Where to search for marine records.

Marines records and Marine Corps records are managed by The National Archive. There are different departments that are responsible for marine records from different periods. If you need to get copies of marine records, you need to know how to start your search.

The first thing to do when starting a search for any record marine is to figure out what type the record is. Knowing what record marine you are after will allow you to send your request to the correct department. The best way to check where to address you request is by contacting The National Archives. We have also compiled a brief list to help you address your request to the correct department.

Which department is responsible for the different marine corps records?

• Marine records of veterans discharged, retired or deceased before 1905 can be obtained by The National Archives's Old Military and Civil Records Branch (NWCTB-Military);


• Records of marines discharged, retired or deceased between 1906 and 1939 can be requested by Archival Program Division at the National Personnel Records Center (MPR).


• Marine military records of officers discharged, retired or deceased between 1905 and 1994 can be requested by National Personnel Records Center (NPRC-MPR). There you can also request records of enlisted marine personnel for the period between 1939 and 1994.


• Marine military records of marines discharged, retired or deceased after 1999 can be obtained by the Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps. At the same place you can request records of Active, Selected Marine Corps Reserve, TDRL.