By Marcus Holloway — Independent Veterans Benefits Writer | Reviewed & updated August 1, 2026
Independent and non-government. This site is independent and is NOT affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or any government agency. For official information, visit VA.gov.
A Small Certificate That Carries a Great Deal of Meaning
A Presidential Memorial Certificate is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President of the United States, issued to honor the memory of a veteran who died and was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. It is not a check, not a benefit payment, and not something that changes any other claim a family may have filed — it is simply a formal, national acknowledgment that a life of service is remembered. For families who lost a veteran to mesothelioma after decades of quiet exposure to asbestos during their time in uniform, a Presidential Memorial Certificate can feel like a rare moment where the country pauses, in writing, to say the service mattered.
Requesting one is also, refreshingly, one of the lower-effort steps in the whole landscape of veterans’ paperwork. There is no fee, no waiting list tied to income, and generally no lengthy back-and-forth. In this guide, we will walk through what the certificate looks like, who is generally eligible to request one, what documents are typically needed, how long it may take, and what families do with the certificate once it arrives.
Part 1: What a Presidential Memorial Certificate Actually Is
The program dates back to 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed the first certificates. Today the certificate bears a statement honoring the veteran’s service, along with the presidential seal, and it comes signed with the current President’s signature. It measures roughly 8.5 by 11 inches and is printed on quality paper meant to be framed rather than filed away in a drawer.
This certificate is separate and distinct from a burial flag, a headstone or marker, and any survivor benefit such as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. Requesting one does not affect eligibility for those other honors or benefits, and requesting one of those other honors does not automatically produce a certificate — each has its own process. The VA’s National Cemetery Administration administers the program, and the official overview and request form can be found on the VA’s official request page.
Part 2: Who May Request a Presidential Memorial Certificate
Eligibility for the certificate itself is centered on the veteran: generally, any veteran who died and whose service ended under conditions other than dishonorable may be honored with a certificate, regardless of when the service occurred or when the death took place. There is no time limit that closes the door on requesting one, even if a veteran passed away many years ago.
As for who may submit the request, the program is intentionally broad. Those who can generally request a Presidential Memorial Certificate include:
- The next of kin, such as a surviving spouse, child, parent, or sibling.
- A close friend of the deceased veteran, when no next of kin is available or willing to request one.
- A funeral director, often as part of arranging the veteran’s services, on behalf of the family.
- A representative from a veterans’ organization acting for the family.
Because more than one person is often eligible to ask, families sometimes wonder whether multiple certificates can be issued. Generally, more than one certificate may be provided upon request — for example, so that both a surviving spouse and an adult child can each have their own to frame. If your family is also working through a related benefits application, our guide to the survivor benefits application process may be a useful companion, since both efforts often happen in the same season of loss.
Part 3: How to Request the Certificate — VA.gov, Mail, and Fax
Families generally have three ways to submit a request, and none of them require a lawyer, an appointment, or a fee:
- Online. The VA.gov request tool walks a requester through entering the veteran’s information and uploading supporting documents directly, which tends to be the fastest route for families comfortable online.
- By mail. A completed VA Form 40-0247, along with copies of supporting documents, can be mailed to the Memorial Certificates processing center listed on the form.
- By fax. The same form and documents may be faxed to the number listed on VA Form 40-0247, which some funeral homes prefer when submitting requests as part of arranging services.
Whichever method a family chooses, it is worth double-checking the current mailing address, fax number, and online instructions on the official VA page before sending anything, since processing centers and contact details can be updated from time to time. The VA’s official program page keeps the current version of the form and submission instructions.
Part 4: Documents Families Generally Need
The paperwork burden here is modest compared with most VA processes, but a request still needs enough evidence to confirm the veteran’s identity, service, and discharge status. Depending on the situation, a request generally includes:
- Proof of honorable service and discharge — typically a copy of the veteran’s discharge papers (DD Form 214 or the equivalent for an earlier era of service).
- Proof of death — usually a copy of the death certificate.
- Identifying information — the veteran’s full name, date of birth, date of death, and service dates, along with the requester’s name, mailing address, and relationship to the veteran.
