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Ten Copies

Clerk's desk/August 30, 2026

Military deaths and DD Form 1300

DD Form 1300 is a Report of Casualty. Banks and VA still often want a civilian certified death certificate. This desk does not process military records.

If the death was on active duty, the Department of Defense may issue DD Form 1300, Report of Casualty. VA lists that form among discharge and casualty documents. It is not the same paper as a state or county certified death certificate.

Two different counters

  • Civilian certified copy: order from the vital records office in the jurisdiction of death, same as any other U.S. death. Use CDC Where to Write for Vital Records or the state desk on this site.
  • Military personnel and casualty records: National Archives, eVetRecs or SF-180. VA.gov explains how next of kin request service records.
  • When you report a Veteran's death to VA, VA still asks for a death certificate or other public record of the death. Do not assume a DD-1300 replaces that.
  • This desk does not give benefits advice and takes no cut from any records vendor.

Confirm on va.gov and archives.gov before you pay a third party for a 'military death certificate.' Order extras of the civilian certified copy if banks will keep them.