Order
When life feels overwhelming
Order
When life feels overwhelming
Every document you'll need across all 10 military survivor benefit programs — organized by program so you can gather everything once and file without hunting for paperwork mid-process.
Start your family's plan, free to begin
Keep military records, key documents, deadlines, and who handles what in one shared plan your family can see.
Start your family's planMilitary survivor benefits involve many agencies — the VA, DFAS, the National Archives, the Defense Health Agency — each with their own forms, contact points, and timelines. This page consolidates all documents across all 10 programs in one reference so you can gather paperwork once rather than hunting for it mid-filing.
Start with the two universal documents in the next section — then work through the programs that apply to your family. Many documents appear in multiple programs (marriage certificate, death certificate), so gathering everything upfront saves significant time.
Each section links to the corresponding full guide for instructions, timelines, and common mistakes to avoid.
Two documents are required for virtually every military survivor benefit program. Gather them immediately and get multiple certified copies of each.
Every program on this page requires these two documents
DD-214 — Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
The foundational service document. Required for DIC, SBP, burial benefits, headstones, CHAMPVA, Chapter 35, and most state programs. If the original is lost, request a replacement free at archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records. See the DD-214 guide for details.
Certified death certificate — get 10–15 copies
Every agency requires its own original certified copy. Order them from the vital records office or funeral home at time of death — obtaining additional copies later takes time and costs more.
Common documents across multiple programs
Deadline: No strict deadline, but file early — payments are retroactive only to filing date
Documents you'll need
DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge)
Required for nearly every program
Certified death certificate
Required for nearly every program
Marriage certificate
Surviving spouse claims
Birth certificates of surviving children
If claiming additional amounts for children
Prior VA rating decisions
If veteran was already service-connected rated
Medical records linking condition to service
Only if establishing a new service connection after death
Deadline: No strict deadline, but file promptly — retroactive payments require processing time
Documents you'll need
Certified death certificate
Required for nearly every program
DD Form 2656-7 (Verification for Survivor Annuity)
DFAS will send this form or download at dfas.mil
Marriage certificate
Certified copy of marriage to the retiree
Government-issued photo ID
Proof of identity for the surviving beneficiary
Direct deposit banking information
Routing and account number for monthly payments
Deadline: 2-year deadline from date of burial for the burial allowance — missing it forfeits the benefit
Documents you'll need
DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge)
Required for nearly every program
Certified death certificate
Required for nearly every program
VA Form 21P-530 (Application for Burial Benefits)
Covers burial allowance and plot allowance
Itemized funeral home bill or receipt
Required to claim reimbursement
VA Form 40-0247 (Presidential Memorial Certificate)
Separate form — no deadline — request at any time
Documents you'll need
DD-214 or alternate proof of service
DD-214 preferred; alternates accepted if unavailable
VA Form 40-1330
For upright headstones and flat grave markers
VA Form 40-1330M
For medallions affixed to a privately purchased monument
Death certificate or funeral home certification of burial
Required to confirm burial details
Documents you'll need
VA Form 10-10d (Application for CHAMPVA Benefits)
Mail to VHA Office of Community Care, Denver CO
VA rating decision showing permanent & total disability
If claim is based on veteran's P&T disability
Certified death certificate
If claim is based on veteran's service-connected death
Marriage certificate
Surviving spouse claims
Birth certificate(s) of eligible children
Dependent child claims
Other health insurance information
CHAMPVA coordinates as secondary payer
Documents you'll need
Certified death certificate
Required to update DEERS
Military ID card or sponsor's SSN
To identify the service member in DEERS
DEERS enrollment printout after update
Keep this — required for CHCBP enrollment
CHCBP enrollment form (if converting to CHCBP)
Must enroll within 60 days of losing TRICARE
Deadline: No expiration for basic eligibility, but school enrollment affects payment period
Documents you'll need
VA Form 22-5490 (Dependents' Application for VA Education Benefits)
File online at VA.gov or by mail
VA rating decision showing P&T disability or death certificate
Proof of veteran's qualifying status
Marriage certificate
Surviving spouse applicants
Birth certificate
Dependent child applicants
School enrollment documentation
Letter of acceptance or current enrollment
Documents you'll need
No family form required — Casualty Assistance Officer initiates payment
CAO is assigned to the family automatically
DD Form 93 (Record of Emergency Data) — verify on file
Service member's beneficiary designation governs payment
Direct deposit or mailing address for payment
Provide to the CAO
VA Form SGLV 8283 (for SGLI life insurance)
Separate claim for up to $500,000 SGLI — file with VA
Deadline: Notify within the first week to minimize overpayment risk
Documents you'll need
Certified death certificate
Required by both DFAS and VA when reporting the death
Veteran's Social Security number and military ID
To identify the account
VA Form 21P-601 (for accrued benefits)
If veteran had unpaid benefits owed at time of death
Documents you'll need
Government-issued photo ID
Required for next-of-kin requesters
Certified death certificate
For next-of-kin requests after the veteran's death
Proof of relationship
Marriage certificate (spouse), birth certificate (child), etc.
Veteran's SSN or service number and dates of service
To identify the correct record
Start your family's plan, free to begin
Keep military records, key documents, deadlines, and who handles what in one shared plan your family can see.
Start your family's plan