Birth and Adoption

Start Here If You Are New to Birth and Adoption

You had a baby or finalized an adoption. You have 10 WORKING DAYS to submit NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with certified birth certificate or adoption decree to S-1. BAH-with-dependents rate triggered if not already established (often already in place from marriage). Newborn TRICARE coverage is AUTOMATIC for the first 60 days, but you must enroll for continued coverage. SGLI beneficiary review and update. Paternity acknowledgment required for unmarried parents. Military Parental Leave Program (MCO 1050.3MCO 1050.3) provides primary and secondary caregiver leave. Per MCO 1751.3MCO 1751.3 and MCO 1050.3MCO 1050.3.

This page walks you through birth and adoption from your seat as the Marine. By the end you will know.

• The required documents
• The 10 working day timeline
• BAH triggers (when first child)
• TRICARE for newborn (60-day automatic, then enrollment)
• SGLI beneficiary considerations
• Paternity acknowledgment for unmarried parents
• Military Parental Leave Program coordination
• Adoption-specific documentation
• Step-child situations

Every fact on this page comes from MCO 1751.3MCO 1751.3, MCO 1050.3MCO 1050.3, DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 26, DoDI 1000.13DoDI 1000.13, and 32 CFR Part 199.

Required Documents

For Birth

• NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 (Dependency Application/Record of Emergency Data)
• Certified birth certificate with raised seal
• Marine's Social Security card and child's Social Security card (when issued)
• Hospital discharge paperwork (sometimes accepted as interim)

For Adoption

• NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922
• Certified adoption decree (final, not pending)
• Birth certificate showing adoptive parents (re-issued post-adoption)
• Adoption agency placement letter

For Step-Child Add (Marriage to Spouse with Children)

• Spouse's marriage certificate (already on file from marriage)
• Step-child's birth certificate
• Court custody order if step-child resides with Marine and spouse

For Unmarried Parents

• Birth certificate
• Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP) form
• OR court order establishing paternity
• OR DNA paternity test if contested

The 10 Working Day Timeline

Day zero is the date on the birth certificate or adoption decree.

Steps Within 10 Working Days

• Day 1 to 5. Obtain certified birth certificate from county vital records.
• Day 6 to 8. Complete NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with child information.
• Day 9 to 10. S-1 appointment for review and submission.

Interim Documents

If certified birth certificate is delayed (often 2 to 6 weeks from county vital records), submit NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with hospital discharge paperwork as interim. Provide certified birth certificate when received.

Steps Within 30 Days

• RAPIDS appointment for child DEERS enrollment.
• Spouse and Marine should bring child for in-person verification.

Steps Within 60 Days (TRICARE)

• TRICARE coverage automatic for newborn first 60 days. After 60 days, enrollment required for continued coverage.

BAH Trigger (When First Child)

When Already At With-Dependents Rate

If you are already at BAH-with-dependents (married, has spouse), no BAH change at child birth. Children do not increase BAH rate beyond the basic with-dependents tier.

When First Child Triggers With-Dependents Rate

If you are unmarried and the child is your first dependent, BAH-with-dependents activates effective the date of birth (if NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 submitted within 10 working days).

Court-Ordered Child Support and BAH-Diff

For unmarried Marines paying court-ordered child support but not residing with the child, BAH-Diff (BAH Differential) may apply.

• See BAH (Housing Allowance) for BAH-Diff framework.
• Court order required.
• Lower than full BAH-with-dependents but higher than BAH-without-dependents.

TRICARE for Newborn

Automatic 60-Day Coverage

Per 32 CFR Part 199, newborn children of TRICARE-eligible sponsors are AUTOMATICALLY covered for the first 60 days from date of birth.

Enrollment Required After 60 Days

For continued coverage past day 60, formal enrollment required.

• TRICARE Prime. Pediatric PCM assignment.
• TRICARE Select. PPO-style with copays.
• TRICARE Young Adult. Not applicable for infants.

How to Enroll

• milConnect at milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil.
• Phone the regional TRICARE contractor.
• Provide DEERS enrollment date.

Adoption TRICARE

Adopted children become TRICARE-eligible on the date of placement (not finalization). Provide placement letter from adoption agency for early enrollment.

Coverage Gap Risk

Failure to enroll within 60 days creates a coverage gap. Re-enrollment available at next Open Season or qualifying life event.

SGLI Beneficiary Considerations

Why Update At Birth or Adoption

Pre-child SGLI beneficiary may not include the new child. Marines often want to add child as contingent beneficiary or split between spouse and children.

Options

• 100 percent to spouse. Simplest. Spouse manages funds for children.
• Split between spouse and children. Children require trust or guardian if minors.
• 100 percent to children. Requires trust or court-appointed guardian to manage funds for minors.

