Birth and Adoption Walkthrough

Prenatal Brief

When the Marine reports the pregnancy or adoption process.

• Brief the documentation sequence.
• Brief parental leave eligibility per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J.
• Brief TRICARE coverage timing.
• Coordinate with Family Readiness for spouse and family support.

Prenatal brief saves the post-birth scramble.

Required Documents Post-Birth

For adoption.

Apply for SSN at the Hospital

The hospital provides SSN application paperwork before discharge.

• Brief the Marine pre-birth.
• The Marine completes the application at the hospital.
• SSA processes typically within 4 to 6 weeks.
• The SSA mails the SSN card to the family.

A child's SSN delays DEERS enrollment if not handled at the hospital. The downstream gap blocks TRICARE.

Submit NAVMC 10922 Within 10 Days

The 10-working-day window from birth or adoption to submission.

• Submit with SSN application receipt if SSN has not arrived.
• Submit with full SSN once it arrives.
• Some PACs accept the receipt and update once SSN lands.
• Confirm with S-1 on local procedure.

Walk the form completion as you would for marriage.

DEERS Enrollment

The child enrolls in DEERS once SSN is on the NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922.

• RAPIDS or DEERS workstation appointment.
• Member, child, and any prior documentation.
• Enrollment effective the birth or adoption date.

TRICARE coverage follows DEERS.

TRICARE Coverage

The newborn enrolls in TRICARE as a dependent.

• Effective the birth date.
• Coverage continues during the application backlog.
• Pediatric care available immediately under the member's enrollment in many cases.
• Verify with TRICARE on the local process.

A TRICARE gap during the first months of a child's life is not just an admin gap. It is a healthcare gap.

Parental Leave Coordination

Per MCO 1050.3JMCO 1050.3J, parental leave is available for both birth and adoption. MCO 1050.3J

• Brief the Marine on leave entitlement.
• Coordinate with the chain on timing.
• Submit the leave request through unit leave procedures.
• Track the leave to start and return.

Coordinate with S-3 if the Marine is in a deploying unit.

BAH Verification

Adding a child does not change BAH if the Marine already had a dependent. The first dependent triggers the BAH change. Subsequent dependents do not change the rate.

If the child is the first dependent, walk the BAH change verification as in the marriage walkthrough.

SGLI Beneficiary Consideration

A new child often drives an SGLI review.

• Brief on beneficiary options.
• Coach the Marine to update SGLV-8286 if changing.
• Submit through S-1.

Beneficiary decisions are the Marine's.

Adoption Expense Reimbursement

An adopting Marine gets up to $2,000 per child back, capped at $5,000 a calendar year, under MARADMIN 501/26MARADMIN 501/26. You own the reminder. The Marine owns the package.

1. Owner, you. Trigger, the adoption becomes final. Brief the 2-year filing deadline. A foreign adoption runs 2 years from the child's certificate of U.S. citizenship.
2. Owner, the Marine. Trigger, the brief. Enroll the child in DEERS before filing. No DEERS, no claim.
3. Owner, the Marine. Trigger, DEERS done. Complete one DD Form 2675DD Form 2675 per child with the final decree, agency proof, and itemized receipts.
4. Owner, you. Trigger, package received. Forward it through the chain to the servicing PAO.
5. Owner, you. Trigger, PAO requests a fix. Push the Marine to answer fast. The finance office needs corrections within 90 days.

Travel, clothing, bedding, toys, and books do not qualify. Reserve Marines qualify only on active duty orders of 180 or more consecutive days.

Common Birth and Adoption Failures

• SSN application not submitted at the hospital. 6-week delay before NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 lands.
• TRICARE coverage gap surfaces at first pediatric appointment.
• Parental leave not coordinated. Marine in field when the child arrives.
• DEERS enrollment delayed. Healthcare gap.
• SGLI beneficiary decision deferred and never made.
• Adoption reimbursement filed after the 2-year deadline or after separation.

Where to Go Next

• Marriage walkthrough for the parallel life event sequence.
• Family docs coaching for the cross-cutting NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 mechanics.
• EFMP coordination if the child has special needs.