5 Ways to Find Out if Someone Was Dishonorably Discharged
Before approving a new hire or renting out a property, many people want to verify a candidate’s background, including their military service. Discharge status often reveals more than just when someone served. It reflects their conduct, reliability, and eligibility for certain veterans’ benefits.
A dishonorable discharge is the most serious type of separation from the armed forces. It follows a conviction in a general court-martial for serious offenses such as desertion or assault and permanently affects a person’s civilian opportunities.
Because military service records are protected by federal privacy laws, verifying this information must be done through legitimate and ethical channels.
This article explores five proven methods to find out if someone was dishonorably discharged while remaining compliant with privacy and legal standards.
Contents
- 1 Key Takeaways
- 2 What Is a Dishonorable Discharge?
- 3 Methods to Find Out if Someone Was Dishonorably Discharged
- 3.1 1. Ask the Individual Directly for Their DD Form 214
- 3.2 2. Request Military Records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)
- 3.3 3. File a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request
- 3.4 4. Check Publicly Available Military Records (62 Years or Older)
- 3.5 5. Review Employment Background Checks or Third-Party Verification
- 4 Privacy and Access Limitations
- 5 Understanding the Impact of a Dishonorable Discharge
- 6 Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The DD214 is the two most reliable ways to confirm military service and discharge details.
- SCRACVS is the best choice for landlords, lawyers, and lenders who need to verify active duty status with court-recognized verification.
- DMDC and NPRC are valid but have access restrictions and longer processing times.
- Privacy laws protect most service data, ensuring that only authorized parties can access detailed records.
- For the general public, records older than 62 years are open through the National Archives.
What Is a Dishonorable Discharge?
A dishonorable discharge is the most severe form of separation from the United States military. It is issued only after a general court-martial, the military equivalent of a felony trial, for crimes such as desertion, assault, theft, or other offenses that violate military law and ethics. Receiving this type of discharge permanently damages a service member’s record and limits opportunities in civilian life.
The consequences of a dishonorable discharge are significant. It results in a complete loss of veterans’ benefits, including VA health care, education assistance, and home loan eligibility. Individuals may also face restrictions on firearm ownership, limitations in federal employment, and potential visibility on criminal background checks.
Employers, landlords, and federal agencies often view this record as a serious legal concern rather than a mere administrative issue.
To understand the impact of such a discharge, it helps to compare it with other forms of military separation.
Below is a table that outlines the main types of military discharges and their implications.
| Type of Discharge | Issued By | Reason or Cause | Eligibility for Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honorable discharge | Commanding officer | Completed service with good conduct | Full benefits |
| General | Administrative authority | Minor infractions or unsatisfactory performance | Most benefits retained |
| Other Than Honorable (OTH) | Administrative authority | Serious misconduct without court-martial | Limited or no benefits |
| Bad Conduct (BCD) | Special court-martial | Criminal offense or serious misconduct | Loss of benefits, possible criminal record |
| Dishonorable | General court-martial | Severe criminal acts or moral violations | No benefits, legal penalties |
| Medical | Medical evaluation board | Disability or medical incapacity | Full medical and VA benefits |
Each discharge status carries distinct implications for a military career and civilian reintegration.
Methods to Find Out if Someone Was Dishonorably Discharged
1. Ask the Individual Directly for Their DD Form 214
The most straightforward and accurate way to confirm a dishonorable discharge is to request the individual’s DD Form 214, officially known as the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
This document serves as the primary record of a military service member’s career and outlines essential details, including the character of service (Honorable, General, Other Than Honorable, Bad Conduct, or Dishonorable), total active duty time, rank, and branch of service.
Employers, attorneys, or landlords sometimes use this method to verify military service during background checks. When doing so, they must treat the information confidentially, as the Privacy Act of 1974 prohibits unauthorized sharing of military personnel records.
The individual can either provide a certified copy or allow a review of the “Member 4 Copy,” which contains the discharge type and separation information.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, every veteran receives a DD Form 214 when leaving active duty and is entitled to one official copy. This makes it the most direct and legitimate document for confirming a person’s discharge status without breaching privacy laws.
2. Request Military Records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)
The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) is the primary custodian of official military personnel files for all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Operated by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the NPRC maintains millions of official military personnel files (OMPFs) that include discharge papers, duty assignments, and other service-related documentation. These records are the foundation for verifying whether someone was dishonorably discharged or received another type of military discharge.
Civilians can submit requests to the NPRC through two main channels: the eVetRecs online system or a Standard Form 180 (SF-180) sent by mail or fax. To process a request, the center requires identifying details such as the veteran’s full name, branch of service, service number or Social Security number, and approximate service dates.
Additionally, consent from the veteran or documented proof of next of kin status, spouse, parent, child, or sibling is mandatory for accessing non-public information.
Processing time typically ranges from four to ten week,s depending on the record type and request volume. However, privacy laws limit what can be released without authorization. If consent is not provided, the NPRC will only share limited information such as service dates, rank, and awards, while withholding the discharge status and characterization.
It is important to note that submitting a request under false pretenses violates federal law under 18 U.S.C. §1001, which prohibits making false statements to government agencies. Anyone seeking to obtain information from the NPRC must do so truthfully and within the legal boundaries established by the Privacy Act.
3. File a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives the public the right to request federal government records, including select military personnel records maintained by the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).
This method can confirm that a military service member served in the armed forces, but it cannot reveal whether the individual received a dishonorable discharge. Information related to discharge status and personnel actions is protected under the Privacy Act, meaning only limited details can be released without authorization.
Through a FOIA request, you can typically verify a report of separation, duty assignment, branch affiliation, and any awards or commendations that are not restricted or classified.
