Form 40-1330 at a glance
What it is: This is the CLAIM FOR STANDARD GOVERNMENT HEADSTONE OR MARKER.
Where and when to file: FAX VA Form 40-1330 claims and supporting documents to 1-800-455-7143. IMPORTANT: If faxing more than one claim - fax each claim package (claim plus supporting documents) individually, i.e., disconnect the call and redial for each submission.
For Veterans who died on or after November 1, 1990 - VA will furnish a burial headstone or marker for the grave of any eligible deceased Veteran in a private or local government cemetery regardless of whether or not the grave is marked with a privately-purchased, permanent and durable headstone or marker. For Veterans who died before November 1, 1990 - VA will furnish a burial headstone or marker for the UNMARKED GRAVE of any eligible deceased Veteran. The applicant must certify by checking "NO" in block 4 that a privately-purchased, permanent and durable headstone or marker or Government-furnished headstone or marker is not present on the grave.
What to bring and attach to Form 40-1330
Please attach a copy of the deceased Veteran's discharge certificate (DD Form 214 or equivalent), the VA Pre-Need Eligibility Determination letter, or a copy of other official document(s) establishing qualifying military service. If you are unable to locate copies of military records, apply anyway, as VA will attempt to obtain records necessary to make an eligibility determination. Do not send original documents; they will not be returned.
A filled-in Form 40-1330 example: a funeral director claims an unclaimed Veteran's headstone
How to fill out Form 40-1330, box by box
Type of request and remains not buried
In block 1, TYPE OF REQUEST, check INITIAL REQUEST (First time) or REPLACEMENT; for a REPLACEMENT, specify the reason in Block 33, Remarks.
2. Check box if remains are not buried and explain under check box 2 (e.g., buried at sea, remains scattered, etc.): remains not buried.
Name of deceased to be inscribed and marked grave
3. Enter the NAME OF DECEASED TO BE INSCRIBED ON HEADSTONE OR MARKER (No Nicknames or titles permitted): FIRST (Or Initial), MIDDLE (Or Initial), LAST and SUFFIX (Sr., Jr., II, III, etc.).
4. IS GRAVE CURRENTLY MARKED WITH A PRIVATELY PURCHASED, PERMANENT AND DURABLE MARKER? Mark YES or NO.
Race or ethnicity and sex
5. RACE OR ETHNICITY: You may select more than one. Information will be used for statistical purposes only. 6. SEX (FEMALE or MALE): Information will be used for statistical purposes only.
Veteran's social security no., place of birth, date of birth and date of death
Under VETERAN'S SERVICE AND IDENTIFYING INFORMATION, use numbers only, e.g., 05-15-1941. 7. Enter the VETERAN'S SOCIAL SECURITY NO. AND/OR SERVICE NO.: SSN (999-99-9999), SVC. NO (99999999).
8. Enter the PLACE OF BIRTH (City and State or Country). 9A. Enter the DATE OF BIRTH and 9B. the DATE OF DEATH: MONTH DAY YEAR.
Periods of active military duty, highest rank attained and prisoner of war
PERIODS OF ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY (For additional space use Block 33): 10A. Enter the DATE(S) ENTERED and 10B. the DATE(S) SEPARATED: MONTH DAY YEAR.
11. HIGHEST RANK ATTAINED (Optional, but if included, no pay grade).
The applicant must submit supporting documentation to VA to have the highest rank and/or awards inscribed on the headstone or marker.
12. PRISONER OF WAR (Optional, but if included, documentation must be provided): check POW or FORMER POW (FPOW).
Branch of service and valor or Purple Heart awards
13. BRANCH OF SERVICE: Check applicable box(es) - must be consistent with rank in Box 11. More than one branch of service is permitted, subject to space availability.
14. VALOR OR PURPLE HEART AWARD(S) (Optional, but if included, documentation must be provided).
Type of headstone or marker, periods of war and emblem of belief
15. TYPE OF HEADSTONE OR MARKER REQUESTED (Please ensure marker selection is permitted at selected cemetery) (Check one).
16. PERIODS OF WAR (Optional, but if included, check all applicable box(es)).
VA will inscribe authorized country names (e.g., Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.) as the periods of war only if the individual served in country.
