Governed by federal law, the DoD Adoption Reimbursement Program authorizes reimbursement to service members for certain expenses associated with the adoption of infants or children.

Governed by federal law, the DoD Adoption Reimbursement Program authorizes reimbursement to service members for certain expenses associated with the adoption of infants or children.

To receive any money, service members must qualify for reimbursement and complete an adoption through a qualified adoption agency. More information on qualifying expenses can be found in the Benefits and Allowances section. If a service member is eligible, he or she must submit a claim for reimbursement by completing Department of Defense Form (DD Form) 2675, "Reimbursement Request for Adoption Expenses," September 2006, and providing supporting documentation.

For children in the United States, supporting documentation includes a copy of the court order showing that the adoption is final, receipts or cancelled checks that show authorized expenses, and proof that the adoption agency that arranged the adoption is a qualified agency. To show that the agency is qualified, service members must have either the placement agreement from the adoption agency or a letter from the adoption agency stating what services it provided for the adoption.

For foreign adoptions, service members must complete DD Form 2675 and submit copies of receipts or cancelled checks, as well as proof of the qualification of the adoption agency. If receipts are from a foreign country, expenses must be converted into US dollars. Service members also have to provide a translated adoption decree and proof of US citizenship status for the child. To prove citizenship status of the child, service members can provide any of the following:

• a copy of the front and back of the Permanent Resident Alien Card (green card) showing the IR-3 code
• a letter from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services which states the status of the child’s adoption
• a copy of the child's US passport (page with personal information only)
• a copy of the child's Certificate of Citizenship

To receive any money, service members must qualify for reimbursement and complete an adoption through a qualified adoption agency. More information on qualifying expenses can be found in the Benefits and Allowances section. If a service member is eligible, he or she must submit a claim for reimbursement by completing Department of Defense Form (DD Form) 2675, "Reimbursement Request for Adoption Expenses," September 2006, and providing supporting documentation.

For children in the United States, supporting documentation includes a copy of the court order showing that the adoption is final, receipts or cancelled checks that show authorized expenses, and proof that the adoption agency that arranged the adoption is a qualified agency. To show that the agency is qualified, service members must have either the placement agreement from the adoption agency or a letter from the adoption agency stating what services it provided for the adoption.

For foreign adoptions, service members must complete DD Form 2675 and submit copies of receipts or cancelled checks, as well as proof of the qualification of the adoption agency. If receipts are from a foreign country, expenses must be converted into US dollars. Service members also have to provide a translated adoption decree and proof of US citizenship status for the child. To prove citizenship status of the child, service members can provide any of the following:

• a copy of the front and back of the Permanent Resident Alien Card (green card) showing the IR-3 code
• a letter from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services which states the status of the child’s adoption
• a copy of the child's US passport (page with personal information only)
• a copy of the child's Certificate of Citizenship

A completed DD Form 2675 and supporting documentation should be submitted to the installation personnel office. Representatives from that office will check to be sure all required documentation is included and will forward the documentation to the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS). DFAS will send the reimbursement money.

A completed DD Form 2675 and supporting documentation should be submitted to the installation personnel office. Representatives from that office will check to be sure all required documentation is included and will forward the documentation to the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS). DFAS will send the reimbursement money.

Yes. Federal law allows service members to take up to twenty-one days of non-chargeable leave following the adoption of a child. The authorization of this leave is not automatic. It must be approved by the service member's supervisor and may be denied depending on mission requirements and certain circumstances. In the majority of instances, however, it will be approved.

Yes. Federal law allows service members to take up to twenty-one days of non-chargeable leave following the adoption of a child. The authorization of this leave is not automatic. It must be approved by the service member's supervisor and may be denied depending on mission requirements and certain circumstances. In the majority of instances, however, it will be approved.

If the child has not been placed in the service member's home yet, the member may be able to have the home study materials transferred to another agency closer to the new installation (in the case of a relocation). This may not be possible, however, if the installation is in a different state. Each state has its own home study requirements and a new adoption agency may require a new home study to be completed from scratch.