However, the FOIA process does not grant access to sensitive data such as the character of service, court martial outcomes, or administrative discharges. This ensures the privacy of current and former military members while maintaining federal compliance.
All FOIA submissions must include identifying details such as the veteran’s full name, service number, Social Security number, branch, and approximate dates of active duty. Requests should be sent directly to the NPRC’s FOIA Office with a clear explanation of why the information is being sought. As stated by the National Archives, official military personnel files become fully public 62 years after a service member’s discharge from active duty, when privacy restrictions no longer apply.
4. Check Publicly Available Military Records (62 Years or Older)
After a certain period, military records move from restricted government files to publicly accessible archives.
Once 62 years have passed since a military service member’s separation from active duty, their records are transferred to the public collection maintained by the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. This transition allows anyone to explore verified details about long-completed military careers.
These historical archives are available through the National Archives Catalog, where users can search, request copies, or conduct in-person research. The archived files often contain valuable information such as the type of military discharge, results of any general court martial or special court martial, duty assignments, and summaries of personnel actions.
Some files may also include details about medical discharge evaluations or administrative discharges, depending on what was recorded at the time.
Accessing these older official military personnel files is particularly helpful for those tracing World War II service histories, confirming a deceased veteran’s record, or gathering material for historical or veteran recognition projects.
While this approach cannot verify a recent dishonorable discharge, it remains a reliable option for researching former armed forces members whose military service records have become part of the nation’s permanent history.
5. Review Employment Background Checks or Third-Party Verification
Another practical method to confirm military affiliation is through authorized employment background checks or trusted third-party verification services. These platforms can help employers, landlords, and law firms verify whether an individual served in the U.S. military, but they cannot reveal the character of discharge.
Employers often rely on the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), which provides access to verified active duty status information. Similarly, reputable verification platforms such as SCRACVS and Military Verification allow users to confirm a person’s current or past military service while remaining compliant with federal privacy regulations. Note, searches conducted through these resources will not capture an individual’s entire military history. They will cover a given date and the 367 days prior, capturing any active duty service that overlaps with this period.
These services are particularly valuable for ensuring Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) compliance in legal or financial proceedings.
However, it is important to understand that these verification tools do not disclose whether someone received an honorable discharge, general discharge, or dishonorable discharge. Their purpose is limited to confirming service history, not evaluating conduct or disciplinary outcomes. When reviewing such results, it is always best to seek the individual’s consent before pursuing additional military personnel records to avoid violating privacy laws.
Privacy and Access Limitations
Accessing military service records requires adherence to strict privacy laws designed to protect the identities and histories of military members. These protections are outlined in the Privacy Act of 1974, which restricts the release of personal information contained in federal records.
According to the Privacy Act, federal law prohibits the disclosure of discharge details to anyone other than the veteran, their next of kin, or an authorized legal representative. This safeguard ensures that sensitive personnel actions, including the character of discharge or court martial outcomes, remain confidential unless proper consent is provided.
Under these same laws, employers, landlords, and other third parties cannot access a person’s discharge papers or military record without written authorization. A signature or formal release form from the military veteran is required before agencies like the National Personnel Records Center can share any information beyond basic service details.
These restrictions align with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemption rules, which limit the release of private or classified data.
Here is a simple comparison to clarify what can and cannot be accessed:
| What You Can Access | What You Can’t Access Without Consent |
|---|---|
| Verification of active duty service | Discharge status or character of service |
| Branch of service and service dates | Details of court martial trials or disciplinary actions |
| Awards, commendations, and public records | Medical discharge documentation or evaluations |
| Archival records over 62 years old | Recent official military personnel files |
These privacy rules are essential for protecting the integrity of military personnel records while ensuring that only authorized individuals can review sensitive discharge information.
Understanding the Impact of a Dishonorable Discharge
A dishonorable discharge follows conviction at a general court-martial and carries the same legal weight as a felony. Both enlisted members and commissioned officers can receive it for offenses such as sexual assault, theft, or desertion. Once issued, this type of separation becomes part of the individual’s permanent military record and affects how employers, lenders, and government agencies view their background.
The long-term effects can be serious:
- Loss of veterans’ benefits: Individuals cannot receive VA health care, education aid, home loans, or disability compensation.
- Firearm restrictions: The Gun Control Act bars anyone with this discharge from owning or purchasing firearms.
- Limited job options: Federal employment and many government contracts are off-limits.
- Housing and credit challenges: Background checks that include military service often flag dishonorable discharges, affecting rental or loan approval.
- No burial or medical benefits: Those with this discharge are not eligible for VA burial honors or medical services.
Not all military discharges are final. A discharge review board can revisit some administrative or bad conduct discharges, but it cannot overturn a punitive discharge from a court-martial.
Most veterans who complete basic training, meet their duty assignments, and leave under honorable or general conditions keep their benefits and access to federal programs. A dishonorable discharge, however, ends those opportunities entirely.
Access to full military records remains restricted to the veteran, their next of kin, or an authorized representative under federal privacy law.
Conclusion
Learning how to find out if someone was dishonorably discharged requires both care and responsibility. It is not just about confirming a fact; it involves following lawful procedures that protect the privacy of every service member. The DD Form 214 remains the most reliable record for confirming a military discharge, but access is limited to the veteran, their next of kin, or an authorized legal representative.
When direct consent is not available, official channels such as the National Personnel Records Center or the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provide the safest and most ethical way to obtain verified information. These paths ensure accuracy while staying compliant with federal privacy regulations.
In the end, checking a person’s military service records is about more than documentation. It is an act of respect for the individuals who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and a reflection of integrity for those seeking the truth.
