You should update your record in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) within 30 days whenever you experience any of the following life events (this list is not all-inclusive):

•  Change in sponsor's status:
  • Retiring or separating from active duty
  • National Guard or Reserve member activation or deactivation
• Change in service status (i.e. enlisted to officer, branch change)
• Getting married or divorced
• Having a baby or adopting a child
• Moving to a new location for any reason
• Becoming entitled to Medicare (either you or a family member)

If you are enrolled in a TRICARE plan such as TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Prime Remote, TRICARE Reserve Select, TRICARE Prime Overseas or TRICARE Global Remote Overseas, make sure to report your address change to your regional contractor or TRICARE Area Office.

Verifying and Updating DEERS Information 
Mistakes or outdated information in the DEERS database can cause problems with TRICARE claims.  For example, retail network pharmacies check TRICARE eligibility through DEERS and prescriptions will be filled only for beneficiaries who are listed as eligible. 

To enroll family members or update DEERS records, sponsors must complete an Application for Department of Defense Common Access Card and DEERS Enrollment (DD Form 1172) and provide other documentation, such as marriage, birth, or death certificates, Social Security numbers, separation papers (DD Form 214), Medicare cards, etc.  Each family member's eligibility record must be updated separately when changes occur.  Note: If the sponsor is not available, family members can add or delete family members from DEERS with a notarized DD Form 1172 or a Power of Attorney.

You can verify and update DEERS in one of the following ways:

• In Person:  To add or delete family members, visit a local ID card office.  You can search for an office near you by ZIP code, city or state by visiting the ID card office locator.  Call the office first to verify location and business hours.
• By Phone:  Call the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office at 1-800-538-9552 to update your addresses, e-mail address and phone numbers.   (TTY/TDD for the deaf:  1-866-363-2883) 
• By Fax:  Fax address, e-mail address or phone number changes to the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office at 1-831-655-8317.
• By Mail:  Mail changes to the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office.  You must also mail supporting documentation if you are adding or deleting a family member:
  • Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office
    Attn: COA
    400 Gigling Road
    Seaside, CA  93955-6771
• Online:  You have two options for updating personal information online:
  • Visit the DEERS Web site and follow the steps to update your address, e-mail address and phone numbers online.
  • Via the Beneficiary Web Enrollment Web site. The site is linked directly to the DEERS database, so when you update your information via this portal, it not only updates DEERS, but also with your regional contractor.