DEERS Enrollment - Can I enroll without my Spouse/Sponsor?

I was able to discuss from my previous post about enrolling as my spouse’s dependent and getting the DEERS ID card at the US Embassy, Manila after we got married. 

Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) is a computerized database of military sponsors, families and others worldwide who are entitled under the US law to receive TRICARE benefits. So it is really important to register each family member as soon as possible to receive such benefits in a timely manner, even if the sponsor has already retired!

Active-duty and retired service members are automatically registered in DEERS, but they must take action to register their family members and ensure they're correctly entered into the database. In my case, since we got married, this was the first thing we did. Good thing, enrollment and ID capture facilities are readily available at the US Embassy, Manila.

I got a question that came from my formspring account and a fellow newlywed, with almost the same situation as I am, asked me this:

“hi..pede magtanong? im married to US army last May 28 and now he's in okinawa japan. sabi nya sken dalhin ko daw sa US embassy yung papers namen para mailagay ako sa DEERS at makakuha ng Military ID. Okay lang ba nawala sya at ako lang ang mag process nun?”

The sender was just asking if it’s okay for her to do the DEERS/Rapids ID enrollment even if the spouse is unable to accompany her. I was only able to cover previously how I was able to do it with my husband. 

The only reason why I had my spouse with me was because we both knew that there would be additional requirements, which I will discuss in a few. Aside from that, being with your spouse can make you avoid the VERY LONG LINE for Filipino applicants because there’s a separate lane for the US citizens, which is typically "just a few”. D and I were already 3rd in line when I would have been the 20th if we queued up on the other.

Now if you don’t have your spouse to accompany you to the embassy, there‘s no problem. You can still enter the embassy premises, but will have to be really early to get in line with the rest of the other people applying for visa as you CANNOT queue up to the American Citizen's lane, unless, of course, you’re an American Citizen. Falling in line early will give you peace of mind since you are required to be there before your scheduled appointment, and besides, you would only have to do this once!

Okay, enough with queuing up, on to more important things.

Yes, I just recently found out that an APPOINTMENT must be made via this website: http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwhju18.html. You must arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment. One appointment is good for one family. Available slots would ONLY be 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month.

Here are the OTHER requirements if spouse or sponsors are unavailable:

The dependent (YOU) must bring along a DOD Form 1172 signed by the sponsor (your husband) and notarized from a DEERS/RAPIDS workstation validating you as a dependent, along with a valid national ID (such as a Philippine/U.S. Passport, driver's license, NBI report, voter's card, etc.)

- OR -

The dependent must bring along a valid Power of Attorney notarized by a US notary which gives her the power to act on the sponsor’s behalf, along with a valid national ID as stated above.

- OR -

If the sponsor is deceased, the un-remarried spouse or unmarried former spouse may act on their own behalf.

But to be more clear with the LATEST procedure, call Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) at 301-2000 Ext 6340.

DEERS Enrollment, US Embassy Manila -- 11.04.09

Having a husband always has its benefits. Not only do you have a life partner, a best friend and a lover all rolled into one, but also you get to officially spend the rest of your life with him.

What's even better is that you also get to be a dependent to health benefits for having an active duty military spouse.

In order to receive such benefits, the sponsor must immediately enroll/register eligible family members to Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). After family members are registered, they can update personal information such as addresses and phone numbers.

The only way for us to accomplish this task is to rush down US Embassy Manila to have myself registered in their database. We were not able to immediately go to the embassy on the day after the wedding, which we originally have planned, because they only process such applications on the 1st Wednesday of each month. It was fortunate for us to have our wedding fall a week earlier, like things fell really in its place.


So we planned the embassy visit and set the date for November 4. Again, we woke up during the wee hours of morning to be able to queue up at the gates along Roxas boulevard at around 5AM. Luckily, D was second in line specifically for American citizens, while I simply stayed at the Starbucks across the embassy for my morning coffee. This was also the day when the 2010 Starbucks Planner was launched. Hence, I got a free sticker for being one of the first customers! :)

At around 6:30am, I went to where D was lined up as they would be opening the gates at 7:00AM. If you're wondering why we have to put up with this is because they only process applications on a first-come-first served basis. US Embassy Manila is one of the busiest US embassies in the world so just imagine how many people would queue up each day to have visa applications and other consular services processed.

