32 C.F.R. PART 887—ISSUING OF CERTIFICATES IN LIEU OF LOST OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES OF SEPARATION
Title 32 - National Defense
Authority: 10 U.S.C. 1041.
Source: 53 FR 876, Jan. 14, 1988, unless otherwise noted.
This part tells who may apply for a certificate in lieu of a lost or destroyed certificate of separation. It explains where and how to apply. It implements 10 U.S.C. 1041 and DOD Instruction 1332.13, December 23, 1968. This publication applies to ANG and USAFR members. It authorizes collection of information protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. The authority to collect the information is title 10, U.S.C. 8912 and Executive Order 9397. Each form used to collect personal information has an associated Privacy Act Statement that will be given to the individual before information is collected. System of records notice F035 AF MP C, Military Personnel Records System, applies. (a) Certificate in lieu (CIL). A certificate issued in lieu of a lost or destroyed certificate of service, discharge, or retirement. (b) Service person. One who: (1) Is currently serving as a member of the Air Force; or (2) Formerly served in the active military service as a member of the Air Force and all military affiliation was terminated after September 25, 1947. (c) Surviving spouse. A survivor who was legally married to a member of the service at the time of the member's death. (d) Guardian. A person or group of persons legally placed in charge of the affairs of a service member adjudicated mentally incompetent. Certificates of separation are important personal documents. Processing applications for CILs is costly to the Air Force. To keep requests for CILs at a minimum: (a) Personnel officers will tell members of the importance of safeguarding the original certificates. (b) Persons who issue CILs will type or stamp across the lower margin “THIS IS AN IMPORTANT RECORD—SAFEGUARD IT” (if it is not printed on the certificate). Note: Do not show this legend on DD Form 363AF, Certificate of Retirement. CILs may be issued only to: (a) A service member whose character of service was honorable or under honorable conditions. (b) A surviving spouse. (c) A guardian, when a duly certified or otherwise authenticated copy of the court order of appointment is sent with the application. (a) Standard Form 180 (SF 180), Request Pertaining to Military Records, should be used by persons who had service as shown in §887.3(a). However, a letter request, with sufficient identifying data and proof that the original certificate of separation was lost or destroyed, may be used. Members on active duty will forward their applications through their unit commander. (b) SF 180, or any similar form used by agencies outside the Department of Defense, will be used by persons shown in §887.3(b), (c), and §887.7. Note: Persons authorized CILs may be assisted in their request by the Customer Service Unit (DPMAC) in the consolidated base personnel office. The issuing authority makes sure that the proper CIL form is issued, particularly if the service member has had service in both the Army and Air Force. The assignment status as of September 26, 1947 determines if the person was in the Army or Air Force at the time of discharge or release from active duty. Separations that took place on or before September 25, 1947 are considered Army separations. Those that took place on or after September 26, 1947 are considered Air Force separations, unless the records clearly show the person actually served as a member of the Army during the period of service for which the CIL is requested. Individuals indicated in §887.3 may be issued CILs prepared on one of the following forms: (a) DD Form 303AF, Certificate in Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Discharge, is used to replace any lost or destroyed certificate of discharge from the Air Force. (b) DD Form 363AF, Certificate of Retirement, is used to replace any lost or destroyed certificate of retirement from the Air Force (issued only to service members). (c) AF Form 386, Certificate in Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Discharge (AUS), is used to replace any lost or destroyed certificate of discharge from the Army. (d) AF Form 681, Certificate in Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Certificate of Service (AUS), is used to replace any lost or destroyed certificate of service, or like form, issued on release from extended active duty (EAD) in the Army. (e) AF Form 682, Certificate in Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Certificate of Service (USAF), is used to replace any lost or destroyed certificate of service, or like form, issued on release from EAD in the Air Force. (a) DD Form 363AF must be signed by a general officer or colonel. (b) All other CILs must be signed by a commissioned officer, NCO in grade of master sergeant or above, or a civilian in grade GS–7 or above. Those persons whose character of service was under other than honorable conditions or dishonorable are not eligible for CILs. However, an official photocopy of the report of separation or certificate of discharge (DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, or equivalent form), if available, may be sent on written request of the member. (a) On the DD Forms 214 issued before October 1, 1979, the following items will be masked out before a photocopy is sent out: (1) Specific authority for separation. (2) Narrative reason for separation. (3) Reenlistment eligibility code. (4) SPD or separation designation number (SDN). (b) For DD Forms 214 issued after October 1, 1979, send one copy with the Special Additional Information Section, and one copy without it. (c) If a report of separation is not available, furnish a brief official statement of military service. Use the letterhead stationery of the issuing records custodian. File copy of the statement in the master personnel record (MPerR). (d) If (obsolete form) DD Form 258AF, Undesirable Discharge Certificate, has been issued, it may be replaced with DD Form 794AF, Discharge Under Other Than Honorable Conditions. (e) A $4.25 fee may be charged for issuing a document under this section, with the exception of paragraph (d) of this section. (a) For DD Form 363AF: Headquarters, Air Force Military Personnel Center, Officer Actions Branch (HQ AFMPC/DPMD00), Randolph AFB TX 78150–6001, for officers; and Headquarters, Air Force Military Personnel Center, Analysis and Certification Section (HQ AFMPC/DPMD0A2), Randolph AFB TX 78150–6001, for enlisted members. Applicants must attach a copy of the retirement order to SF 180 or letter. (b) All other certificates: (1) HQ AFMPC/DPMD00 for officers, and HQ AFMPC/DPMD0A2, for enlisted members, Randolph AFB TX 78150–6001 for: (i) Members on EAD or on the temporary disability retired list (TDRL). (ii) General officers in retired pay status. (2) National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records—Air Force (NPRC/MPR-AF), 9700 Page Boulevard, St. Louis MO 63132, for officers and enlisted members: (i) Completely separated from the Air Force or Air National Guard. (ii) In a retired pay status, except general officers. (iii) In the retired Reserve who cannot become eligible for retired pay. (3) Headquarters, Air Reserve Personnel Center, Reference Services Branch (HQ ARPC/DSMR), Denver CO 80280–5000, for Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve officers and enlisted members not on EAD, including retired Reserve who will be eligible for retired pay at age 60. This part does not prohibit authorities (see §887.8) from supplying photocopies of certificates of service, reports of separation, or similar documents. Agencies that provide copies of DD Form 214 (or their equivalent) will conspicuously affix an “official” seal or stamp on them to indicate that these documents are copies made from official United States Air Force military personnel records.
Title 32: National Defense
PART 887—ISSUING OF CERTIFICATES IN LIEU OF LOST OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES OF SEPARATION
Section Contents
§ 887.0 Purpose.
§ 887.1 Explanation of terms.
§ 887.2 Safeguarding certificates.
§ 887.3 Persons authorized CILs.
§ 887.4 Requesting CILs.
§ 887.5 Issuing CILs.
§ 887.6 Who must sign CILs.
§ 887.7 Persons separated under other than honorable conditions (undesirable or bad conduct) or dishonorable discharge.
§ 887.8 Where to apply for certificates.
§ 887.9 Furnishing photocopies of documents.
§ 887.0 Purpose.
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§ 887.1 Explanation of terms.
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§ 887.2 Safeguarding certificates.
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§ 887.3 Persons authorized CILs.
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§ 887.4 Requesting CILs.
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§ 887.5 Issuing CILs.
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§ 887.6 Who must sign CILs.
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§ 887.7 Persons separated under other than honorable conditions (undesirable or bad conduct) or dishonorable discharge.
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§ 887.8 Where to apply for certificates.
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§ 887.9 Furnishing photocopies of documents.
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