DMDC Active Duty Military Searches and Verification Provided by Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service

What Is the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act?

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protects military personnel from various court actions, including evictions and repossessions. It can come into play with issues such as rental agreements, security deposits, prepaid rent, eviction, installment contracts, credit card interest rates, mortgage interest rates, mortgage foreclosure, civil judicial proceedings, domestic relations cases, and income tax payments.

The SCRA covers those who are recently retired from the military as well as those on active duty. It also protects reservists, members of the National Guard called to active duty and sometimes dependents of military members as well (such as in the case of evictions).

The idea behind this law is that should be able to perform their duties in the field without having to worry about personal matters at home, such as making car payments.

Because of these protections, plaintiffs who file suit against debtors must deliver a military verification to the court. This is a document that says whether the defendant is a servicemember. The court wants to know if the person is on active duty. If they are not, the case can go forward. But if they are, the correct steps must be taken so the servicemembers’ SCRA rights are not violated.

The 6 Percent Rule

One of the most widely known benefits under the SCRA is the servicemembers’ right to an interest rate of 6 percent. This rate applies to car loans, mortgages, credit card balances and any other type of loan. Servicemembers may be entitled to this special lower rate for up to one year after termination of active duty.

How does the 6 percent interest rule work?

Military personnel are supposed to send letters to lenders requesting a reduction in their interest rate. They should also include a copy of their military orders. If lenders do not comply with the request, they may be found in violation of the SCRA. Violations can cost lenders millions in fines and restitution. And although the law puts the onus on the servicemember to inform the lender of the change, in practice, many lenders are proactive to alert servicemembers of possible benefits under the SCRA.

Lenders should conduct regular searches to determine if any of their customers have gone on active military duty. However, any contracts or agreements servicemembers enter into after being called to active duty are generally not eligible for SCRA protections (but the Military Lending Act may come into play ) See Section 207, SCRA.

Delay of Court and Administrative Proceedings

The SCRA allows active duty servicemembers who can’t appear in court due to their military duties to postpone the case. Servicemembers should make the request in writing, specifying how their military duty affects their ability to appear. They should also tell the court when they will be able to appear. This should be accompanied by a letter from their commanding officer, attesting to the veracity of their statement. If the court denies the delay, it must appoint the servicemember a lawyer. (See Section 202, SCRA)

Termination of Leases

The SCRA allows active duty servicemembers who receive orders for a permanent change of station or a deployment for 90 days or more to break leases without penalty. This rule includes leases for automobiles in cases when the PCS is outside of the continental U.S. or when deployment is for 180 days or more.

Eviction for Nonpayment of Rent

Although the SCRA does not excuse soldiers from paying rent, it may provide some relief. Landlords must get a court order to evict a military member or their dependents. The court will consider whether the servicemember’s military service has materially affected their failure to pay. If it is, the court may stay the eviction when the military member or their dependents request it. The stay is usually three months.

Default Judgment Protection

If the court enters a default judgment against a servicemember during their term of active duty or 60 days thereafter, the SCRA allows the servicemember to reopen it and set it aside. However, the servicemember must show that their service prevented them from showing up in court.

Life Insurance Protection

The SCRA also allows servicemembers to request deferment of certain commercial life insurance premiums and other payments during military service and for two years after. If the Department of Veterans Affairs approves the request, the United States will guarantee the payments, the policy shall continue in effect and the servicemember will have two years after the period of military service to repay all premiums and interest. The SCRA increases the amount of insurance this program will cover to either $250,000 or the maximum limit of the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance.(See Section 401, SCRA)

Need a Military Status Search Completed?

If you need to verify military service records to find out if an individual is in active duty, click the link below to begin placing an order with us. We conduct active duty military searches in compliance with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, and offer affidavits upon request attesting to the military records we find. In the case where you are searching for an alternative military service record, you may need to reach out to a local Veteran’s Affairs office. If you have any other questions on how to request military records, feel free to reach out via our contact us page and we will respond as soon as possible!

CLICK HERE TO VERIFY MILITARY STATUS

FAQS

The Defense Manpower Data Center, commonly known as the DMDC, maintains official military service records for members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. It tracks personnel data to determine benefit entitlements and confirm military status for various legal and financial purposes. Through DMDC verification of military status, you can verify whether an individual or family member is serving on active duty on a specific date. The system’s database is a secure and trusted federal resource for verifying service information.

