DEERS / ID Cards Mission

Customers are seen by appointment only.  Click “DEERS/ID Card Appointment System” below to schedule your appointment.  You will need one appointment per each card being issued.  

Monday – Thursday:  0800-1120 & 1300-1520

Friday: 0800-1120 & 1300-1500

CAC:  Active Duty, Reserve, Guard, Civilian, NAF, and AAFES:

Two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents)

Promotion orders, E5 or above (if military rank change)

 Geneva Convention CAC:

Contractor: must have a SPOT LOA (Letter of Authorization) with the proper boxes checked. 

Civilian: Copy of Orders generated and completed through the DTS, or a completed DD Form 1610.

 Retired Military:  DD Form 214 or retirement orders and two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents)

 Individual Ready Reserve (IRR):  DD Form 214 and two valid unexpired forms of ID (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents)

The process for obtaining a CAC is slightly different for contractors because DoD policy requires an automated data feed to DEERS from the Trusted Associate Sponsorship System (TASS).  Contractors must be verified in TASS every time a card is issued/renewed.  We cannot extend Contractor CAC cards in DEERS. 

Two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents)

Replacement for a lost/stolen/confiscated CAC or ID card: A police report from local police stating lost Federal ID or a military police report, and two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents), one must be unexpired photo ID. If your ID card has been confiscated because it is expired you will be required to bring in the receipt that was provided to you from the confiscating agency.  If you were not issued one at the time your card was confiscated you will need to return to that agency to obtain one. 

Identification Cards for unlimited exchange and commissary store privileges are available to:

Honorably discharged Veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 100% by the VA to include a rating of Individual Unemployability (IU). 

Unremarried surviving spouses of 100% service-connected veterans

Recipients of the Medal of Honor, and their dependents

Initial issuance:  Two valid forms of ID (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents), letter from VA stating member is 100% Permanently Disabled, or letter indicating Individual Unemployablility or if temporarily disabled we will need the letter that reflects your future exam date.  Additionally we will need the letter authorizing commissary and exchange privileges and your DD Form 214.

For DAV Dependent ID Cards:  Sponsor must have the following documents:

Spouse:  Original or Certified copies of all documents: Marriage Certificate, two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents).

***Note***If you were previously married before you separated from the military odds are your former spouse is still reflected in DEERS.  You will need a copy of your entire final Divorce decree, complete with a file date and judge’s signature in order for us to remove your former spouse and add your new spouse.  Divorce data DOES NOT feed into DEERS from any other source other than you providing a copy to the DEERS Office.  Unless you provide us with a copy of your final divorce decree we cannot add a new spouse while your former spouse is still in DEERS. 

Children:  Sponsor must have the following documents: original birth certificate and Social Security card. If step-child is being added, original or certified copy of your marriage certificate is also needed.

Dependent under age 18 – No ID verification ID required; Dependents over 18 will be required to have two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents).

For Dependent children over 21 please see (Dependent Over Age 21 (Full-Time Students), Incapacitated Adult Children and TRICARE Young Adult Enrollees)

**If you are RETIRED from the military through either length of service or medically retired you are not entitled a DAV ID card as your blue or red retired ID card already provides you the services authorized by a DAV ID card.

If adding a dependent that is not currently enrolled in DEERS please see: “DEERS Enrollment Requirements” below.   

**Sponsors must accompany their Family members for ID issuance at all times***  We do accept an ORIGINAL, unexpired Power of Attorney in the absence of the Sponsor, or a DD Form 1172 that is generated by a DEERS/ID Cards Facility or that is generated online by visiting: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/self_service/rapids/    within 90 days prior to the card issuance date.

•Spouse:  Two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents) (Medicare Card if turning age 65)

•Un-remarried Widow – two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents) (Medicare Card if turning age 65) and sponsors original death certificate if this is the first issuance of an ID card since the sponsors passing. 

