada or the Department of National Defence.

Records with Library and Archives Canada

Make an ATIP request for records about:

• Regular CAF members before 1998
• Reserve CAF members before March 2008
• Medical or dental records of CAF members released over five years ago
• Newfoundland Militia members in the Second World War (limited number of files available)

Records with the Department of National Defence

• Regular CAF members from 1998 to present
• Reserve CAF members from March 2008 to present
• Army, Sea, and Air Cadet files (see National Defence. Some files may not have been retained)

Records that were not retained

The following records can't be accessed since they were not kept:

• Individuals called up for service during the Second World War but who never enrolled
• Individuals rejected for active service on medical grounds
• Members of the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers (1942–1945)

Other sources

• The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence for members who served in Newfoundland before 1949
• Veterans Affairs Canada for Canadian Merchant Mariners who served 1939–1947 and 1950–1953
• A country of service's military records for people who served with the armed forces of other countries

LAC preserves and provides access to historical records created by the various departments and agencies of the federal government, dating back to 1867.

Government records that are open (access code 90) can be consulted on site, or you can order copies.

Some restricted government records (access code 32) have previously been requested and released, either partially or fully. These records can be viewed or downloaded in our Access to Information database.

If the restricted government records you are looking for are not on this website, you will need to make an ATIP request.

Make an ATIP request to request LAC records about:

• Records created by LAC about
  • financial activities and spending
  • programs
  • policies
  • functions and internal service activities

Make an ATIP request for:

• Personnel files of former employees who left or retired before July 2017
• Personnel files of former employees under 80 years old

Records we may not have

Personnel files of former employees who are now over 80 years old. You may make an ATIP request, but it is possible that we no longer hold these files, as they are eligible for destruction

Records we don't have

Personnel files of former employees who left or retired after June 2017 (contact the department they last worked for)