Trust Considerations

Marines with significant assets or specific intent for child care often establish a trust as SGLI beneficiary. Coordinate with Legal Services.

How to Update

• Marine Online > SGLI section.
• Or VA Form SGLV 8286 through S-1.

Paternity Acknowledgment for Unmarried Parents

Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP)

For unmarried parents, the easiest path is a VAP form signed at the hospital at birth. The hospital files with the state.

Court-Ordered Paternity

If paternity is contested or VAP not signed, court establishment is required.

• File petition in family court.
• DNA testing typically ordered.
• Court order establishes paternity for support, custody, and dependent recognition.

Why It Matters

Without acknowledged or court-ordered paternity, the unmarried Marine cannot claim the child as a dependent. No BAH, no TRICARE, no DEERS enrollment for the child.

Coordination

S-1 and Legal Services coordinate on paternity cases. Allow significant lead time (court process can take months).

Military Parental Leave Program

Primary Caregiver Leave

Per MCO 1050.3MCO 1050.3, primary caregivers receive 12 weeks of non-chargeable leave following qualifying birth or adoption.

Secondary Caregiver Leave

Secondary caregivers receive 3 weeks of non-chargeable leave.

Designation

Marine and spouse designate primary and secondary caregiver. For dual-military couples, designation determines leave allocation.

Coordination With Birth or Adoption

• Submit MPLP application alongside NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922.
• See Military Parental Leave Program for full process.

Adoption-Specific Documentation

Stages of Adoption

• Placement. Child placed in home.
• Pending finalization. Court process.
• Finalization. Court order making adoption legal.

When NAVMC 10922 Triggers

For dependent recognition, the FINAL adoption decree is required. Pending adoption is not sufficient.

Adoption Reimbursement

Per 10 USC 105210 USC 1052, qualifying adoption expenses may be reimbursed up to $2,000 per child, $5,000 per calendar year. Apply through S-1 with adoption agency receipts.

TRICARE Early Coverage

Per 32 CFR Part 199, adopted children may receive TRICARE coverage from the date of PLACEMENT (not finalization) with proper documentation.

Step-Child Situations

Adding Step-Children at Marriage

If your spouse has children from a prior relationship, those step-children are added at marriage via NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with their birth certificates.

Step-Child Custody Considerations

• If step-child resides with Marine and spouse, full dependent recognition.
• If step-child resides primarily with other parent, court order determines dependency claim.
• BAH unaffected (already at with-dependents from spouse).

Step-Child SGLI

Step-children are eligible SGLI beneficiaries if listed by name.

Common Errors

Birth Certificate Delay

County vital records typically takes 2 to 6 weeks. Order multiple certified copies (3 to 5) at the time of issuance.

Wrong Type of Birth Certificate

Some hospitals issue a "souvenir" or "commemorative" birth certificate. This is not acceptable. Only the certified state vital records version with raised seal counts.

Missing Father Name (Unmarried Parents)

If father name is blank on birth certificate (no VAP signed), Marine cannot claim child without paternity establishment. Sign VAP at hospital or pursue court order.

Late SGLI Update

Marines often forget SGLI update. If Marine dies before update, prior beneficiary inherits. Update immediately upon birth or adoption.

Failure to Enroll TRICARE Past 60 Days

Automatic 60-day coverage gives a false sense of security. Enroll within 60 days to avoid coverage gap.

Cross References

• For BAH framework and BAH-Diff for unmarried Marines, see BAH (Housing Allowance)
• For overall life events framework, see Life Events Overview and Authorities
• For DEERS and ID card mechanics, see DEERS Enrollment and ID Cards
• For parental leave, see Military Parental Leave Program
• For Family Care Plan after first child, see Family Care Plan (FCP)
• For child custody changes outside birth/adoption, see Child Custody Changes

Quick Reference

• Submission. NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with certified birth certificate or adoption decree within 10 working days.
• TRICARE. Automatic 60-day, enroll for continued coverage.
• BAH. With-dependents triggered if first dependent.
• SGLI. Update beneficiary same day.
• Parental leave. MPLP application alongside NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922.
• Adoption reimbursement. Up to $2,000 per child via S-1.
• Primary contact. S-1.

Records To Keep

• Certified birth certificate or adoption decree (original plus extra certified copies)
• Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (if unmarried)
• Signed NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with S-1 endorsement
• DEERS enrollment confirmation
• TRICARE enrollment confirmation
• SGLI beneficiary update confirmation
• MPLP leave application
• Adoption reimbursement receipts (if applicable)

If you have a question about birth or adoption documentation, S-1 is your first stop. For TRICARE, contact the regional contractor. For paternity establishment or adoption legal questions, coordinate with Legal Services.