Marriage and Spouse Add

Start Here If You Are New to Marriage and Spouse Add

You got married. You have 10 WORKING DAYS to submit NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with a certified marriage certificate to S-1. BAH adjusts to with-dependents rate effective the date of marriage (back-dated if submitted within window). Schedule a RAPIDS appointment within 30 days for spouse DEERS enrollment and ID card issuance. Update SGLI beneficiary on the same day. Enroll spouse in TRICARE within 90 days for continuous coverage. Common errors include using a marriage license (not a certificate), missing certification seal, and overseas marriage authentication delays. Per MCO 1751.3MCO 1751.3 and DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 26.

This page walks you through marriage and spouse add from your seat as the Marine. By the end you will know.

• The required documents
• The 10 working day timeline
• The BAH rate change mechanics
• The RAPIDS and DEERS process
• TRICARE enrollment window
• SGLI beneficiary update
• Common errors with marriage documentation
• Overseas and common-law marriage considerations

Every fact on this page comes from MCO 1751.3MCO 1751.3, 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

Primary Documents

• NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 (Dependency Application/Record of Emergency Data) - Marine completes and signs
• Certified marriage certificate with raised seal from issuing authority

Spouse Identifying Documents

• Spouse's Social Security card
• Spouse's birth certificate (certified)
• Spouse's photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.)

If Spouse Has Prior Marriage

• Certified divorce decree from each prior marriage
• Certified death certificate if prior spouse deceased

If Spouse Has Children From Prior Relationship

• Birth certificates for each child being added
• Custody orders if applicable
• Adoption decrees if applicable

The 10 Working Day Timeline

Day zero is the date on the marriage certificate.

Steps Within 10 Working Days

• Day 1 to 3. Obtain certified marriage certificate from issuing authority.
• Day 4 to 5. Complete NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with all spouse and dependent information.
• Day 6 to 8. S-1 appointment for document review and submission.
• Day 9 to 10. S-1 routes to IPAC for MCTFS update.

Steps Within 30 Days

• RAPIDS appointment for spouse DEERS enrollment and ID card.
• Spouse must be present with original documents.
• Schedule via ID Card Office Online (idco.dmdc.osd.mil).

Steps Within 90 Days

• TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select enrollment.
• Use milConnect or contact regional TRICARE contractor.
• Coverage gap if missed (90-day Qualifying Life Event window).

BAH Rate Change Mechanics

Effective Date

BAH-with-dependents starts on the DATE OF MARRIAGE, not the date of submission, IF NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 is submitted within the 10 working day window.

Back-Dated Pay

When submitted on time, BAH is back-dated to the marriage date. The back-pay shows on the LES one to two pay cycles after MCTFS update.

Late Submission

If submitted after the 10 working day window, BAH-with-dependents typically starts the date of submission. Past entitlement is lost. Career Counselor or finance can sometimes recover with strong justification, but this is not guaranteed.

BAH Rate Calculation

• Rate based on Marine's PDS ZIP code, not spouse's location.
• With-dependents rate applies regardless of whether spouse lives at PDS.
• See BAH (Housing Allowance) for full rate framework.

The RAPIDS and DEERS Process

What RAPIDS Does

RAPIDS (Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System) is the system that enrolls dependents in DEERS and issues USIP (Uniformed Services ID and Privileges) cards.

Appointment Logistics

• Schedule via ID Card Office Online at idco.dmdc.osd.mil.
• Spouse must appear in person with original documents.
• Marine must appear with spouse OR provide DD Form 1172-2DD Form 1172-2 (Application for Identification Card/DEERS Enrollment) signed and notarized.
• Bring all primary documents and spouse identifying documents.

What Happens at RAPIDS

• Spouse enrolled in DEERS as eligible dependent.
• USIP card issued (typically same day).
• TRICARE eligibility activated (effective date).
• Marine confirms entry via milConnect.

TRICARE Enrollment Window

The 90-Day Qualifying Life Event Window

Marriage is a Qualifying Life Event under TRICARE. The 90-day window starts on the date of marriage.

Enrollment Options

• TRICARE Prime. HMO-style, requires PCM. Available where Prime exists.
• TRICARE Select. PPO-style, no PCM, copays apply.
• TRICARE Reserve Select. For Reserve component spouses.
• TRICARE Young Adult. For dependents up to age 26 (separate enrollment).

