Apply for or replace a medal or veterans badge
Printable version
1. Apply for or replace an armed forces veterans badge
Use this service to apply for or replace an armed forces veterans badge. You can get a veterans badge for regular or reserve service in any of the UK armed forces:
- Royal Navy or Royal Marines聽
- army
- Royal Air Force (RAF)
You cannot apply if you:
- only served in the cadet forces
- served in the armed forces of another country
- served alongside the UK armed forces, for example in the Canadian Navy or Royal Australian Air Force
There鈥檚 no fee if you鈥檙e applying for your first veterans badge, or if you鈥檙e replacing it for the first time.
Veterans badges are sent out automatically when someone leaves the armed forces. So if you鈥檝e left recently, you do not need to apply. You should get your badge聽within 2 months.
If you鈥檙e applying on behalf of someone who鈥檚 died
You can only apply on behalf of a serviceperson who鈥檚 died if you get either:
- a War Widow鈥檚 or Widower鈥檚 Pension
- compensation under the Survivors Guaranteed Income Payment (SGIP)
How to apply聽
You鈥檒l be asked for:
- service number
- dates of service
But you can still apply without this information.
You can also download a veterans badge application form and send it in by post.
After you鈥檝e applied聽
You鈥檒l usually get your veterans badge within 6 to 8 weeks of applying.聽
You can also apply for a medal if you鈥檙e eligible.
Get help
Medals and veterans badges enquiries
Freephone (UK): 0800 085 3600
Telephone (from overseas): +44 141 224 3600
Find out about call charges
2. Apply for a medal
You can apply for a medal if you served in the armed forces and are eligible.
Find out the types of medal the Ministry of Defence (MOD) issues.
You can only apply for World War 1 medals if the original was returned.
Eligibility
You can apply if you were awarded a medal for service in any of the following:
- the army
- the Royal Navy
- the Royal Marines
- the Royal Air Force (RAF)
- the Home Guard
- the reserve forces
You must meet the eligibility requirements for the medal you鈥檙e applying for.
If you鈥檙e applying for someone else鈥檚 medal
You can apply on behalf of a veteran if you have lasting power of attorney.
If the veteran has died, you must be the official next of kin. The general rules for the official next of kin are:
- the person鈥檚 spouse or civil partner has the first claim to the medal, and then the eldest child
- if there鈥檚 no spouse or child, the parent is entitled to apply
- if there鈥檚 no spouse, child or parent, the eldest grandchild is entitled to apply
How to apply
Download and fill in the medal application form.
Apply through your unit if you鈥檙e still serving in the armed forces.
If you鈥檙e applying on behalf of someone else, you must include a copy of either your lasting power of attorney or a death certificate.
Post the form, along with any supporting documents, to the MOD Medal Office - the address is on the form. Do not send the form by email.
After you鈥檝e applied
You鈥檒l usually get your medal within 12 weeks of sending the application form.
You can apply for a replacement medal if the original鈥檚 been stolen or accidentally destroyed, for example in a fire.
Get help
If you need to contact MOD about your medal application, email [email protected].
3. Replace a medal
You can only get a replacement medal from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) if it was stolen or destroyed in a house fire or flood. The medal must have been awarded for service after World War 1. You鈥檒l have to pay for the replacement medal plus a fee.
You鈥檒l need to show proof by providing a copy of either a:
- police crime report聽
- successful insurance claim listing the individual items
You can also buy replacement medals from a licensed medal dealer.
There鈥檚 a different process if you鈥檙e replacing a veterans badge.
How to apply聽
Download and fill in the medal application form to ask for a replacement medal. Post the form to the MOD Medal Office, along with:
- a letter explaining how the medal was stolen or destroyed
- a copy of the police report or insurance claim
The address is on the form.
Contact your unit鈥檚 human resources (HR) department if you鈥檙e currently serving in the armed forces.
After you鈥檝e applied
You鈥檒l get a letter from the Medal Office - usually within 10 working days of when your application鈥檚 received.
You鈥檒l be told how much the replacement will cost and how to pay if your application鈥檚 successful. The cost depends on the type of medal. It includes an administration fee.
You鈥檒l get the replacement within 4 weeks from the Medal Office getting your payment.
4. Apply for a UK merchant seafarers veterans badge
You can apply for a UK merchant seafarers veterans badge if you:
- were a Merchant Navy seafarer or fisherman
- served in a vessel used to support the UK Armed Forces
If you鈥檙e applying on behalf of someone who鈥檚 died
You can only apply on behalf of a veteran who鈥檚 died if you get a War Widow鈥檚 or Widower鈥檚 Pension.
How to apply
You can apply for a badge through the .
Members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary
If you鈥檙e a member of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, apply for the armed forces veterans badge.
5. Apply for a UK merchant navy medal
You can apply for a UK merchant navy medal if you were a member of the merchant navy and you:
- served in a vessel used to support the UK armed forces
- meet the eligibility requirements for the medal you鈥檙e applying for
How to apply
Complete the application form and send it to the address on the form. You鈥檒l also need to send your seaman鈥檚 discharge book.
If you鈥檙e applying for someone else鈥檚 medal
You can apply for someone else if either:
- they鈥檝e died
- you have lasting power of attorney
You must include a copy of the death certificate or your lasting power of attorney.
If the veteran has died, you must be the official next of kin. The general rules are:
- the person鈥檚 spouse or civil partner has first claim to the medal, and then the eldest child
- if there鈥檚 no spouse or child, the eldest grandchild is entitled to apply
After you鈥檝e applied
You鈥檒l get a decision within 30 working days of your application being received.
Get help
Email [email protected] if you need help with your application.
Replace a lost or stolen medal
You鈥檒l need to complete the application form if your medal is lost or has been stolen.
6. If you want to appeal or complain
You can write to or email the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Medal Office if you want to:
- appeal a decision
- complain about how you鈥檝e been treated
You should include any new evidence you have if you make an appeal.
MOD Medal Office
Innsworth House
Imjin Barracks
Gloucester
GL3 1HW
MOD Medal Office appeals
[email protected]
MOD Medal Office complaints
[email protected]