National Cemetery Administration
Presidential Memorial Certificates
A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of deceased Veterans who are eligible for burial in a national cemetery.
History
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.
Administration
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers the PMC program by preparing the certificates which bear the current President's signature expressing the country's grateful recognition of the Veteran's service in the United States Armed Forces.
Eligibility
A PMC is authorized for Veterans who are eligible for burial in a national cemetery by reason of any of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), or (7) of section 2402(a) of title 38 U.S. Code §112.
Application
An eligible recipient (i.e., next of kin, a relative or friend upon request, or an authorized service representative acting on behalf of such relative or friend) may apply for a PMC by completing a VA Form 40-0247, Presidential Memorial Certificate Request Form. More than one PMC may be requested. To expedite the processing of the claim, please submit the Veteran's military discharge documents and death certificate. Do not send original documents, as they will not be returned.
Check the Status
If you have already requested a PMC more than sixteen (16) weeks ago and have not received it yet, please call 1-202-565-4964 to find out the status of your request. Please do not send a second application unless we request you to do so.
Veteran Service Officers and Funeral Homes: If you have questions about the status of a request please contact us at 1-202-565-4964. You may also send request for status by email to pmc@va.gov. Our application form (VA Form 40-0247) is shown above. Please save this form to your computer and make as many copies as you might need.
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