MARADMIN 501/26 - Reimbursement of Qualifying Adoption Expenses

Scope

MARADMIN 501/26, R 151518Z OCT 26, sets the administrative process for reimbursing qualifying adoption expenses. It covers Marines, Personnel Administrative Offices (PAOs), and Disbursing Officers or Finance Offices (DOs/FOs). It cancels MARADMIN 076/18.

Key paragraph map

• Para 2. Eligibility. Active duty Marines, and Reserve Marines on active duty for 180 or more consecutive days. Child under 18. Adoption final before the Marine leaves active duty. Married or single members. Dual-military parents file one claim per child.
• Para 3. Deadlines. Two years from the final adoption, or two years from the child's certificate of U.S. citizenship for a foreign adoption. Child enrolled in DEERS before the claim. Separating Marines file before separation. Deployment exceptions need the first General Officer in the chain. Reserve Marines provide active duty orders.
• Para 4. Reimbursable expenses. Up to $2,000 per child, $5,000 per calendar year. Agency fees, placement and counseling fees, legal fees and court costs, medical expenses for the birth mother and the child, and temporary foster care required before placement.
• Para 5. Not reimbursable. Travel, clothing, bedding, toys, and books.
• Para 6. Documentation. DD Form 2675 for each child, final decree with English translation when needed, proof of a qualified or licensed agency, itemized receipts, proof of U.S. citizenship for a foreign adoption, and Reserve active duty orders.
• Para 7. Processing. Chain of command to the servicing PAO. The PAO verifies eligibility, safeguards PII under DoDI 5400.11, and forwards the package with a NAVMC 11116 to the DO/FO in DTMS. A returned package needs corrections within 90 days. The DO/FO holds final approval.
• Para 8. Remains in effect until incorporated into MCO 5000.12F or cancelled.

References

• DoWI 1341.09 with Change 1, Reimbursement for Adoption Fees, 2026-05-27.
• DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Appendix A, Reimbursement of Adoption Expenses.
• MCO 5000.12F with Change 2, Marine Corps Policy Concerning Parenthood and Pregnancy.
• MARADMIN 076/18, cancelled.
• DoDI 5400.11 with Change 1, DoD Privacy and Civil Liberties Programs.

Point of contact

Manpower Military Policy Branch (MPO), 703-784-9371/72, SMB_HQMC_MPO@USMC.MIL.

Status

Active. Released 15 October 2026 by M. R. Melillo, Acting Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division.