A military status verification confirms whether a person is currently serving on active duty in any branch of the uniformed services. It’s often required when lenders, landlords, or legal professionals need proof of a person’s eligibility for SCRA protections.

This verification helps determine if an individual is a military member, retiree, or veteran and ensures compliance with federal law before taking any court action. Accurate verification prevents errors and safeguards the rights of service members under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

You can verify someone’s military service status through a secure verification platform such as the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service. This service allows you to confirm whether an individual is currently serving on active duty without needing a Social Security Number or date of birth.

By submitting the person’s name and other identifying details, you’ll receive an emailed verification confirming their service status, branch, and eligibility for SCRA protections. You also have the option to add a notarized affidavit which includes the verification certificate. Using this verified report helps lenders, landlords, and legal professionals maintain compliance and safeguard servicemembers’ rights under federal law.

The DMDC report, also called a certificate, displays whether the individual was on active duty on the specified date or had recent service within the prior 367 days. It may include the person’s branch as well as the start and end dates of military service, if available. Some reports also note pending call-ups or future service obligations. This document serves as official proof that can be presented in court, a finance office, or any department requiring confirmation of military status.

Most military records are not public due to privacy protections under federal law. While certain information can be released for verification purposes, full personnel files remain confidential. You can confirm someone’s military status through the DMDC if you have their date of birth or Social Security Number. If this information is unavailable, you can use the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service (SCRACVS), which allows you to verify military service without those details, helping ensure compliance with privacy rules while meeting legal verification requirements.

The Defense Manpower Data Center operates under the Department of Defense and is overseen by senior personnel within the Enterprise Services Directorate. In recent years, Jack Messer has served as director, ensuring accurate data management and system security for all uniformed services.

The department coordinates with defense offices handling pay, benefits, and entitlements for military members, retirees, and family members. Its secure infrastructure helps preserve accurate military records used by federal agencies and private organizations for verification purposes.

Yes, the DMDC offers a free option to verify military status online, but it requires a Social Security Number and/or date of birth to complete the request. Many professionals choose fast and efficient services, such as the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service, for convenience. SCRACVS allows you to submit verification requests without an SSN or DOB and provides military affidavits, which the DMDC does not. Using a paid verification service can save time, reduce errors, and simplify compliance for law firms and creditors.

As a creditor or landlord, you must confirm an individual’s active duty military status before pursuing actions like foreclosure or eviction. If you lack identifying details such as a Social Security Number, you can use SCRACVS to complete the verification process securely. This ensures that your actions remain compliant with SCRA protections for service members and their families.

A family member can request a DMDC verification on behalf of a service member when there is a legitimate need, such as confirming active duty status for SCRA protections, accessing benefits, or managing financial matters. The request typically requires details like the service member’s full name, date of birth, or Social Security Number.

When processed through the DMDC’s secure online system or the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service, the resulting document serves as official proof of military status. This helps families verify eligibility, manage entitlements, and maintain accurate service records within the Department of Defense’s database.

A “no information found” response indicates that no records matched the submitted data, meaning the individual was not on active duty during the 367-day window. You can rely on this result as proof of due diligence, provided your submission details were accurate and complete. A “no record” result is usually a valid finding for SCRA compliance. Always keep the DMDC certificate or SCRACVS verification document in your records as confirmation of your lawful inquiry.

If you lack a Social Security Number or date of birth, the DMDC system cannot process your request directly. In such cases, you can use the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service, which performs verification without requiring personal identifiers. This method is especially useful for lenders, attorneys, and landlords who need proof of military service but have limited information. SCRACVS issues legally recognized verification documents accepted by courts and government offices across the United States.

Relying solely on an individual’s statement about their military status can expose you to legal and financial risks. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, certain protections apply automatically to active duty members, regardless of whether they disclose their status. Verification through the SCRACVS ensures compliance and prevents unlawful actions against service members. Proper documentation confirms eligibility for SCRA protections and demonstrates that you acted responsibly when dealing with personnel covered under federal law.