17. EMBLEM OF BELIEF (Optional): enter the EMBLEM NUMBER (Specify) (See page 5 for available emblems).
Additional inscription
18. ADDITIONAL INSCRIPTION/TERM OF ENDEARMENT (Optional) (Space will vary according to type of marker). The applicant must request an additional inscription item in block 18, and each request is subject to VA approval.
Name and mailing address of applicant, and applicant is
19A. Enter the NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS OF APPLICANT (No., Street, City, State, and ZIP Code), 19B. the DAYTIME OR CELL TELEPHONE NUMBER OF APPLICANT (Include Area Code), 19C. the E-MAIL ADDRESS and 19D. the FAX NO. (Optional).
20. APPLICANT IS: FAMILY MEMBER (Specify relationship), VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER or PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE (Person responsible for decisions concerning burial of decedent; include written authorization).
Remains unclaimed and Presidential Memorial Certificate
21. IF REMAINS ARE UNCLAIMED, APPLICANT IS: FUNERAL HOME (that received remains) or CEMETERY (where remains are buried).
22. PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL CERTIFICATE (bearing the signature of the current President): enter the number you request to be mailed to you under NUMBER REQUESTED. VA will send one certificate if no quantity is indicated and "none" is not selected.
Signature of applicant and date
The applicant signs in block 23; the person agreeing to accept delivery (consignee) in block 27, and the cemetery or other responsible official in block 31. If there is no official on duty at the cemetery, the signature of the person responsible for the property listed in block 29 is required. VA will not accept entries of "None," "Not Applicable," or "NA". State Veterans' Cemeteries are not required to complete blocks 25 through 33.
CERTIFICATION: By signing below I certify the headstone or marker will be installed in the cemetery listed in block 29 at no expense to the Government and all information entered on this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
23. SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT. 24. DATE (MM/DD/YYYY).
Consignee that will accept prepaid delivery
25. NAME AND DELIVERY ADDRESS OF BUSINESS (CONSIGNEE) THAT WILL ACCEPT PREPAID DELIVERY (No., Street, City, State, and ZIP Code; P.O. BOX IS NOT ACCEPTABLE); MUST SIGN IN BLOCK 27. 26. DAYTIME OR CELL PHONE NO. OF CONSIGNEE (Include Area Code). 27. PRINTED NAME AND SIGNATURE OF PERSON REPRESENTING BUSINESS (CONSIGNEE) NAMED IN BLOCK 25. 28. DATE (MM/DD/YYYY).
Cemetery or family plot where grave is located
29. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CEMETERY OR FAMILY PLOT WHERE GRAVE IS LOCATED (No., Street, City, State, and ZIP Code); MUST SIGN IN BLOCK 31. 30. DAYTIME PHONE NO. OF CEMETERY (Include Area Code). 31. PRINTED NAME AND SIGNATURE OF CEMETERY OR OTHER RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL. 32. DATE (MM/DD/YYYY).
Remarks, station no. and section/grave no.
33. REMARKS. 34. STATION NO. (State/Tribal Cemetery Only). 35. SECTION/GRAVE NO. (State/Tribal Cemetery Only).
Common questions about Form 40-1330
What should you not put on a gravestone?
VA will not inscribe graphics, emblems or pictures. VA will inscribe authorized emblems of belief, the Medal of Honor, and the Southern Cross of Honor for Civil War Confederates.
Where do I file it?
ELECTRONICALLY submit your claim and supporting documents by using Quick Submit at https://eauth.va.gov/accessva/. You will be instructed to register during your first sign-on attempt. Multiple claims can be submitted electronically via Quick Submit. If you prefer, you may MAIL claims to: NCA FP Evidence Intake Center PO Box 5237 Janesville, WI 53547
Are there fees?
Should you have questions when filling out this form, you may contact the Applicant Assistance Unit toll free at: 1-800-697-6947, or at: ask.va.gov. If additional assistance is needed to complete this claim, contact the nearest VA Regional Office, national cemetery, or a local veterans' organization. No fee should be paid in connection with the preparation of this claim.
Is there a penalty?
PENALTY: The law provides severe penalties, which include fine or imprisonment, or both, for the willful submission of any statement or evidence of a material fact, knowing it to be false or for the fraudulent acceptance of any benefit to which you are not entitled.
Sources
[1] Form 40-1330 (MAR 2025), Claim for Standard Government Headstone or Marker, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (the Official source link on this page).
