Reference Services at the Family Research Council (FRC)

Obtaining, obtaining access to, and returning agency records explained: You can obtain your agency's records by temporarily borrowing them, examining them at the Freedom of Information and Records Center (FRC), requesting photocopies or digital scans, or permanently withdrawing them. The...

, and Administrator

2025 September 3 . 8:28 AM

3 min read

Reference Services at the Family Research Council (FRC)

At the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO, the focus is on Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) and other military records. Unlike other Federal Records Centers, the NPRC has unique procedures for requesting records.

For military records, individuals can typically submit requests using Standard Form (SF) 180, either online or by mail. An alternative option is MilConnect, which allows for electronic requests for items created after 1995, with a retrieval notification within 48 hours. However, paper records from NPRC may take several months to receive after submitting an SF-180, and claimants are advised not to follow up prematurely (less than 90 days).

In contrast, other Federal Records Centers, such as the St. Louis Federal Records Center for civilian personnel files, handle requests via written submissions by email or postal mail. These requests require detailed identifying information like employee name, dates of service, Social Security Number, and agency information.

The key procedural distinctions include:

| Aspect | NPRC (Military Records) | Other Federal Records Centers (Civilian Records, e.g., St. Louis) | |-------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Typical Records Held | Military personnel files (OMPF), veterans' records | Civilian personnel files, archival government employee records | | Request Submission | SF-180 form (online or mail), MilConnect for post-1995 records | Written requests via email or mail; specific forms for some employee types| | Processing Timeframe | Can take several months; electronic requests may have 48-hour notice | Varies; increasingly digital, with invoicing by email | | Identification Required | SF-180 fields, may include identification for privacy | Full name, DOB, SSN, agency info, service dates | | Access Methods | Online portals (MilConnect), mail | Appointment visits, independent researchers allowed | | Notification of Completion | Email notification through MilConnect | Email invoice and communication |

When it comes to interfiles, agencies must provide specific information when sending them to the NPRC, including the transfer number, charge code (if applicable), box number, records center location number, and correct file designation.

In all cases, include the transfer number, agency box number, folder name/number (if applicable), beginning location of transfer at the records center, the type of request, date, and contact information in the reference request.

FRC customers have several options for delivery of urgent/special reference requests, including overnight express courier, FRC Metro Courier, and digital delivery services. For overnight express courier, the name of the courier and a billing account number should be provided in the "Remarks" section.

In the event that it becomes necessary to move records within a Federal Records Center, NARA will notify agencies of the relocation. A Notice of Transfer Location Change (NA Form 13016) is mailed to the agency after the relocation, and agencies should update their file copies of SF 135s to show new location numbers for use in requesting these files in the future.

Agencies may send documents or folders that were not included in the original transfer to be interfiled into that transfer at the center. Agencies participating in Stratified Report Invoicing must include a caret followed by a valid, legible two-character charge code on the top right front of every request.

The FRC will bill agencies separately for each item, folder, or carton requested, as specified in the agency's agreement with NARA. Properly submitted and complete reference requests are usually ready for mailing, pickup, or delivery to the agency one business day after receipt by the FRC.

For more detailed guidelines on requesting records from the NPRC, refer to the NPRC Guidelines. Specific instructions for each method of requesting records are included in this chapter.