WHEREABOUTS

The release of a last known address from a military record is governed by 32 CFR 286, DoD Freedom of information Act Program, 32 CFT 286a, DoD Privacy Program, and decisions of the Defense Privacy Board.  File a copy of each response to a “whereabouts” request in the record to document action taken by NPRC.

NPRC provides the last known address in the veteran’s military record to:

These are the ONLY instances an address is releasable.

Requests from other than “Routine Use” should be analyzed to determine the best course of action.  You must consider the following:

1)   Who is the requester?
2)   What is the reason or purpose cited for the request?
3)   What is the requester’s relationship to the veteran?
4)   Would it seem more appropriate for the military branch to make a determination?


NOTE:  DO NOT offer to forward a letter of a person claiming to be the illegitimate child of a veteran if paternity has not been established in a court of law, or child has NOT BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED by veteran.
 

APPEALS

Although our response forms do not state that the requester may appeal NPRC's decision not to release the last known address or not to forward correspondence, such appeals are received from time to time.  These appeals should be routed to the appropriate branch chief for the necessary determination.  Likewise, if a denial by the service department is found in the service record, forward to the branch chief for review.
 

NOTE:   If you are unsure about what is and is not a routine use, consult NPRC 1865.16, Release and Access Guide for Military Personnel and Related Records at NPRC.

"ROUTINE USE"

Federal Government 
State & Local Government Agencies engaged in law enforcement, to include police departments, investigative offices, prosecuting attorneys, district attorneys, coroners, etc.		 Official business 
(includes benefit administration, tax collection, collection of defaulted loanes, collection of alimony and child support)
Does NOT include employment eligibility requests		 Furnish most current address in the record, and the date of the source

OTHER THAN "ROUTINE USE"

State and Local government Any disclosure authorized by the Privacy Act Furnish most current address in the record and the date of the source

 
Foreign & domestic financial institutions and private commercial concerns such as insurance companies 
(bank, loan company, collection/credit agency)

DOES NOT include overseas military banking facilities which are "routine users."

 Other purposes/reasons: 

a) NOT in the best interest of the veteran
 

b)IN THE BEST INTEREST of the veteran
 
 
a)  To locate veteran concerning financial business AND requester submits veteran's signed authorization
 
 
b)  Veteran's written consent NOT provided and:
 
1)  NOT IN BEST INTERESTof the veteran or NOK 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2)IN THE BEST INTEREST of the veteran or NOK (e.g. estate settlement, receipt of money, etc.)

  
 
a)  DO NOT furnish address, but offer to forward
FOR A FEE

b)  DO NOT furnish address, but offer to forward WITHOUT A FEE
 
 
a)  Furnish most current address in the record and the date of the source
 
 
 
 
 
 
b 1)  DO NOT furnish address, but offer to forward FOR A FEE 
 
(Note:  If from a foreign financial institution, coordinate with the respective military service before taking any action)
 
 
b 2)  DO NOT furnish address, but offer to forward WITHOUT A FEE
 

 
Friends, clubs, church or veterans organizations Social Reasons DO NOT furnish address
DO NOT offer to forward

 
Public information
(e.g., Radio, TV, Print Media)		 Any Purpose DO NOT furnish address
DO NOT offer to forward

 
Veterans Requester's VA or SSA benefits are dependent on contacting one or more veterans OR the veteran to be contacted will have their VA or SSA benefits affected DO NOT furnish address, but offer to forward WITHOUT A FEE

 
Divorced, deserted, or separated spouse or cohabitant (whether or not remarried) To contact veteran for alimony or child support Furnish the most current address in the record and the date of the source

 
Foreign private citizens or government sources (not corporations) Any Purpose DO NOT furnish address
DO NOT offer to forward

 
Veteran's relatives other than spouse  a)  Any purpose detrimental to the veteran 

b)  IN THE BEST INTEREST of the veteran 

 a)  DO NOT furnish address  DO NOT offer to forward

b)  DO NOT furnish address, but offer to forward WITHOUT A FEE

Source:  NPRC 1865.49