The Personnel Records Unit at Library and Archives Canada manages all Canadian military service files from 1919–1998 for Regular members, and until 2007 for Reserve members. These files have some access restrictions, which means that not everyone can view them because they are protected by the provisions of privacy legislation. Each file contains an individual’s personal information and details of employment history.
If you are interested in receiving your own or another individual’s record, please read and follow the steps in the Application for Military Service Information form. You must submit this form only if you wish to receive a military service file from 1919–1997, including those files of soldiers from the Second World War (not killed in action).
You can also request a Genealogy Package to receive military records of soldiers from the Second World War (killed in action). The package includes copies of selected documents from the file that highlight and summarize an individual’s service, including enlistment, units served, family details, etc. Your request must include the name, service number, archival reference and volume number, which you can find by searching the Second World War Service Files: Canadian Armed Forces War Dead database.
Requests for a Genealogy Package can be submitted online via the Genealogy Inquiry Form or by mail or fax to:
ATIP and Personnel Records Division
Library and Archives Canada
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0N4
Fax: 613-947-8456
Lastly, to order military records from the First World War, please consult our past blog post entitled “Canadians and the First World War”.
Questions, comments or feedback? We would love to hear from you!
- A user asked for records about German War prisoners in Canada during Second World War. LAC suggested the following sources: Thematic Guide on Internment Camps and finding aid about Internment Camps: Second World War. It was also suggested to Ask a question for a more in depth research.
Summary of comments received in French between April 1, 2014 and June 30, 2014
- An elderly client requests some assistance looking for their father’s service file of the First World War.
Library and Archives Canada Blog 
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Hello, my name is Tim Hook, and earlier I sent in a request for retrieval of information and military service records for Elmer Victor Hook, WW2 tank driver, member of the South Alberta Tank regiment. The file # you sent back to me is PRA-2011-09925. Understandably, you folks are quite busy and I appreciate that, you do fine work. Could you please give me an update as to whether or not my earlier request is still on file and if progress has been started on the research and retrieval? I am trying to formulate a biographical sketch of my uncle for the South Alberta Regiment Veterans Assoc., and I would sincerely appreciate a copy of the full file on him. Cost is not an issue and your help would be greatly apprecited. Sincerely, kind regards, Tim Hook
Thank you for your question. We will contact you directly by e-mail with more information. In the meantime, should you wish to speak with someone directly, we invite you to contact us by telephone at 613-996-5115 or 1-866-578-7777 (toll-free in Canada and the US).
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How much is a genealogy package for someone who died in WWII? I think I read somewhere that they were around $25 but now I can’t find a cost.
The genealogy package for the Second World War is free of charge until further notice. Please consult the search help page of our online database to find out how to obtain copies.
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Hello, are the genealogy packages for service records from 1919-1927 free?
1997, sorry about the typo.
The genealogy package for service records from 1919 – 1997 is free of charge until further notice. Please consult the search help page of our online database to find out how to obtain copies.
lorne william uhl born aug.31 1944 looking for a recored of being in resvers aprox.1956 to 1959 0ut 0f regina sask emailuhlbill@shaw.ca thank you
For information about military records and how to obtain copies of service files, please visit http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/second-world-war/Pages/introduction.aspx.
Once I fill out the application for information form is a copy of the info mailed to me or can I go to the LAC to view the documents myself?
Hello, it depends on what information you are requesting. Someone will respond to you by email shortly. In the meantime, should you wish to speak with someone directly, we invite you to contact us by telephone at 613-996-5115 or 1-866-578-7777 (toll-free in Canada and the US).
We filled out application for military service info, World War 2 Hilton John Warner C37595 4PLDG and signed 19 Feb 15 and forwarded by mail. Were we to receive a file number?? Do you know the status of this request
Hello – I have forwarded your request to the Personnel Records Unit. Someone will be in touch with you shortly to help you with your question.
I have been trying to get a copy of my Military records for my service from Oct 1961 to Dec 1998. I have tried multi web sites under the library and Archives Canada but cannot get into site where I can get access or even a place to send my name to get these records. There was one site that did ask for my full name and when I submitted the information it came back as to such person served in the Canadian Military. I find your systems very confusing and not user friendly. It is very important that I receive copies of my service records as I have a requirement for the information in relation to my present employment. If there is anything you can do to assist me in this request it would be greatly appreciated.
Hello Mr. Pierog,
The ordering of a service file is a complex process, that is governed by privacy laws and is dependent on different types of situations and dates. We regret that it has been such a difficult process for you. As explained on this page (http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/Documents/pru-2015.pdf), because you were discharged from the military in December 1998, you must still contact the Department of National Defence to obtain a copy of your service file as it has not yet been transferred to Library and Archives Canada.
You may contact the DND Directorate of Military Careers Administration at 1-866-240-6726.
Good luck in your search.
If you are looking for US military records, use this database to find people in army, air force and navy. This way you can locate people in army, anddischarged soldiers (both honorable and dishonorably discharged) – http://army-records.net/category/navy-records/
How do I get copies of my service time and certificates if I was in the RCN from 1977 to 1979
Hello Mr. Hadley,
you will have to follow the instruction for Application for Military Service Information form. If you are having issues you can also contact LAC reference services through the Ask us a Question form.
Thanks,
I found the form online, filled it out and faxed it, hopefully they will send the documents to me!
Hi, I am trying to figure out how to supply proof of my relationship to get records for my grandfather’s military service. Obviously none of my records are going to have his name on them. I’m really unsure as to how to connect our relationship. Please help!
I need to have proof of service of my late father, William Ernest Adams, who served in the 1st anti tank regiment, 57th bt, of the RCA in WW2. Can you please help?
Hello Ms. Adams,
you will have to follow the instruction for Application for Military Service Information form. If you are having issues you can also contact LAC reference services through the Ask us a Question form.
Hellow, I am Abdul Waheed from Pakistan, my father named Khalil ur Rehman
I need to have proof of service of my late father, Khalil ur Rehman, who served in the in WW 2. Can you please help me ?
You can find information on how to order your father’s Second World War service file on this section of the LAC website. Have a good day!
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