• 20/20/20 and 20/20/15 Former Spouse- Beginning 15 November 2015, all documentation will be forwarded to the Former Spouse's Service Project Office (SPO) to determine eligibility. ID card will be issued once eligibility is approved by the SPO.  two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents) (See DEERS facility for further guidance)

•Dependent under age 18 - No ID verification required

•Dependent over 18 - Two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents)

Two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents), Letter from school registrar office stating full time enrollment (Verification from Clearing House is also acceptable), and the expected graduation date at accredited college.  This verification can only be accomplished 30 days prior to the 21^st birthday. 

Dependent over age 21 – (Incapacitated Child):  Two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents), current Dependency Determination* Medical Sufficiency Letter

Other Dependent – (Parent, Parent-in-Law, etc) – Two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents), current Dependency Determination.

TRICARE Young Adult ID cards- Once coverage begins an appointment can be made to be issued an ID card.  Sponsor is still required for issuance of these cards and card recipient is required to have two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents).  Please note this card is for healthcare coverage only and does not authorize the card holder use of base privileges (Commissary, Exchange).  

Note: Children under the age of 10 are not required to be issued an ID card. (Exceptions are if the sponsor is a Single Parent, Dual Military Couple, or child resides outside the sponsor's home.)

Temporary ID card can be issued if the child is traveling without a parent.

Name changes must be changed in the authoritative source and cannot be changed in DEERS.  If name is incorrect in DEERS, it must be updated with your personnel office. Once updated in the personnel system, the correct information will be reported to and stored in DEERS.

For military personnel your name must be changed in your services military human resources (personnel) system prior to coming to DEERS for a new CAC.  Each branch of service may have different requirements for active duty, reserve and retirees; please contact the center for more information pertaining to your specific situation.

For civilian personnel your name must be changed with your civilian human resources system prior to coming in to DEERS for a new CAC. 

For contractor personnel your name must be changed in TASS

For both military and civilian name changes input by your services human resources system will normally take 72 hours to reflect in DEERS. 

You will need to present two (2) forms of valid (unexpired) forms of identification, one form MUST be a photo ID in the new name. (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents)

Adding a Spouse:  Original or Certified copies of all documents: State or County issued: Marriage Certificate, and two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification & Social Security card. (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents)

***Note***If you were married before and process your divorce in DEERS you will need to do so prior to us being able to add your new spouse in DEERS***  You will need a copy of your entire final Divorce decree, complete with a file date and judge’s signature.  Divorce data DOES NOT feed into DEERS from any other source other than you providing a copy to the DEERS Office (not to be confused with your servicing human resources/personnel office).

Foreign Spouse:  Follow adding a spouse. In addition, if any documents are issued by a foreign country a translated version of this document needs to be provided. If Social Security card has not arrived, a Temporary Identification Number (TIN) will be assigned.

Former Spouse:  Army Former spouses must present the following documents, service statement/discharge on former spouse, original marriage certificate, original divorce decree and two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents).  Former spouses of other branches must report to that Branch of Service.

Adding Children:  Sponsor must have the following documents: original birth certificate and Social Security card. If step-child is being added, marriage certificate is also needed. For dual military, BOTH PARENTS NEED TO BE PRESENT FOR DUAL DEERS ENROLLMENT.

 *** You have 90 days from your child's birth date, or the date of adoption, to enroll in DEERS and select a health plan with TRICARE (1-800-TRICARE).***

 Adding Illegitimate Children:  Male sponsors adding illegitimate children must bring the following documents; birth certificate, SSN card; court ordered paternity document or voluntary acknowledgement of paternity document, for other than Army the approved dependency determination.