It is important to bring your passport when entering the US embassy for identification purposes, otherwise, you will not be allowed to get inside.

You are to bring at least 2 valid IDs (not really required, but recommended), other than the passport. Why?

1. Electronic devices such as cellphones are not allowed inside. One must leave electronic gadgets at the front desk, along with a valid ID, and a claim stub will be given. Now, you wouldn't want your passport to be your claim stub just for your stuff, wouldn't you? (**UPDATE: leaving electronic gadgets are NOT ALLOWED anymore, so don't bring them). 
2. The Social Security and Veterans' Affairs section would ask you to leave an ID and a visitor's pass/ID will be given upon entering its premises.

You may bring your SSS, TIN or any of the government-recognized valid IDs, so that you can still keep your passport with you.

Most importantly, a personal appearance by the sponsor (in this case, my husband), is a must. Not bringing your sponsor may give you A LOT of additional requirements.


We needed to go to window 3 in the Social Security and Veteran's Affairs section for the DEERS/RAPIDS ID Card. Again, they're open on a 'first come, first served' basis, with only limited slots available.  They would normally allow only 30 applicants per day. It was indeed vital to get included in those 30 slots, otherwise, you'd have to wait another month to get this done. Much to my delight, we were 3rd in queue. Their office officially opens at 8:00am, but you are free get in the embassy by 7:00am. (**UPDATE: Now, you will have to schedule for an APPOINTMENT by going to http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwhju18.html. All the UPDATED information are there, but most are still pretty much the same).

Make sure to bring along valid documents to prove your relationship. You are required to bring your NSO copy of the birth certificate. Recently married couples also need to present the ORIGINAL copy of the marriage certificate. They do accept even the one that came from the Local Civil Registry (LCR), as long as it's original. The ID guy will only ask you to come back some other time with an original copy in case you just brought a photocopied one, and nothing else could be done. At window itself, they will use a scanner to save the document(s) in their database. Your spouse also must bring their DOD (Department of Defense) ID/Military ID to complete the process. There is absolutely NO FEE for the ID card, and it will be issued the same day.

Specimen only, but this is the very card I currently have
(source: http://whfrtc.ky.gov/iddeers/teslin.htm)

Who may avail?

The following personnel are eligible for DOD ID Cards: Active duty members, retired members, and members of the Reserve components not on active duty in excess of 30 days. Retired Reserve members who have reached their 60th birthday. Family members of military sponsors on active duty for more than 30 consecutive days. Family members of Ready Reserve (Selected, Individual and Standby Reservists) Family members of Retired Reservists, who have qualified for retired pay at age 60, yet have not reached age 60. Un-remarried or unmarried former spouses previously enrolled in DEERS. Medal of Honor recipients and their eligible family members. One hundred percent disabled veterans (DAVs) and their family members. Former members having reached age 60 and in recipient of retired pay for non-regular service, and their family members. Also eligible are survivors of the following: Active duty members. Retired with pay members. Reserve members on active or inactive duty. Retired reserve members who qualify for pay at age 60 but die before reaching age 60. One hundred percent DAVs. Medal of Honor Recipients. "Please note that DAVs MUST HAVE A COMBINED RATING OF 100% TO BE ELIGIBLE!!! DAVs receiving 100% because of unemployable status but your combined rating falls below 100% are not eligible, No exceptions will be made. (Source: http://www.dav3philippines.com/DEERS.htm)

Now I can use TRICARE and freely enter and exit military bases, commissaries, and other facilities!

All questions may be directed to (63) (2) 524-2227 on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Calls placed outside of these times will not be entertained. The workstation will be closed on all weekends and U.S. and Philippine federal holidays.

For more tips in planning a trip to the US Embassy in Manila, and to see how our first visit went, click here.