Ref: (a) Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214/5 Series), DoD I1336.01

The implementation of electronic transmission of DD Form 214 data to the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) is complete. The Veterans Administration,  State Directors of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Labor have access to DD Form 214 data. SPOs are not required to produce and distribute paper copies 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8.  DMDC is the official distribution source of the Military Services authoritative and certified information for all periods of active duty that are completed on or after January 1, 2015.

Copy 1, Member's Copy:

Original: The original DD Form 214 will be given to the person being released, transferred, discharged, or retired. The member shall be given final signed copies 1 and 4 of the DD-214 prior to the departure date from the Permanent Duty Station (PDS) (i.e., departing on terminal leave, permissive orders, etc.) whenever possible, but no later than the date of separation.  Delaying the finalization of the DD-214 negatively affects the member’s ability to receive their earned benefits.  Retiring members must apply for medical benefits, (with their DD-214), no more than 90 days prior to their retirement date and no later than their last day of active duty.  Denying the receipt of the DD-214 to the member is unacceptable and not in compliance with reference (a).  When separation is effected under emergency conditions that preclude physical delivery prior to departure, the original copies will be mailed to the member, (via traceable method), no later than the date of separation.  Remaining copies shall not be distributed until the day after separation.

Copy 1 (reproduction). In the case of discharged alien deserters, provide one reproduced copy of Copy 1 in hard copy or electronic format to the U.S. Department of State, Visa Office – SCA/VO, State Annex No. 2, Washington, DC 20520, to assist the Visa Office in precluding the unwarranted issuance of visas to discharged and alien deserters in accordance with DoDI 1325.02. Enter the place of birth in Block 18.

Copy 2, Service:

Send Copy 2 to PSC-PSD-MR  (along with other documents as listed on the Separation Documents Checklist (Enclosure  to COMDTINST M1080.10 (series)). Retain hard copy in SPO PDR for all members remaining in service.

Copy 3, Veterans Administration:

Copy 3 will not be forwarded to the VA datacenter. This data is now transmitted electronically via Direct Access outbound interface. Destroy copy 3.

Copy 4, Special Additional Information Copy:

Copy 4 will be given to the member being separated.

Copy 5, Department of Labor:

Copy 5 will not be forwarded to the Department of Labor. This data is now transmitted electronically via Direct Access outbound interface. Destroy copy 5

Copy 6, State Director of Veterans Affairs:

Copy 6 will not be forwarded to the State Director of Veterans Affairs. This data is now transmitted electronically via Direct Access outbound interface. Destroy copy 6.

Service (Copies 7 and 8):

Copies 7 and 8 shall be destroyed.

Note: All forms to be discarded, including those that are blank or partially completed, and reproduced copies of DD Form 214 will be destroyed. No forms will be discarded intact.