How Do I Get Started Ordering Records for My Soldier?

Good question!  You're in the right place!

 

We specialize in helping people find these records at the National Archives.  Our team is at the National Archives almost every day and would be happy to help you out!

Here's the first thing you need to know.  As much as I wish we could, we can't simply browse the shelves at the National Archives, looking for your records.  We have to tell the National Archives staff members which records we're looking for and they get the records for us.  They don't let us access the storage areas.

Because there are SO many records in the building, the National Archives staff members need to know exactly where that specific file is kept (there are about two million Civil War pension files alone, let alone records for all of the other wars!).  

Since there are so many records there, the good news is that there are indexes that give us the details as to where those records are kept within the building. 

That means in order for YOU to order any records, we need to know two things:

 

First:  Are they in the indexes?

Second: If so, what does that index entry say?

 

So what that means for you, is that BEFORE you order any most any records, you need to have the index entries ready.

The blue boxes below have links to the different index entries for the various wars.  You're welcome to look through the blue boxes below and see if your soldier is in those indexes.  Once you have the correct information, you can place your order.

If you're not sure if they're in the index and would rather have us help you find them, we can do that!  We can help you find your Union Civil War soldiers in the pension index for free.  Since the indexes for the other wars are a bit more complicated to go through, there is a small fee involved.   You can submit your request for assistance by clicking on the blue boxes below.  

If you need help finding your ancestor in the indexes, the sections below should help. If you still have questions, you can contact us here.

One last thing:  if you're wondering about the prices for these services, you can find that on the Place an Order tab.  All of the records are listed there along with the rates involved in getting them.  

Civil War, Union – FREE assistance (click to open)
The records we work with for Union soldiers are the pension files, the compiled military service records, and the carded medical records. 
Keep in mind that not every soldier received a pension, so you definitely need to check the pension indexes before ordering a pension file.  
If you have a Civil War pension index card for your soldier already, you can skip past this page and go right to the explanation of the types of records available here.  
Pension Files.  A pension index card is required in order for us to request and find the pension records at the National Archives—these are the rules that the National Archives sets up, so there are no exceptions. They are indexed on Ancestry, Fold3, and FamilySearch. If you already have a pension index card, you can read about available records here.
Compiled Military Service Records are indexed on Fold3. A pension index card is not required for these records, but we do need to know the soldier's name and regiment number.
Carded Medical Records are not indexed.  All we need is the soldier’s name and regiment when you place your order so we know which box to look in for these records.  
Once you have the correct index entries and/or correct details for your soldier, you can order these Civil War records here.
If you need help locating a Civil War pension index card, we’re happy to help. Contact us here.
War of 1812  (click to open)
If you need help determining what’s available for your War of 1812 soldier, we can assist for a small fee.  Submit your request here.
Potential records for soldiers in the War of 1812 include pensions, service records, and bounty land records. Not every soldier has all of these records available, so you'll need to check the online indexes first.

Service Records are indexed on Fold3 and Ancestry. These have the exact spelling of the soldier's name and the regiment name, so in order to request War of 1812 service records, we have to have an index entry from the service record indexes.
Bounty Land Warrants are indexed in the Bureau of Land Management database.  TIP:  When you're using that index, use the “Authority” dropdown to the "Scrip/Warrant Acts" in order to filter your search. By doing that, you'll find the bounty warrants.  BONUS TIP:  Many soldiers got bounty land twice, for a total of 160 acres.  If you only see one entry for less than 160 acres, there's a good chance they're in there again.  Keep looking!
Bounty Land Applications are indexed on Fold3. The index is only complete A–L. If you're looking for a bounty application later in the alphabet, please contact us first.
Pension Files are almost completely digitized on Fold3 and are no longer accessible at the National Archives. Because of this, we are no longer able to accept orders for War of 1812 pensions.  This includes the files at the end of the alphabet that are not digitized yet.  We unfortunately don't have access to any of the 1812 pensions now.  We can still access bounty land and service records files though!
Once you have the correct index entries, you can order War of 1812 records here.
If you need help determining what’s available for your War of 1812 soldier, we can assist for a small fee.  Submit your request here.
Civil War, Confederate (click to open)

We unfortunately do not have access to Confederate records at the National Archives, and are unable to accept orders for these records.

Confederate service records are available on Fold3 and the National Archives Catalog. Confederate pensions are held at state archives. More information here.

Mexican War (click to open)
If you need help determining what's available for your Mexican War soldier, we can assist with index searches for a small fee. Submit your request here.
Pension Files  A pension index card is required in order for us to request and find the pension records at the National Archives— these are the rules that the National Archives sets up, so there are no exceptions.  There are two different indexes to check: The Mexican War pension index and the Old War pension index. 
Service Records are indexed on Fold3.
Bounty Land Warrants are indexed in the Bureau of Land Management database.  TIP:  When you're using that index, use the “Authority” dropdown to the "Scrip/Warrant Acts" in order to filter your search. By doing that, you'll find the bounty warrants. 
Bounty Land Applications are indexed on Fold3. The index is only complete A–L. If you're looking for a bounty application later in the alphabet, please contact us first.
Once you have the correct index entries, you can order the Mexican War records here.
If you need help determining what's available for your Mexican War soldier, we can assist with index searches for a small fee. Submit your request here.
Indian Wars (click to open)
If you need help determining what's available for your Indian War soldier, we can help for a small fee. Submit your request here.
Pension Files  A pension index card is required in order for us to request and find the pension records at the National Archives— these are the rules that the National Archives sets up, so there are no exceptions.  They are indexed on Fold3 and in the Old War pension index.
Service Records are indexed on Fold3.
Bounty Land Warrants are indexed in the Bureau of Land Management database.  TIP:  When you're using that index, use the “Authority” dropdown to the "Scrip/Warrant Acts" in order to filter your search. By doing that, you'll find the bounty warrants.  BONUS TIP:  Many soldiers got bounty land twice, for a total of 160 acres.  If you only see one entry for less than 160 acres, there's a good chance they're in there again.  Keep looking!
Bounty Land Applications are indexed on Fold3. The index is only complete A–L. If you're looking for a bounty application later in the alphabet, please contact us first.
Once you have the correct index entries, you can order the Indian War records here.
If you need help determining what's available for your Mexican War soldier, we can assist with index searches for a small fee. Submit your request here.
Spanish–American War (click to open)
If you need help locating a Spanish American War pension index card, we can help. Contact us here.
Pension Files A pension index card is required in order for us to request and find the pension records at the National Archives— these are the rules that the National Archives sets up, so there are no exceptions. They are indexed on Ancestry, Fold3, and FamilySearch. (Yes, these are the right indexes, even though it says Civil War.  The Spanish American War pensions are indexed in there too)
Service Records are indexed on Fold3.
Once you have the correct index entries, you can order the records here.
Revolutionary War (click to open)
All Revolutionary War service and pension records are digitized and have been uploaded to Fold3.com and the National Archives online catalog.
Because they are online, we cannot access the original records, accept orders, or assist with records for this war.  
Federal Land Records (click to open)
Federal land records are indexed in the BLM database.
Important note: Most entries in the BLM database have scanned patent images online. That is not the entirety of the records. There are more records available at the National Archives for most every entry in that database. What you're seeing online is not the complete set of records.
You can order land records here.