Requests received from banks, administrators of estates, etc., for proof of death to cash bonds, collect insurance principals, settle estates, etc., are processed by providing requested information only to the extent required by the Freedom of Information Act. Furnish additional REQUESTED information only with the written consent of the next of kin.
Some items releasable under FOIA applicable to estate settlement:
Name
Age (Date of Birth)
City/town and state of last known address and the date of address
(NOTE: street address is NOT releasable)
Date of Service
Marital Status
Dependents (including name, sex, and age)
For deceased service personnel, the following items also may generally be released:
Date and place of birth
Date and geographical location of death
Place of burial
For a complete list of items releasable, see NPRC 1864.102.
DO NOT furnish the last known address in response to requests received for the whereabouts of the veteran, NOK or emergency addressee to settle estate. Offer to forward, without a fee, requests which are clearly in the best interest of the veteran or NOK. If member is deceased, forward request to emergency address of NOK and advise requester.
If requester is a foreign financial institution or foreign private commercial concern, coordinate with the respective service department. DO NOT furnish address. DO NOT offer to forward.
SOURCE: NPRC 1865.16 AND NPRC 1865.49