The answer largely depends on whether you only need a copy, which can then be used by the VA and/or other Government agencies as an “official copy,” or you actually need an original copy, for some reason.For the vast majority of people, a copy of your discharge papers will be sufficient, and can be obtained from the National Archives, or in some cases for servicemembers who separated from the service fairly recently, from their former Service headquarters. If your separation was very recent, you might also be able to get a copy from your last unit.Any servicemember who lost their original discharge papers, usually known as “DD-214” documents, although there are other types, and the further back in time you go, they get called other things, too, may request a new copy of their documents from their Service headquarters.See this guidance on requesting a copy of DD Form 214/215 from a servicemember’s former Service Headquarters. See paragraph 3.5.4, page 8 of DoD Instruction 1336.1, dated January 6, 1989 (Incorporating Through Change 3, February 28, 2003), SUBJECT: Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214/5 Series): http://www.dd214.us/reference/13...3.5.4. Requests for Copies of DD Form 214 Subsequent to Separation. Agencies maintaining a separatee's DD Form 214 will pra copy only upon written request by the member. Agencies will prthe member with one copy with the Special Additional Information section, and one copy with that information deleted. In the case of DD Forms 214 issued prior to 1 July 1979, Agencies will prthe member with one copy containing all items of information completed, and one copy with the following items deleted from the form: specific authority and narrative reason for separation, reenlistment eligibility code, and separation program designator/number.For example, Marines can request copies of their service records, including Official Military Personnel File, performance evaluations, Service records, and discharge documents, from: https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/we...!For Marines, see the Marine Corps Separations Manual, paragraph 1202.4g, found on page 1–46: http://www.dd214.us/reference/MA...Other Services will have similar references and regulations concerning the preparation, processing, dissemination, and reconstruction of missing or original discharge documents.g. In the event that a DD Form 214 is lost, destroyed, or requires alteration or correction, the following applies:(1) Any unavoidable corrections or changes made in the unshaded areas of the form during the preparation shall be neat and legible on all copies and Ch 2 1-46 1202 MARINE CORPS SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT MANUAL initialed by the authenticating official. No corrections will be permitted in the shaded areas. Once the original and copy 4, if applicable, have been delivered to the Marine, no corrections may be made to copies by the separation activity.*(2) The Marine will be cautioned not to make changes or alterations to the form; to do so will render it void. If the Marine discovers an error after receipt of the form and after departure from the separation activity, or distribution of copies has been made, corrections or changes to blocks 1 through 22 will be made by the activity having physical control of the OQR/SRB. Changes will be made using the DD Form 215. Corrections or changes to blocks 23 through 28 of the DD Form 214 will only be corrected by CMC. These changes will also be made using the DD Form 215. Requests for correction to DD Form 214 will be addressed to:Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (MMSB-10), 2024 Elliot Road Quantico, VA 22134-5030Requests should include the Marine's full name, grade, social security number (SSN), and effective date of separation.*(3) Requests for replacing a lost or destroyed DD Form 214 will be handled by the activity having physical control of the OQR/SRB. Prior to issuing a replacement DD Form 214, contact CMC (MMSB-10) to determine if the initial DD Form 214 is contained in the member’s Official Military Personnel File. To reissue a DD Form 214 that has been lost or destroyed may require a lengthy research process and all information needed may not be available.In the past, many veterans filed a copy of their DD-214 (or other discharge documents) into a County Courthouse. In recent years, this has become discouraged because in most locations, those documents are considered public records, and thus could contribute to identity theft. I mention this, however, because there are many veterans/retirees who did file those documents, and could later write to/visit that County to obtain a copy of their records.Note that obtaining a new, original, version of your separation documents will have to come from your Service Headquarters, so if you think you really need an original reconstructed, you will need to contact them…but as noted above, a copy from your Official Military File or Service Record will almost always be sufficient.Note also: if you have ever had a DD-215 Correction document added to your DD-214, then you must ALWAYS, ALWAYS, keep the DD-215 and the DD-214 that it corrects together…they are a mated pair for life. Anytime you present your DD-214 for any reason, you must also present your DD-215. Never let them get separated from each other.Note, note, also: if you have more than one DD-214 (and/or DD-215) from your service, the most important one is the LAST one…which should incorporate all the material, dates, awards, combat tours, etc., from all preceding DD-214/215’s into the final, total DD-214, but you should still have copies of all the “subordinate” DD-214’s/215’s from previous periods of service.Here is a non-Govt site that provides background and excellent references to research DD-214’s and other discharge papers. See: Welcome Veterans to the DD214 Website!See the National Archives website for more information: About Military Service Records and Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs, DD Form 214)“The report of separation form issued in most recent years is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Before January 1, 1950, several similar forms were used by the military services, including the WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD, and the NAVCG 553.To get copies of DD Form 214, Discharge Papers or Separation Documents:Use the eVetRecs request systemMail or Fax Standard Form SF-180″