How to Send an Inquiry Concerning Your Own or Another Individual's Records
* Your request must be signed.
* To identify a file, we require surname, full given name(s), date of birth, and service number or social insurance number.
* If you do not know the date of birth, service number or S.I.N. (social insurance number), secondary information (e.g., the names of next of kin, postings, dates of service, place of enlistment) can assist in identifying the correct individual.
* Consult the section below on Access Restrictions.
* Please specify what document(s) you require. If you are doing family history research, we recommend that you request a "genealogy package," which will include copies of selected documents from the file that highlight/summarize the individual's service.
* We do not accept email inquiries for these records. Inquiries must be sent by mail or fax.
* Your request can be written as a letter or you can print off a blank copy of the Application for Military Service Information form available in [PDF 663 KB] or [RTF 44,516 KB] format, which should be filled in, signed and sent by mail or fax.
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* Inquiries should be sent by mail or fax to:
ATIP and Personnel Records Division
Library and Archives Canada
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N4
Fax: 613-947-8456
If you are an ex-service member released less than five years:
* Please send your request to National Defence Headquarters if you are requesting your entire military personnel file, information under the Privacy Act or a complete personal information bank, such as all your medical records, all your pension information or all your performance evaluation and course reports. See the section below on Research in Other Institutions.
* Please send your request to our Personnel Records Unit if you only require a copy of a specific document(s), such as your discharge certificate or immunization records.
Access Restrictions
* Access to personal information relating to an individual who is still living requires that person's signed consent.
* If the individual has been deceased for less than 20 years, limited information may be released to immediate family. Proof of death and relationship must be provided.
* There are no restrictions on access to information relating to an individual who has been deceased for more than 20 years. Proof of death is required.