Veteran Burial Benefits

Presidential Memorial Certificate

A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans.

This program was initiated in March 1962 by President John F. Kennedy and has been continued by all subsequent Presidents. Statutory authority for the program is Section 112, Title 38, of the United States Code.

The Department of Veterans Affairs administers the PMC program by preparing the certificates which bear the President’s signature expressing the country’s grateful recognition of the veteran’s service in the United States Armed Forces.

Military Burial Benefits Topics of Interest:

Eligible recipients include the deceased veteran’s next of kin and loved ones. More than one certificate may be provided. Eligible recipients, or someone acting on their behalf, may apply for a PMC in person at any VA regional office or by U.S. mail only. Requests cannot be sent via email. There is no form to use when requesting a PMC. Please be sure to include a return mailing address with your request and a copy of the veteran’s discharge documents.

Mail your request and all supporting documents using either the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial mail service, such as one of the overnight or express mail delivery services, to:

Department of Veterans Affairs
National Cemetery Administration (403A)
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420-0001

If you have any questions about a certificate you have received, a request you have already sent in, or about the program in general, you may call (202) 565-4964 or email PMC@mail.va.gov.

Military Burial Benefits Topics of Interest:

- VA home loans: get today's low rates!

- Build a solid future with a degree from AIU Online.

- Need your DD214? Certificate of Eligibility?

- Military Loans for Veterans and Active Duty