Important Warning: Consider Alternatives Before Using Touchstone Research Group for DD-214 Requests.
Dear Fellow Veterans,
I strongly recommend using the free and efficient service provided directly through the National Archives for your DD-214 retrieval needs. Search the web for VetRecs Archives.
Please proceed with caution if you're considering using the Touchstone Research Group's "DD-214 Emergency Service" advertised for a fee of $119. In my recent experience, their promised expedited service fell short. Their phone - (800)283-3214 / 800-At-DD214.
Here's a concise summary of my experience. If you'd like a more detailed account, read on below.
Short Version:
On May 30, 2023, I ordered Touchstone's express DD-214 retrieval service at 10:22 am, only to receive my DD-214 directly from the National Archives 38 minutes later. When I promptly requested a refund from Touchstone, I received a denial after nine days. I found their express service fee excessive given the speedy, free services provided through official channels like the National Archives.
TL;DR Version:
The term "Stupid Tax," as my dad used to call it, refers to the unnecessary costs incurred due to a lack of information or hasty decision-making. My aim here is to prevent at least 100 of my fellow veterans from paying this tax, as I did in May 2023.
My journey began when I needed to secure a loan for a new property purchase. The loan was processed through the Texas Veterans Land Board, a terrific service for Texas Vets that required my DD-214. Having misplaced my original copy, I needed to obtain an official one. After much searching and by pure luck I found the National Archives, where I submitted my request on May 17.
Fast forward to May 30, after two weeks of waiting and growing impatient, I stumbled upon Touchstone Research Group during another web search. Their "DD-214 Emergency Service" for $119, which promised "Same Day, commonly within 2-3 days" delivery, seemed like the perfect solution to my issue. Unfortunately, it wasn't.
At 11:00 am on the same day, I received my DD-214 from the National Archives. Despite my attempts to contact Touchstone for a refund and to cancel my request, I was met with silence on all fronts. I resorted to their Support Ticket System, which promised a response "almost always" within 48 hours. Instead, I received a reply after nine long days, denying my refund request.
It was then, on June 8, that I decided to research Touchstone and found a plethora of complaints on the Better Business Bureau and other complaint sites. It became evident I had paid for a service that was readily available for free and delivered in a timely manner by the National Archives.
It's been 10 days now since my interaction with Touchstone, and I'm still waiting for the DD-214 I ordered from them.
I write this not to demean Touchstone Research Group but to share my experience so others can make informed decisions. They have their ducks in a row, cleverly written website and all. The National Archives provides a swift, free, and reliable method for obtaining your DD-214 document. If this post can save even a few of you from a similar experience, I'll consider it a success!