If a family cannot locate the veteran’s discharge paperwork, that is not necessarily a dead end. The National Archives and the VA can often help verify service records in these situations, and our overview of requesting a veteran’s service and claims records explains one path to tracking down documents that may have been misplaced over the years, which can also support a certificate request when the original discharge paper cannot be found.
Part 5: How Long It Generally Takes
Processing time for a Presidential Memorial Certificate can vary depending on the submission method, the completeness of the paperwork, and current volume at the processing center. Online submissions with all documents attached tend to move faster than mailed requests, since there is no transit time and less chance of a missing page. As a general rule, families should expect the process to take several weeks rather than days, and mailing or fax submissions may take somewhat longer than an online request.
If a certificate is needed for a specific occasion, such as a memorial service or an anniversary of the veteran’s passing, it is wise to submit the request as early as possible and to check the VA’s current guidance on typical turnaround times before promising a date to family or a funeral home. Because timelines can shift, the VA’s own page is the most reliable source for current processing expectations rather than any fixed number of days.
Part 6: How Families Display and Use the Certificate
Once the certificate arrives, most families choose to frame it, often alongside a folded flag, service photographs, medals, or other keepsakes. The VA does not provide a frame with the certificate, so many families order one separately from a local frame shop or an online retailer sized for standard 8.5-by-11 documents. A few practical notes worth knowing:
- The certificate itself is provided at no cost; any frame, matting, or display case is a separate purchase the family makes on their own.
- Some families display the certificate at a memorial service before framing it for the home.
- Because more than one certificate may generally be requested, siblings or extended family sometimes each request their own so every household can have a copy to display.
- The certificate can be requested even years after a veteran’s death, so there is no need to rush this decision during the most difficult early days of grief.
For families navigating other paperwork at the same time — discharge status questions, medical retirement records, or other documentation tied to a veteran’s service — our piece on how medical retirement can intersect with VA disability may help clarify which records apply to which process, since a certificate request and a benefits claim draw on some of the same underlying paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a deadline to request a Presidential Memorial Certificate?
No. A certificate may generally be requested at any time after a veteran’s death, whether that death was recent or occurred decades ago.
Does a Presidential Memorial Certificate come with any money or benefit?
No. The certificate is a paper honor recognizing the veteran’s service. It is entirely separate from monetary benefits such as burial allowances or survivor compensation, and requesting one does not affect eligibility for those other programs.
Can more than one family member receive a certificate for the same veteran?
Generally, yes. More than one certificate may be provided upon request, which allows a surviving spouse, children, or other close family to each have their own copy.
What if the veteran’s discharge papers were lost?
Families in this situation can generally work with the National Archives or the VA to locate service records, which can then support a certificate request. It is a common issue for older service records and is usually workable with a little patience.
Does the veteran need to have died from a service-connected condition, like mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, to qualify?
No. Eligibility for the certificate is based on the veteran’s honorable service and discharge status, not the cause of death. A veteran who died from mesothelioma, another illness, or unrelated causes is generally treated the same way for this program.
Who signs the certificate?
The certificate bears the signature of the current President of the United States at the time it is issued, along with the presidential seal.
Can a funeral director request the certificate on a family’s behalf?
Yes. Funeral directors are among those generally permitted to submit a request, often as part of coordinating a veteran’s memorial arrangements.
Resources
- VA — National Cemetery Administration certificate program — official program overview, eligibility, and the online request tool.
- VA Benefits Portal — the broader menu of VA benefits and family support programs.
- VA Facility Locator — useful for finding a nearby VA regional office if a family prefers to ask questions in person.
- To find a Veterans Service Officer for related benefits questions, contact your local VFW, DAV, or American Legion chapter, or your county veterans service office.
Final Thoughts: A Simple Way to Say the Service Was Seen
Grief has a way of piling small tasks on top of a family that is already carrying too much. Requesting a Presidential Memorial Certificate is one of the few tasks in that pile that asks very little in return for something that can mean a great deal — a document that will hang on a wall, sit on a shelf, or travel to a grandchild’s home someday, quietly saying that a veteran’s service was recognized by the country they served. Whether your family lost a veteran to mesothelioma after years of hidden asbestos exposure, or to something else entirely, this small certificate is one gentle, low-effort way to mark that the service, and the person, are remembered.
Legal disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult a VA-accredited attorney, claims agent, or a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) about your specific claim.