ID Card/DEERS Frequently Asked Questions
What regulation covers ID Cards?
What does DEERS stand for?
- Defense Enrollment and Eligibility Reporting System
What are the operating hours for the ID Card section?
Does my sponsor have to be with me to get an ID Card?
- Yes, with the following exceptions:
- If the sponsor signs DD Form 1172-2: Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card/DEERS Enrollment in front of a Verifying Official, the family member may bring this form unaccompanied by the sponsor.
- If the sponsor signs DD Form 1172-2: Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card/DEERS Enrollment and has it notarized, the family member may bring this form unaccompanied by the sponsor.
- The family member may sign the DD Form 1172-2: Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card/DEERS Enrollment using a current (original) Power of Attorney (P.O.A.).
- If none of the above, a 30-day temporary card may be issued.
- The sponsor, who is CAC authorized, may digitally sign the DD Form 1172-2 at the RAPIDS Self Service page: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/self_service.
What documentation is needed to add, remove or make changes to DEERS?
- The sponsor will always need supporting documentation to make any changes, (i.e. Birth, Death, Marriage Certificate, Social Security Cards, Divorce, Adoption, and Custody Decrees)
Once the DD Form 1172-2 is signed, how long is it good for?
- The DD Form 1172-2: Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card/DEERS Enrollment is good for up to 90-days.
Can an ID card be issued by mail?
- Yes. A person needing an ID card and who is unable to travel (incapacitated) to the nearest ID card facility or lives 50 or more miles from an ID Card Center, may request this either by mail or phone. Upon request, instructions and a DD Form 1172-2: Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card/DEERS Enrollment
will be mailed by the ID Card Center. The sponsor will then return the signed and notarized DD Form 1172-2, along with 2 (two) forms of unexpired IDs and photograph notarized of the ID recipient.
What is the earliest an ID card can be renewed before expiring?
- 90-days, with the following exceptions:
- card is damaged.
- promotion of sponsor.
- significant change in appearance.
If the sponsor is deployed, how can a family member receive an ID card?
- The dependent should bring documentation stating deployment, and legal documentation if someone needs to added to sponsor's record in DEERS.
What is the minimum age a dependent can receive an ID card?
- Age 10, with following exceptions:
- dependent, dual active service members.
- sponsor is a single parent.
- dependent is not residing in sponsor's household.
How long may a dependent keep an ID card?
- Up to age 21. At age 21, if the dependent is enrolled full time in an accredited institution of higher learning, that dependent may have an ID card until the date of graduation or their 23rd birthday, whichever occurs first.
- EXCEPTION: The dependent is incapacitated either before the age of 21, or before the age of 23 if a full-time student. Certain forms need to completed and forwarded to DFAS and are available at this office.
What is needed to establish a dependent as a full-time student in DEERS?
- A letter from the school's registrar's office stating the dependents full-time status and anticipated graduation date. The sponsor must also be providing over 50% supports for the dependent.
Can a parent, step-parent, or parent-in-law be added as a dependent to DEERS?
- Yes. There are forms available at the ID Card Center that must be filled out and sent to DFAS for approval. Once approved the service member should bring the forms and the newly established dependent to the ID card center to be entered into DEERS and to receive an ID card.
How are family members and wards added to DEERS?
Can an Unremarried Former Spouse (URFS) of a sponsor keep their ID card and benefits?
- Yes, when the following conditions are met:
- The sponsor performed at least 20 years of service, the spouse was married to the sponsor at least 20 years, and the 20 years of marriage were during the 20 years of the sponsor's service then the URFS is entitled to full benefits so long as they do not remarry.
- Or, the sponsor performed at least 20 years of service, the spouse was married to the sponsor at least 20 years, and the 20 years of marriage were during at least 15 years of the sponsor's service, then the URFS is only entitled to medical coverage for 1 year.
- The following documentation needs to be submitted to the DEERS ID Card Section to have record updated in DEERS before issuance of an ID card (this can take up to 60-90 working days):
- Marriage Certificate
- Driver’s License
- Final Divorce Decree (complete)
- DD Form 214 (copy 4), if available
- Military ID Card (DD Form 1173)
- Photo ID issued by state or local government
- Social Security Card
- Statement from former spouse stating that he/she does not have employer sponsored health insurance and has not remarried. Needs to be dated and signed.
What is required for a Disabled American Veteran (DAV) to receive an ID card?
- To receive a DAV ID card, the person must bring:
- The letter from the Office of Veteran Affairs (VA) stating that they are 100% disabled and has entitlements to the Commissary and Post Exchange.
- The Service Members DD Form 214: Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
- Picture ID and supporting documentation for any and all family members to be added.
- Note: A Disabled American Veterans ID card entitles them to Commissary and Post Exchange privileges only. Medical is handled by VA.
What cannot be cross serviced by this ID Card Center?
- Initial verification for unremarried or unmarried former spouses.
- Incapacitated children.
- Other individuals who require a dependency determination (over 50 percent support) (i.e. wards, parents, parents-in-law.)
- Retirees from other services and former members not currently enrolled in DEERS.
- Illegitimate child of a male sponsor, when paternity has not been judicially determined.
- Illegitimate child of sponsor's spouse, when the sponsor is a member of another Service.
- Navy and Marine Corps dependents residing in the Philippines.
- Abused dependents.
