1) What documentation must be submitted for a domestic
or a foreign adoption?
For a domestic
adoption:
A separate DD Form 2675 for each
adopted child (please make sure that your correct direct deposit
information is listed on the form).
A copy of the final adoption decree.
Copies of paid receipts for reimbursable expenses.
For a foreign adoption:
A separate DD Form 2675 for each adopted child (please
make sure that your correct direct deposit information is listed on
the form).
A copy of the final court documents, along with translation, if
necessary.
Copies of paid receipts for reimbursable expenses,
converted to U.S. dollars if necessary.
Documentation to show that the adoption was handled by a qualified
agency:
*Documentation that describes the mission of the foreign
agency and the authority delegated from the foreign government.
*Placement agreement from the adoption agency or letter from
adoption agency stating what services it provided for the adoption.
Documentation of US citizenship for your child. You may
submit any one of the following documents:
*A copy
of the front and back of the Permanent Resident Alien Card (green
card) showing the IR-3 code or a VISA showing IR-3 category.
*A copy of U.S. passport (page with personal information only).
*A copy of Certificate of Citizenship.
*A letter from the United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services which states that the adoption is final.
*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.
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.
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 and proof of the child's U.S. citizenship status. You may
submit the permanent resident card with IR-3 visa stamp, U.S.
passport, certificate of citizenship, or a letter from the USCIS
(formerly INS). (A visa or permanent resident card with an IR-4
will not qualify because the child's citizenship status is not
complete.)
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 the
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.
-
Cancelled 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 you claim is denied,
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.
