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Military Pay: Adoption Reimbursement
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Federal law authorizes reimbursement for certain adoption expenses. If you have adopted a child who is under 18 years of age you may be eligible for a maximum of $2,000 per child, not to exceed $5,000 per calendar year. The law is found at 10 U.S.C. 1052, DoDFMR Volume 7C, Chapter 4, and DoDI 1341.9.

Generally, in order to qualify for reimbursement, the adoption must have been arranged by either a qualified adoption agency or other source authorized to place children for adoption under state or local law. Stepchild adoptions are authorized for reimbursement if they are finalized on or after November 3, 2007.

Additionally, in order to be reimbursed for adoption expenses there are certain requirements and procedures that MUST be met. Failure to meet ALL of the following requirements and procedures will result in your claim being denied.

Requirements
  • The member must be serving continuously on active duty for at least 180 days.
  • The member must submit the claim within one year of the date that the adoption was finalized. The adoption must be finalized while on active duty.
Procedures
  • Submit a reimbursement for adoption expenses request using DD Form 2675 (Reimbursement Request for Adoption Expenses). The form is available online at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/forminfo/forminfopage2038.html .
  • If the child was adopted in the United States, the member must provide a copy of the court order showing that the adoption is final.
  • For foreign adoptions, the member must submit a copy of the final court documents, along with a translation (if necessary), as well as proof of US citizenship for the child. The member can submit any of the following:

    • A copy of the front and back of the Permanent Resident Alien Card (green card) showing the IR-3 code.
    • A copy of a U.S. court order that recognizes the foreign adoption, or documents the "re-adopting" of the child in the United States.
    • A letter from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services which states the status of the child's adoption.
    • A copy of U.S. passport (page with personal information only)
    • A copy of Certificate of Citizenship.
  • The member must submit receipts or cancelled checks that substantiate authorized expenses along with the application. If receipts are from a foreign entity, the receipts should list the US currency equivalency.
  • In cases where a qualified adoption agency arranged the adoption, the member needs to submit proof of the agency's involvement.

Qualifying Adoption Expenses.

A member will be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses, which include the following:
  • Public and private agency fees, including adoption fees charged by an agency in a foreign country.
  • Placement fees, including fees charged adoptive parents for counseling.
  • Legal fees, including court costs, for services that are unavailable to a member of the military services.
  • Medical expenses, including hospital expenses of the biological mother of the child to be adopted and of a newborn infant to be adopted, for medical care given to the adoptive child/children before the adoption, and for physical examinations for the biological mother of the child to be adopted. Members shall avail themselves of the military treatment facilities (MTFs) once the child has been placed in the home by the placement agency for adoption.
  • Temporary foster care charges when payment of such charges is required to be made before the adoptive child's placement.
The term " reasonable and necessary expenses" does not include:
  • Travel costs incurred for the adoption.
  • Any costs associated with an adoption arranged in violation of federal, state, or local law.

For complete information regarding the adoption reimbursement program, please see 10 U.S.C. 1052, DoDFMR, Vol. 7C, Chapter 4 ( www.dod.mil/comptroller/fmr ) or DoDI 1341.9 ( www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/ )

If you have any questions concerning your claim, send an e-mail to DFAS Adoption Reimbusement at CCL-ADOPTION-REIMBURSEMENT@dfas.mil.