Finding the right VA office for your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) records request just got easier. VA has redesigned the page Veterans use to request records.
Whether you’re requesting a DD214, medical record or benefits letter, this page helps you get started. It replaces a maze of legal terms and links with clearly labeled boxes that match you to the form you need.
You don’t need to know the difference between a FOIA request and a Privacy Act request. You don’t need to know which VA administration handles what. You simply choose the box that matches what you’re looking for.
That’s more than a design change. It means less time searching and more time getting the records you need.
Find the right office faster
Before the redesign, a Veteran’s request for medical records might end up in a benefits mailbox. A DD214 request might land in a queue unrelated to military personnel records. Every misdirected request meant more waiting and more frustration for Veterans who were already navigating an important life event.
After the redesign, misdirected requests have dropped by 90%, helping Veterans reach the correct office faster, while maintaining the same level of access to VA records.
“We transformed a confusing, text-heavy process into a simple, intuitive experience built around clearly labeled selection boxes that guide requesters directly to the right office,” said Tammy Wray, VA FOIA public liaison. “As both a VA employee and a retired military Veteran, it was important to me that every requester, especially our fellow Veterans, could easily find and request the records they need.”
Teams across VA, including the Office of Information and Technology, Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration and National Cemetery Administration, worked together to redesign the page and improve the records request experience for Veterans.
How it works
The FOIA and records request page includes clearly labeled boxes for the most common requests, including:
- Veterans Benefits Administration records
- Veterans Health Administration records
- Military service records and next-of-kin requests
- DD214 requests
- National Cemetery Administration records
- Employment verification
- Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) claims
- Publicly available records and proactive disclosures
Some requests include more than one option because they follow different processes. Pick the option that fits, and the site opens the right form or submission system.
Built with Veterans in mind
The page launched in October 2025 with six sections and has continued to evolve based on the questions Veterans ask every day.
VA reviews incoming requests routinely to identify common challenges and update the page so Veterans can find answers more easily.
“I find the boxes with brief descriptions and bold print especially helpful for a quick view of what we are looking for during visits,” said Amy Jack, Navy Veteran and Veteran Health Care navigator. “The addition of direct links to the actual information eliminates the need to locate an accurate website and navigate to the information required.”
Get started today
The next time you need a record from VA, skip the guesswork.
Visit the FOIA and records request page, select the box that matches the record you’re looking for, and immediately access the correct form.
Know another Veteran who needs a VA record? Share this page with them.
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Source: VA News
Source: VA News. Review credited third-party material before publication.
