1.
What documentation must be submitted for a domestic or a foreign
adoption?
For
domestic adoptions, the following documentation must be
submitted:
-
DD Form
2675, Sept 2006, Reimbursement Request for Adoption Expenses.
Section VI is to be completed and signed by the Commanding Officer
or someone authorized to sign on their behalf. A separate form must
be completed for each child. The application must include the
correct direct deposit information. The form is available on line
at
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/eforms/dd2675.pdf
.
-
Copy of the
final adoption decree.
-
Copy of paid
receipts for reimbursable adoption expenses, such as canceled
checks, a letter from the adoption agency showing the amount paid,
etc.
For
foreign adoptions, the following documentation must be
submitted:
-
DD Form
2675, Sept 2006, Reimbursement Request for Adoption Expenses.
Section VI is to be completed and signed by the Commanding Officer
or someone authorized to sign on their behalf. A separate form must
be completed for each child. The application must include the
correct direct deposit information.
-
Copy of the
final court documents. (e.g. adoption order, adoption decree,
adoption certificate etc.) A translation of this documentation must
be included if necessary.
-
Copy of paid
receipts for reimbursable adoption expenses, such as canceled
checks, a letter from the adoption agency showing the amount paid,
etc. The receipts should be accompanied by the U.S. currency
equivalency if applicable.
-
Copy of
documentation to show that the adoption was handled arranged by a
qualified adoption agency. The following documentation may be
submitted:
(1) A
placement agreement from the adoption
agency.
(2) A letter
from the adoption agency stating what services it provided for the
adoption.
(3)
Documentation that describes the mission of the foreign agency and
the authority delegated from the foreign
government.
Documentation
of the adopted child's citizenship status. Any one of the following
documents is acceptable:
(1) A copy of
the front and back of the Permanent Resident Alien Card (green
card) showing the IR-3 code or a VISA showing the IR-3
code.
(2) A copy of
the personal information page of the child's U.S.
passport.
(3) A copy of
the child's certificate of citizenship.
(4) A letter
from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services which
states that the adoption is final.
(5) 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.
NOTE: Any other documentation such as
birth certificates, Social Security cards, and foreign passports
are not acceptable.
2.
How do I submit the documentation to
DFAS-CL?
Your
personnel office will assist you in assembling the documentation
needed to apply for reimbursement. You should obtain a receipt from
the personnel office showing that you submitted the adoption
reimbursement request in a timely manner for your records. They
will submit the completed claims package by certified mail
to:
Defense
Finance and Accounting Service
Cleveland Center - Code JFLAGA
1240 East Ninth Street
Cleveland, OH 44199-2055
Please, do
not send the packages electronically, by email or fax. Only
packages sent through certified mail can be
accepted.
3.
Are adoption reimbursements
taxable?
Adoption
reimbursements are nontaxable. A W-2 will be provided, however, the
taxable wages field of the W-2 will be zero-filled. The adoption
reimbursement payment will be reflected in Block 12 of the W-2 with
a designator code of "T" which indicates that it is a nontaxable
benefit.
4.
Can reserve members apply for adoption
reimbursement?
Only if the
member was on active duty continuously for 180 days and the
adoption was finalized while on active
duty.
5.
What if it has been more than one year since the final adoption and
I just found out about the
program?
Because the
law requires that you submit your application within one-year and
you failed to do so, you are not eligible for reimbursement. Some
exceptions may apply if you were deployed during the one year time
frame. Please send an e-mail to the adoption reimbursement e-mail
address (
CCL-ADOPTION-REIMBURSEMENT@dfas.mil
) for additional information.
6. I
was discharged from active duty but the adoption occurred before I
was discharged. Can I apply?
No, you need
to apply before you are discharged.
7.
What is required to prove that the adoption is
final?
If you
adopted the child in the United States you must provide a court
order showing that the adoption is final.
If you
adopted the child in a foreign country, you must provide a copy of
the final adoption decree (along with the translation, if
necessary) and proof of the child's U.S. citizenship status. Any
one of the following documents is
acceptable:
(1) A copy of
the front and back of the Permanent Resident Alien Card
(green card) showing the IR-3 code of a VISA
showing the IR-3 code.
(2) A copy of
the personal information page of the child's U.S.
passport.
(3) A copy of
the child's certificate of citizenship.
(4) A letter
from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services which
states that the adoption is final.
(5) 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.
Note: Any other documentation such as
birth certificates, social security cards, and foreign passports
are not acceptable.
8. My
child's immigration status shows that he/she was issued an IR-4.
Question number 7 states that I do not qualify. How can I
qualify?
You can
qualify once the child becomes a United States citizen or when you
re-adopt the child through a court in the United States. The
one-year time frame starts to run from the date that the child is
issued the citizenship certificate or from the date of the court
order, because that is when the adoption becomes final. Once you
obtain this information you may then submit your
application.
9.
How must an adoption have been arranged 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. (Hence, because the "other source" is required to be
authorized under U.S. law, foreign adoptions must still be arranged
by a qualified adoption agency).
10. I
did not use a qualified adoption agency. The adoption was for a
relative, or the birth mother placed the child with us. Do I
qualify for adoption reimbursement
expenses?
You may
qualify if the person placing the child for adoption is authorized
to do so under state or local law (i.e. U.S. law including U.S.
territories). The adoption also needs to be supervised by state or
local court (i.e. a court in the U.S. or one of its
territories).
11.
What types of receipts are
required?
Receipts
showing U.S. currency amounts.
A letter from the adoption agency stating the amount paid.
Canceled checks showing the amounts paid.
12.
How long does it take my claim to be
processed?
It takes
approximately 4 - 6 weeks for a determination to be made. For
claims that are approved, payment will be issued via direct
deposit. If your claim is denied, or additional information is
needed, you will be informed in writing.
13.
My spouse is adopting my children. I am active duty and my spouse
is not. Does this qualify for
reimbursement?
No, the
military spouse must be adopting the
children.
14.
Are clothes, bedding, toys and books reimbursable
expenses?
No, those are
not reimbursable expenses.