How to Enroll

• milConnect at milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil.
• Phone the regional TRICARE contractor.
• DD Form 2876DD Form 2876 (Primary Care Manager Selection Form) if needed.

Coverage Gap Risk

Failure to enroll within 90 days creates coverage gap. Spouse can still get care under direct care, but may face full charges at network providers. Re-enrollment available at next Open Season.

SGLI Beneficiary Update

Why Update At Marriage

Pre-marriage SGLI beneficiary may be parent, sibling, or other family member. Marriage often shifts intent toward spouse.

How to Update

• Marine Online > SGLI section > beneficiary update.
• Or VA Form SGLV 8286 through S-1.
• Update is immediate upon submission.

Beneficiary Options

• 100 percent to spouse.
• Split among multiple beneficiaries (spouse, children, parents).
• Trust beneficiary for estate planning purposes.

Common Error

Marines often forget to update SGLI at marriage. If Marine dies before update, prior beneficiary receives proceeds. Spouse has no legal claim. Update SGLI the same day you submit NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922.

Common Errors With Marriage Documentation

Marriage License vs Marriage Certificate

A marriage LICENSE is the pre-marriage application. A marriage CERTIFICATE is the post-marriage record signed by the officiant and filed with the county. Only the certificate is acceptable.

Missing Certification Seal

Photocopies are not acceptable. Certified copies have a raised seal or county clerk authentication. Order multiple certified copies (3 to 5) at the time of issuance.

Wrong Spouse Name

Spouse must use legal name on the marriage certificate. If spouse plans to change name post-marriage, obtain certified marriage certificate FIRST, then change name on Social Security card and other identifying documents.

Foreign Language Certificate

Marriage certificates in a foreign language require certified English translation. Translation must be by a recognized translator with notarization.

Overseas Marriage Considerations

Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Marriages

Marriages performed overseas under host-nation law require host-nation marriage certificate plus authentication.

Authentication Process

• Apostille or consular authentication via U.S. Embassy.
• Translation if not in English.
• May take 30 to 90 days. Plan accordingly.

Late Submission Justification

If overseas authentication causes delay beyond 10 working days, submit NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with the available documents and a memo for the record explaining the delay. Career Counselor or S-1 helps draft.

Common-Law Marriage Considerations

Recognition

Common-law marriage is recognized in a small number of states. Federal benefits recognition follows state law of residence.

Documentation

• Court order or affidavit from a state recognizing common-law marriage.
• Joint financial accounts, joint property, joint tax returns supporting cohabitation duration.
• State-specific common-law marriage requirements vary.

S-1 Coordination

Common-law marriage cases are uncommon and require S-1 coordination with IPAC and possibly Legal Services. Allow extra time.

What If You Are Already Married But Never Submitted

Some Marines marry early in service and never submit NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922. To correct.

• Obtain certified marriage certificate.
• Submit NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with marriage certificate to S-1.
• Memo for the record explaining late submission.
• BAH back-dating typically not granted for very late submissions.
• Forward-going entitlement applies from submission date.

Cross References

• For BAH rate framework and PDS ZIP code rules, see BAH (Housing Allowance)
• For overall life events framework, see Life Events Overview and Authorities
• For DEERS and ID card mechanics in detail, see DEERS Enrollment and ID Cards
• For divorce and spouse removal, see Divorce and Spouse Loss
• For adding children, see Birth and Adoption
• For Family Care Plan if dual-military or single parent, see Family Care Plan (FCP)

Quick Reference

• Submission. NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with certified marriage certificate within 10 working days.
• BAH. With-dependents rate effective marriage date if on time.
• RAPIDS. Within 30 days with spouse present.
• TRICARE. Within 90 days for continuous coverage.
• SGLI. Update beneficiary same day.
• Primary contact. S-1.

Records To Keep

• Certified marriage certificate (original plus extra certified copies)
• Signed NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with S-1 endorsement
• DEERS enrollment confirmation
• USIP card receipt
• TRICARE enrollment confirmation
• SGLI beneficiary update confirmation
• LES showing BAH change

If you have a question about marriage documentation, S-1 is your first stop. For TRICARE, contact the regional contractor. For overseas marriages, S-1 coordinates with Legal Services and IPAC.