Required Documents

Remember to bring all required documents to your appointment to update DEERS or receive your ID card. Call the ID card office first if you have any questions. 

Each family member’s eligibility record must be updated separately. To register family members in DEERS, sponsors must:

  • Complete a DD Form 1172.
  • Provide documentation (see below).

If the sponsor is unavailable, family members can update DEERS with. To do this, you must have a DD Form 1172 signed by their sponsor within 90 days or a valid Power of Attorney

Note: This list isn’t all-inclusive. Contact the DMDC/DEERS Support Office if you have questions. 

Type of Update Required Documents
ID cards (all customers)
  • Two unexpired forms of ID
  • One must be a state or government-issued photo ID. Acceptable examples include driver’s licenses, passports, and Social Security cards. 
Adding a spouse to DEERS
  • Marriage certificate
  • Spouse’s birth certificate
  • Spouse’s Social Security card
  • Spouse’s photo ID

All documents must be originals or certified copies.

Adding a child to DEERS   
  • Birth certificate or recordChild’s official birth certificate or FS-240 Consular Report of Birth Abroad, record of adoption, or letter of placement of your child into your home by a recognized placement or adoption agency or the court.
  • Social Security card
  • If you’re adding a stepchild, the marriage certificate is also required.
Child over age 21 with full-time student status
  • Letter from the school’s registrar's office stating they’re enrolled full time in an accredited college in pursuit of an associate’s degree or higher to have benefits extended to age 23
Child born out of wedlock (female sponsors)
  • Birth certificate
  • Social Security card 
Child born out of wedlock (male sponsors)
  • Birth certificate
  • Social Security card
  • Court order establishing paternity or a State Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity form
Dependent parent
  • DFAS letter of approval
  • Service member birth certificate and valid photo ID
  • Photo ID and Social Security card of the parent
Dependent ward
  • DFAS letter of approval
  • Court document placing the child in the member’s household for one year or more
  • Birth certificate
  • Social Security card
  • All documents must be translated in English and certified.
ID cards for TRICARE Young Adult beneficiaries
  • Once enrolled in TRICARE Young Adult, you’re eligible for an ID card.
  • You must have two valid forms of ID and proof of enrollment in TRICARE Young Adult.
Beneficiaries turning age 65 (TRICARE For Life)
  • Medicare card
  • Two forms of ID
Removing SSN from ID cards
  • Current cards won’t be replaced until your card is 30 days to its expiration date.
  • If your card has an INDEF expiration date, make an appointment for a new card.

Last Updated 11/21/2024