To benefit from our certification, you will need to submit an application along with payment and various supporting documents.

Some of the documentation will be quite detailed but it is necessary in order for us to verify a variety of issues — including veteran status and 51% veteran ownership and control – that are essential to qualifying for veteran owned business status per the Department of Defense requirements.

Service Disabled Veterans must also submit their annual disability letter from the Veterans Administration (VA).

Applicant must be a Veteran of a branch of the United States military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard).

Veteran status is determined using the official government DD Form 214 (DD214) that has been received directly from the Veterans’ military records location. The NVBDC cannot accept DD214’s from the applicant. Our online application will provide all the instructions and the proper form for the applicant to request that their DD214 military records be sent directly to the NVBDC.

Applicant must have served a minimum of 180 consecutive days in an Active Duty capacity or meet one of the following exceptions:

1. Was discharged or released from Active Duty because of a service-connected disability.
2. Was discharged or released fromactive duty by reason of a sole survivorship discharge (as that term is defined in section 1174(i) of title 10).

OR—

Was as a member of the National Guard or a reserve component under an order to Active Duty pursuant to section 12301(a), (d), or (g), 12302, or 12304 of title 10, served on Active Duty during a period of war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge was authorized.

OR—

Served in the National Guard or Reserve for 20 years and retired.

• Applicant must have received an Honorable Discharge (HD) or Discharge Under Honorable Conditions (UHC).
• Applicable Geographic Region – United States and all US territories.
• Applicant must be a US Citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident

CONTROL

Proof of active management of the business. Veteran must possess the power to direct or cause to direct the management and policies of the business including the dissolution or sale of the company without restriction by any other party.

CONTRIBUTION

Contribution of capital and/or expertise by Veteran owner(s) to acquire their ownership interest shall be real and substantial and be in proportion of the interest acquired.