FAMILYVA program
Presidential Memorial Certificate
Signed certificate bearing the President's signature expressing the nation's grateful recognition of a veteran's military service. Available to next of kin and loved ones of deceased veterans.
Step-by-step guide
What VA looks for: a certificate for the next of kin
- A veteran or Reservist who could be buried in a national cemeteryThe certificate goes with national cemetery burial rules: a veteran without a dishonorable discharge, or a service member who died on duty, among others. The veteran does not have to be buried in a national cemetery.
- A request from the next of kinAt a national cemetery burial, VA presents the certificate without a request. For a private cemetery, the next of kin sends a request.
Source: VA.gov: Presidential Memorial Certificates (opens in new tab); VA.gov: burial in a VA national cemetery (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 38.620 (opens in new tab); National Cemetery Administration: burial and memorial benefits (opens in new tab)
Who is asking for the certificate?
- Next of kin
A Presidential Memorial Certificate is an engraved paper certificate signed by the current president that honors a veteran's service. When the veteran is buried in a national cemetery, VA presents one to the next of kin at the burial. For burial anywhere else, the next of kin can request one.
Source: VA.gov: Presidential Memorial Certificates (opens in new tab); National Cemetery Administration: burial and memorial benefits (opens in new tab)
- Another family member or a close friend
Other family members and close friends can request a certificate too, and VA accepts more than one request for the same veteran. An authorized service representative can ask for them.
- A family member, close friend, or their representativeVA names next of kin, family members, close friends, and an authorized service representative acting for a family member or friend.
- The same national cemetery burial ruleThe veteran or Reservist meets the rules for burial in a national cemetery, wherever the actual burial took place.
Source: VA.gov: Presidential Memorial Certificates (opens in new tab); National Cemetery Administration: burial and memorial benefits (opens in new tab); VA.gov: burial in a VA national cemetery (opens in new tab)
What to gather, and what it shows VA
| Document | What it shows | How VA gets it | Have it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| VA Form 40-0247 The Presidential Memorial Certificate request form. VA.gov also takes the request online. | Who the certificate honors and who is asking | Apply online on VA.gov, or download the form and send it to VA by mail, fax, QuickSubmit, or at a VA regional office. | |
| DD214 or other discharge papers The veteran's certificate of release or discharge, or another discharge document on VA's list. | Service that meets the national cemetery burial rules | Send a copy with the request. If the family does not have it, it can be requested through VA.gov. | Yes |
| Death certificate A copy of the veteran's death certificate. | That the veteran has died | Send a copy with the request. VA says the discharge papers and death certificate help it respond sooner. | Yes |
The request form, discharge papers, and death certificate go to VA, not to BeneVets. Send copies: VA does not return originals.
Steps, in order
- Get free help from a VSO
Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.
Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)
- National cemetery burial? It comes at the service
If the veteran is buried in a national cemetery, VA presents a certificate to the next of kin at the burial. Other family members and friends can still request their own.
Source: VA.gov: Presidential Memorial Certificates (opens in new tab)
- Gather copies of the papers
Get copies of the veteran's DD214 or other discharge papers and the death certificate. Do not send originals.
Source: VA.gov: Presidential Memorial Certificates (opens in new tab); VA.gov: request your military service records (opens in new tab)
- Request the certificate
Apply online on VA.gov, or fill out VA Form 40-0247 and send it with the copies by mail, fax, QuickSubmit, or at a VA regional office.
Source: VA Form 40-0247 (opens in new tab); VA.gov: Presidential Memorial Certificates (opens in new tab)
- One request per person
Send a second request only if VA asks for one. VA.gov lists a phone number for checking on a request.
Source: VA.gov: Presidential Memorial Certificates (opens in new tab)
Good to know
VA accepts more than one request for the same veteran, so several family members can each have a certificate. Send one request per person and wait for VA before sending another.
Source: VA.gov: Presidential Memorial Certificates (opens in new tab); National Cemetery Administration: burial and memorial benefits (opens in new tab)
The certificate is one of the memorial benefits VA provides at no cost, alongside the headstone or marker and the burial flag.
Source: National Cemetery Administration: burial and memorial benefits (opens in new tab)
BeneVets is informational and is not an accredited representative. Free help: an accredited VSO can work through VA benefits with you at no cost. Find an accredited VSO near you
Sources checked October 7, 2026: VA.gov: Presidential Memorial Certificates (opens in new tab), VA Form 40-0247 (opens in new tab), VA.gov: burial in a VA national cemetery (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 38.620 (opens in new tab), National Cemetery Administration: burial and memorial benefits (opens in new tab), VA.gov: request your military service records (opens in new tab), VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)