Nobody Gets You Your DD214 Faster

Congratulations! You're about to buy a new home. And as a veteran, you have distinct benefits and advantages.

The VA Home Loan Guarantee program's intent has evolved from its original conception for transition assistance for World War II veterans into the premise that housing assistance is justified for any period of active service, not just wartime service, because service removes the veteran from civilian life. In addition, Congress has recognized that VA housing benefit provides incentive value for the volunteer military. For these reasons, the program has been made permanent, and benefits have been extended to qualifying members still on active duty, to members serving in the Selected Reserve, and to certain surviving spouses. Congress has continually expanded coverage, added features, and sought to maximize the program’s appeal and utility to veterans. The initial short-term or one-time benefit program has gradually expanded until it has become a permanent benefit that can be used multiple times over a lifetime. The program was extended to cover special groups such as those needing specially adapted living facilities and Native Americans living on trust lands in recognition that their unique needs should also be served by the program. The definition of a qualifying “veteran” was expanded to include active service members to support the volunteer military and, later, members of the Selected Reserve in recognition of growing active/reserve Total Force mission sharing.

The benefit that veterans gain from VA’s Home Loan program offers several advantages relative to conventional loans or other available alternatives, including: no down payment; limitations on closing costs; no private mortgage insurance; easier credit standards to qualify for a loan; default assistance to avoid foreclosure; and recognition of service to country. The financial savings for the veteran can be many, many thousands of dollars over the veteran's lifetime.

But do you qualify for a VA Home Loan Guarantee?

The VA determines if you are qualified for the VA Home Loan program. The qualifications can be found on their website, General Rules for Eligibility. Once the VA has determined that you are qualified for the program, they will issue you a Certificate of Eligibility. That is the document that you will provide to your prospective lenders.

The Application Process.

To request a Certificate of Eligibility for VA home loan benefits, you must complete VA Form 26-1880 and submit it to the VA Eligibility Center along with acceptable proof of service as described on the instruction page of the form. There's where our service comes into play. Touchstone will acquire your DD214 and other necessary documents to support your military service.

Our researchers are experts in acquiring the documents that are required by the VA for their home loan program. For most veterans, this will be a copy of your DD214. For Army or Air Force National Guard you will need your NGB Form 22, Report of Separation and Record of Service, or NGB Form 23, Retirement Points Accounting, or it's equivalent (this is similar to a retirement points summary). If you are a discharged member of the Selected Reserve you may need a copy of your latest annual point statement and evidence of honorable service. Since there is no single form used by the Reserves or National Guard similar to the DD Form 214, it is the veteran's responsibility to furnish adequate documentation of at least 6 years of honorable service.

Touchstone will review your "chart" and copy all pertinent documents to support your application for the VA's Certificate of Eligibility.

Now you're ready to close on your new home, and you need your DD214 fast. That's precisely our business. We are the DD Form 214 expediters! Our on-site researchers will always be able to get you your DD214 faster than if you were to apply through the government’s standard web, correspondence, telephone and/or fax processing procedures - saving weeks or months.

Touchstone’s Express Service is a personal research service. We act as your authorized agent. We assign your case to one of our specialized researchers who requests your DD214 (short OR long form) at the appropriate archives facility, physically, in person. If your order is received before 10 am Eastern Time, in many cases we can both make your DD214 available to you online for download through our secure server the same day and FedEx the two (2) certified hard-copies of your DD214 for your in-hand receipt the very next day.

Your records will be kept at one or more of well over 100 different government records repositories, each of which will have its own processing procedure - and processing times. The time in which the Government will provide our on-premises researchers with your "chart" will vary from facility to facility. We can obtain many records the same day. But some facilities will require a little more time. However, in well over 95% of cases, we will deliver a certified copy of your DD214 to you within 7 business days.

You should take these Government internal delays into consideration when you place your order.

As a part of our personal Express Service, if problems are encountered, we will either e-mail or call you to discuss and resolve any difficulties. This speeds the process over snail-mail correspondence.

How to Order

1. Records Facility Processing Times
   First, take into consideration the typical internal Government facility delays.
2. Then select the Express Service processing time that you require below. This is the time that should be added to the Government delay to determine approximately when your DD214 will be shipped.
3. Click the Add to Cart button below, Checkout and then create your account.
4. You'll be given several shipping options. Select your shipping method of choice, from overnight FedEx to 2-4 day Priority Mail.
5. Finally, after you've paid and completed your order, there will be a download link to a form at your Order Page. The form provides us with your personal information, your military history, and most importantly your signature. Your records are protected by the Privacy Act and the law requires that we have your written authorization in order to allow us to access your records. Log Into your account and download the PDF form from there. OR, you can access the DD214 Request Form in either HTML (here) OR PDF (here) formats OR submit electronically (no fax required!) through our eSign Form (here) (Beta). Follow the form's simple instructions: complete the form, sign it and send it back to us ASAP so that we’ll have the necessary information and your authorization to commence our search for your DD214. We cannot begin until we have a copy of your signed authorization in-hand. This form MUST be signed by you so that we can act as your agent and on your behalf in regard to our search.

Questions? Or order by phone!

How can our researchers get you your record so fast? We encourage you to read our FAQ (Click HERE) for any questions or concerns.

The simplest and easiest way to obtain your DD214 is to order it here, online 24/7. But if you still have any questions or concerns ... you can access our on-line chat by clicking the chat button at left. Or call us toll-free: 800-At DD214 (800-283-3214).

Our call center hours are M-F 08:30am to 11:00pm Eastern time, but is closed federal holidays. Our back-office operations are working 24/7 to move your order forward. The earlier you place your order, the sooner we will retrieve your documents.

Guaranteed, Bonded and Insured Service

In all cases, we GUARANTEE the fastest possible delivery. No one can get you your DD214 faster.

*   Business Days. Same Day, Two and Three Day Express Service processing require our receipt of your signed authorization by 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Hard copy delivery, Fax and Online Download are all certified copies.
     Delivery is FOB shipping point, delivery to shipper. Below are OUR process times, the time within which we will acquire your DD-214 and deliver it to the shipper. You should add to this any internal Government facility delays. Later in the order process you'll be able to select the shipping choice that best meets your needs.