If the child has been placed in the service member's home, but the adoption is not yet finalized, the steps to be taken vary depending on whether the member is relocating or deploying:

• If relocating to an installation in another state, the adoption worker must seek prior approval under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) (this is basically an agreement, between the state where the child was born and the state to which a member is moving with the child, about the child's care and management of the child's case before finalization of the adoption).
• If deploying prior to completion of the adoption, the service member may want to seek a Deployment Deferment or Extension of Assignment to remain in one state until the adoption can be finalized.
• Early finalization of the adoption may be possible as well. Some agencies may reach an agreement with the court and agency to allow for finalization with the non-military member of the family present and the military member to be present by proxy (a person authorized to act in the place of another person) or through affidavit, teleconference, or other means.
• Some families find it helpful to work through these options with an adoption attorney. The adoption agency social worker should be able to provide a list of attorneys in the area who specialize in adoption law.

If the child has not been placed in the service member's home yet, the member may be able to have the home study materials transferred to another agency closer to the new installation (in the case of a relocation). This may not be possible, however, if the installation is in a different state. Each state has its own home study requirements and a new adoption agency may require a new home study to be completed from scratch.

If the child has been placed in the service member's home, but the adoption is not yet finalized, the steps to be taken vary depending on whether the member is relocating or deploying:

• If relocating to an installation in another state, the adoption worker must seek prior approval under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) (this is basically an agreement, between the state where the child was born and the state to which a member is moving with the child, about the child's care and management of the child's case before finalization of the adoption).
• If deploying prior to completion of the adoption, the service member may want to seek a Deployment Deferment or Extension of Assignment to remain in one state until the adoption can be finalized.
• Early finalization of the adoption may be possible as well. Some agencies may reach an agreement with the court and agency to allow for finalization with the non-military member of the family present and the military member to be present by proxy (a person authorized to act in the place of another person) or through affidavit, teleconference, or other means.
• Some families find it helpful to work through these options with an adoption attorney. The adoption agency social worker should be able to provide a list of attorneys in the area who specialize in adoption law.

Children are covered as TRICARE Prime beneficiaries for sixty days after birth or adoption, as long as one family member is enrolled in TRICARE Prime. After these first sixty days, an enrollment application must be submitted to keep the child enrolled in TRICARE Prime. If an application is not submitted within sixty days of the adoption, the adopted child will automatically be covered under TRICARE Standard and Extra until 365 days after the adoption. The child can still be enrolled in TRICARE Prime during this time.

If the child is not enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) after 365 days have elapsed, DEERS will show the child's status as "loss of eligibility." At that point, the child must be registered in DEERS to be eligible to receive TRICARE benefits.

Children are covered as TRICARE Prime beneficiaries for sixty days after birth or adoption, as long as one family member is enrolled in TRICARE Prime. After these first sixty days, an enrollment application must be submitted to keep the child enrolled in TRICARE Prime. If an application is not submitted within sixty days of the adoption, the adopted child will automatically be covered under TRICARE Standard and Extra until 365 days after the adoption. The child can still be enrolled in TRICARE Prime during this time.

If the child is not enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) after 365 days have elapsed, DEERS will show the child's status as "loss of eligibility." At that point, the child must be registered in DEERS to be eligible to receive TRICARE benefits.

Legal assistance offices aboard military installations can provide advice on adoption proceedings, but they cannot provide representation for service members in a court of law.

Legal assistance offices aboard military installations can provide advice on adoption proceedings, but they cannot provide representation for service members in a court of law.

Installation family centers can provide more information on the reimbursement program as well as assistance when filing the claim for expenses MilitaryINSTALLATIONS provides contact information for programs and services; maps and directions; links to comprehensive location overviews; and community points of interest for military installations worldwide. Contact information for installation family service centers can be found under the program or service. For families not located near a military installation, Internet resources, such as Military OneSource, can also provide information about adoption and the Reimbursement Program.

Installation family centers can provide more information on the reimbursement program as well as assistance when filing the claim for expenses MilitaryINSTALLATIONS provides contact information for programs and services; maps and directions; links to comprehensive location overviews; and community points of interest for military installations worldwide. Contact information for installation family service centers can be found under the program or service. For families not located near a military installation, Internet resources, such as Military OneSource, can also provide information about adoption and the Reimbursement Program.