DD Form 114 – Fill Out and Use This PDF

DD Form 114 PDF Details

The Military Pay Order is a Department of Defense document that authorizes the opening, adjustment, or closing of a service member's pay record. It is a non-fillable PDF in its standard format, meaning all fields are entered by hand on the printed copy or via a PDF editing tool before printing. The document is protected under the Privacy Act of 1974, which restricts access to the personal information it contains and prohibits disclosure to unauthorized parties.

Purpose and Authorized Uses

This document has three distinct authorized uses within the military pay system. The first is opening a new pay record, which occurs when a service member enters active duty, transfers to a new branch or component, or changes pay status after a period of inactive duty. The second is adjusting an existing pay record, which covers modifications to allotments, allowances, special pays, tax withholding designations, and other entitlements. The third authorized use is closing a pay record, which takes place when a service member separates from service, retires, or transfers to a status that terminates their existing pay account.

The form operates under strict authorization controls. Only a certifying officer, typically a unit commander or a designated finance officer, can sign the document. The service member does not sign the form and does not initiate the request directly. The disbursing officer receives the completed document and processes the change in the Defense Joint Military Pay System.

When This Form Is Required

This document is required in several specific circumstances:

• Entry into active duty or the Reserve component: A new pay record must be opened when a service member first enters military service or transitions from inactive reserve status to active duty.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move: Depending on the gaining and losing pay accounts, a pay record adjustment may be required when a service member transfers to a new duty station.
• Change in pay status: Changes to allotment amounts, tax exemptions, or special pay entitlements require a formal adjustment through this form.
• Separation or retirement: When a service member leaves active duty, retires, or transitions to a Reserve component with a different pay status, the existing pay record must be officially closed.
• Corrections to pay record errors: If an error in the pay record is identified, a corrective action through this form may be required alongside other supporting documentation.

Who Uses This Form

This document is used by personnel across all branches of the United States Armed Forces. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard service members may require it whenever their pay status changes. National Guard and Reserve component members also use this form when transitioning between active and inactive duty status or when joining a new component.

Enlisted personnel and junior officers often interact with this form through their unit's administrative staff or first sergeant's office. Officers typically coordinate through their S1 or G1 personnel section. Civilian employees of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) may process the approved form once it reaches the finance center.

Key Fields and What They Mean

The form requires the following information to be completed accurately:

• Service Member's Full Name: The legal name as it appears on the service member's military identification card and pay records. Nicknames or shortened names will cause the form to be rejected.
• Social Security Number (SSN) or Personal Identifier: Used to locate the correct pay record in the military pay system. A single transposed digit will result in a processing error or an incorrect adjustment to another service member's account.
• Symbol Number Entered by Disbursing Officer: An internal tracking code assigned by the disbursing office that links the document to the specific pay account being modified. This field is completed by the disbursing officer, not the service member or certifying officer.
• Reason for Change: A clear description of what change is being authorized. This field should include the type of action (open, adjust, or close), the effective date, and any relevant details such as the allotment amount being changed or the separation date being applied.
• Typed Name and Grade of Certifying Officer: The printed full name and military grade of the officer authorizing the pay record change. Both must be legible and complete for the disbursing officer to validate the authorization.
• Signature of Certifying Officer: An original handwritten signature is required. Photocopied signatures, stamped signatures, or electronic signature images are not accepted.

Privacy Act Notice

This form is subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). The authority for collecting the information is 37 U.S.C., which governs military pay. The information is used solely to process pay record actions and is shared only with agencies that have a direct need to access the data for the purposes stated on the form. Providing the information is mandatory: failure to provide complete and accurate information may result in inability to process the pay record action. Service members have the right to access their own pay records and to request amendment of records they believe are incorrect.

Common Errors That Cause Rejections

Several types of errors routinely cause this form to be returned without processing:

• Mismatched name or SSN that does not correspond to the pay record on file
• Missing or incomplete certifying officer signature or typed name
• A vague or incomplete description in the reason for change field
• Using an outdated edition of the form instead of the current OCT version
• A photocopied or stamped signature where an original signature is required

Reviewing each field before the form leaves the unit for the finance office can prevent delays in pay. Corrections after submission require a new form to be completed and signed before resubmission.

Processing and Submission

Once all fields are completed and the certifying officer has signed the printed form, it is submitted to the unit's disbursing officer or the nearest military finance service center. The disbursing officer reviews the form, assigns the internal symbol number, and processes the requested action in the pay system. The service member's Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) will reflect the change once the update is completed. If the change is not reflected after 30 days, contact the finance office with the date of submission and a copy of the completed form.