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An article by Joe Saunders
It is an exciting time to be researching British military history. Over the last few years the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have been transferring around ten million service records to The National Archives (TNA). This is the biggest ever transfer of records to TNA.[1] The process began in 2021 and as of February 2026 over eight million records have been transferred with the work due to complete in 2027.[2] Following transfer these records will be more accessible than ever before.
The work involved in the transfer process is significant, including storing the material safely to archival standards, indexing the records and cataloguing them to TNA’s specifications so that they can be searched via their online catalogue, Discovery.[3]
These records are of national significance for all kinds of researchers. The records being transferred are from all three services: the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, and are of personnel born before 1940, including those who continued their service following the First World War or served between the Wars. [4] Privacy limitations have meant some restrictions on the records being made available, but access will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Many of the records are attestation papers, from when a person joined the service, as well as records of service. Files may also contain additional information such as medical or disciplinary history. [5]
If you are looking for a particular record then you can check the MoD transfer page to see if the record has been transferred yet or is still held by the MoD. Of the records transferred to date, 2.6 million are already available on Discovery. Search results will let you know if the record can be viewed online. If an MoD service personnel record is not viewable online, you will need to request access to the service record using either of the relevant forms below:
• Request military service records for a person born before 1940.
• Visit GOV.UK to request records for those born on or after 1 January 1940.
It is an important point of note that on 2 February 2026, The National Archives implemented new fees for its search and copying services across the board. This is the first rise in TNA’s fees since 2019, bringing this up to a level ‘in line with current delivery costs’. [6] This includes fees relating to MoD records, for which the charges will be £42.25 for digital copies and £47.16 for print copies under the Standard Service. [7]
TNA have appointed Ancestry to digitise, transcribe and publish these new MoD records, but this process will take several years, with estimated completion in 2029. [8]
Pharos Courses:
If you’re interested in finding out more about your British military ancestors then check out the course Your Military Ancestors, tutored by Simon Fowler.
Sources:
[1] Ministry of Defence service records project, https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/our-role/plans-policies-performance-and-projects/our-projects/ministry-of-defence-service-records/.
[2] Ministry of Defence service records project.
[3] Ministry of Defence service records project.
[4] Ministry of Defence service records project.
[5] Ministry of Defence service records project.
[6] The National Archives Updates Service Fees, https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/the-national-archives-updates-service-fees/
[7] Rosemary Collins, ‘Substantial new cost announced for WW2 service record access’, Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/news/tna-fee-ww2-service-records-order
[8] Graham Caldwell, ‘1.7 million WWII campaign medal cards are now online’, Family Tree, https://www.family-tree.co.uk/news/1-7-million-wwii-campaign-medal-cards-are-now-online/.
Image credits:
Spitfire manufacture. WWII World War 2 Castle Bromwich Aeroplane Factory, Birmingham 1940-46. Manufacturers: Vickers Armstrong. Birmingham Museums Trust. [Unsplash Licence]
Eliezer Muller, Guardsmen Buckingham Palace. [Unsplash Licence]