 Dependent Stepchild:  Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, and Marriage Certificate; If 18 or over two (2) forms of valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents)

Adopted Child:  Final Adoption Decree, Birth Certificate, and Social Security Card

 Legal Custody Ward Child: 

You must have the following:

The approved Dependency Determination from DFAS (DD 1172 and DD 27-88); an original or certified copy of Court Order granting Legal Guardianship/Custody to the sponsor that stipulates the child will be in the care and custody of the Sponsor for no less than twelve (12) consecutive months

The child’s Birth Certificate (Original copy with file number) ~OR~ Consular Report of Birth Abroad (DS Form FS-240)

The child's Social Security Card (original, not laminated) if available (Social Security Account Number can be presented to DEERS as soon as acquired)

If over 18 years of age: two (2) valid (unexpired) forms of identification (click here to see complete listing of authorized identity documents)

The sponsor MUST provide over 50% support to the child and the child MUST reside in the military sponsor's household.

Dependency Determination*

 *(Dependency Determination must be completed every four years or status change) Completed through DFAS. 

There are three ways to do this. The fastest way to update your record is to take a copy of your final Divorce decree to your nearest military ID card issuing facility.   You may also mail a copy of your final Divorce decree along with the sponsor’s social security number to:

DMDC/DEERS Support Office 400 Gigling Road, Seaside, CA 93955

or fax it to them at (800) 336-4416.

You will need a copy of your entire final Divorce decree, complete with a file date and judge’s signature.

Sponsor:  You will need to provide the original death certificate before the record can be updated.  

If the sponsor is retired, USA, USAF, USN or USMC a copy of the death certificate must also be sent to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), be sure to include the sponsor's Social Security Number on all documentation. Click on Service Personnel Office Addresses for the addresses to send your information.

Family member:  You will need to provide a copy of the death certificate before the record can be updated.

During identity proofing, the applicant shall be required to provide two forms of identity source documents in original form. The identity source documents shall be bound to that applicant and shall be neither expired nor cancelled. If the two identity source documents bear different names, evidence of a formal name change shall be provided.

 The primary identity source document shall be one of the following forms of identification:

−  U.S. Passport or a U.S. Passport Card

−  Permanent Resident Card or an Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551)

−  Foreign passport

−  Employment Authorization Document that contains a photograph (Form I-766)

−  Driver's license or an ID card issued by a state or possession of the United States provided it contains a photograph***

−  U.S. Military ID card

−  U.S. Military dependent's ID card

−  PIV Card

*** Active duty Service members and their eligible dependents may present a State driver's license with no expiration date (blank) or displays "military."  If the expiration date displayed is expired, regardless of the State's decision to permit the driver's license for driving privileges, the driver's license would be considered an expired ID for the purposes of using this identity document for DoD ID card issuance and CANNOT BE USED as a valid/unexpired form of identity.

The secondary identity source document may be from the list above, but cannot be of the same type as the primary identity source document. The secondary identity source document may also be one of the following:

−  U.S. Social Security Card issued by the Social Security Administration

−  Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority, possession, or outlying possession of the United States bearing an official seal

−  ID card issued by a federal, state, or local government agency or entity, provided it contains a photograph

−  Voter's registration card

−  U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card

−  Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561)

−  Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)

−  U.S. Citizen ID Card (Form I-197)

Departments and agencies may choose to accept only a subset of the identity source documents listed in this section. For example, in cases where identity proofing for PIV Card issuance is performed prior to verification of employment authorization, departments and agencies may choose to require the applicant to provide identity source documents that satisfy the requirements of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, in addition to the requirements specified in this section. It is recommended that departments and agencies perform electronic verification of identity source documents, where possible. For example, if the primary source document is a foreign passport (e.g., Italy), the secondary source document should not be another foreign passport (e.g., France).

−  Identification Card for Use of Resident Citizen in the United States (Form I-179)

−  Certification of Birth Abroad or Certification of Report of Birth issued by the Department of State (Form FS-545 or Form DS-1350)

−  Temporary Resident Card (Form I-688)

−  Employment Authorization Card (Form I-688A)

−  Reentry Permit (Form I-327)

−  Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)

−  Employment authorization document issued by Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

−  Employment Authorization Document issued by DHS with photograph (Form I-688B)

−  Driver's license issued by a Canadian government entity

−  Native American tribal document

Please note the two forms of identification requirement is directed by the Department of Defense and CANNOT be waived.​​​​​​​