Request military records and service files

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is responsible for holding the service records of Regular Force members who released before January 1998 and Reserve Force members who released before January 2007. They’re also responsible for the medical and dental records of Canadian Armed Forces members released more than 5 years ago or who died in service more than 5 years ago.

To obtain these records, please contact LAC directly by:

Mail

Library and Archives Canada
Client Services Division
395 Wellington St
Ottawa ON  K1A 0N4

Telephone: 1-866-578-7777

Online

The Department of National Defence (DND) is responsible for holding the following service records:

• Regular Force members who are currently serving, were released from service, or who died in service as of January 1, 1998
• Reserve Force members who are currently serving, were released from service, or who died in service as of March 1, 2008

To obtain these records, please submit an Access to Information request online or by mail to:

Director Access to Information and Privacy
National Defence Headquarters
Major-general George R. Pearkes Bldg
101 Colonel By Dr
Ottawa ON  K1A 0K2   

Birth certificates

If you were born at a military base outside of Canada, and you wish to obtain your birth certificate, contact Citizenship and Immigration. They should have your Birth Certificate or Birth Abroad Certificate on file as it is needed to issue your citizenship or passport.

If they do not have the required documents on file, submit a request to Library and Archives Canada for your mother or father’s military records. When you were born, your birth certificate would have been added to your parent’s personal file(s) to commence benefits.