DEERS question

[missvrapter 9]

So I'm due to marry a US infantry soldier late november on my K1 visa... after we're married, can my fiance (husband to be) enroll me in DEERS before i get my SSN? He is stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia and his family lives in New York so I'll be flying to Georgia and staying in a hotel until we have a place to live on base (we were told we'd have a 3 day wait after placing our names on the waiting list for housing). If I have to wait to get my SSN before I can enroll in DEERS then I'm going to have to rearrange my whole travel plans; marry him, fly to NY to stay with his family, apply for my SSN, then fly to Georgia and enroll in DEERS.

[Scoutmia 1]

YES! I am married to a US Army Active duty PV and I just came back from the ID place and I got my ID card with the insurance and all benefits. You will have to renew it periodically every 90 days until you get your PR Status. After you're married he will need to process you or send you the papers so you can go to the closest DEERS/ID Place to get yours.

[Hopeful2004 70]

Hi there. You do not need a SSN to be enrolled in Deers. Just make sure you have your marriage certificate and your birth certificate with you. To get your ID card, you'll need 2 forms of identity and birth certificate. Things will go smoother if he's present but either way it goes, there's no need for a SSN.

And as far as housing goes, I'd advice you to have a back up plan. Speaking from experience, 3 day wait sounds too good to be true!!

From another Army wife stationed in Fort Hood.

Take care.

[Hopeful2004 70]

Every 90 days until PR status? Never heard of that. I recently renewed my 3rd ID card in August and it's good until 2017. I'm not PR yet.

[haggarda.versoza 3]

So I'm due to marry a US infantry soldier late november on my K1 visa... after we're married, can my fiance (husband to be) enroll me in DEERS before i get my SSN? He is stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia and his family lives in New York so I'll be flying to Georgia and staying in a hotel until we have a place to live on base (we were told we'd have a 3 day wait after placing our names on the waiting list for housing). If I have to wait to get my SSN before I can enroll in DEERS then I'm going to have to rearrange my whole travel plans; marry him, fly to NY to stay with his family, apply for my SSN, then fly to Georgia and enroll in DEERS.

Can my fiance (husband to be) enroll me in DEERS before i get my SSN?

Yes. However, it will only become a temporary ID; you can't enroll under TRICARE or other miltary benefits as they will need your SSN to match in DEER database.But oOnce you have your SSN, you need to go back to the base and have your ID updated once your SSN.

[missvrapter 9]

Thankyou for the responses, they've helped me out alot! I'm planning on marrying my fiance, applying for a SSN then enrolling into DEERS, that way I will have proof I have actually applied for one and it shouldn't be too much trouble!

[marapot 3]

First, as long as you are legally married to a US Military Member and you have the required documentation (normally original marriage certificate and your birth certificate), DEERS may issue you an ID card.

Since you are getting married in Georgia, you should be able to get a Family Member ID Card issued to you at a military facility closest to your place of marriage as long as your husband accompanies you. I know you obviously will be travelling with your passport but bring an original birth certificate and another unexpired ID (e.g. driver's license) as well. Bring these and your original marriage certificate to the closest issuing military facility and there should be no problem with obtaining an ID. Regarding the SSN, since you are a foreigner (and don't have Permanent Resident PR status yet), you should be issued a Foreign ID Number (FIN) instead of a Tax ID Number (TIN). If they mistakenly issue you a TIN, then your "Direct Care" eligibility (eligibility for medical/dental care) is only good for 90 days hence you will need to keep renewing every 90 days if you want to retain Direct Care eligibility. Some DEERS ID section assume that you are a PR and may issue you a TIN instead of FIN so if I were your husband, I will make sure to bring that subject up at the ID section. They normally accept walk-ins on a case by case basis but if you know when you are getting married and when an original marriage certificate can be available, your husband can use the following link to make an appointment at the US military facility (that has ID issuance capability closest to your place of marriage:

https://rapids-appointments.dmdc.osd.mil

FYI - Most US Embassies and Consulates normally provide ID Card services but frequency of issuance varies (some do it only twice a month) and they normally dont take walk-ins so you'll have to schedule in advance. Documentary requirements are usually the same with one addition - your husband has to go to his ID Issuing facility with your original birth certificate and marriage certificate, request for a DD Form 1172-2 (Application for Identification Card/DEERS Enrollment), sign the form, and mail the signed original to you. Your husband can use the same link above to make an appointment at the embassy / consulate nearest your location.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

[Darnell 8,478]

if you can swing by the local SSA office, go and apply for a SSN. It's allowed, as a K-1 visa holder, usually best to apply between 14 days of I-94 issuance and before 74 days of I-94 expiration. Apply in VISA name, then go back next day, get the number or learn of further problems.

[marapot 3]

Just 2 further clarifications:

1. If your husband CAN'T accompany you to the ID issuance, whether in the U.S. or at the U.S. Embassy, you need to have a signed DD Form 1172-2 along with the previously mentioned documents.

2. If a TIN is assigned in relation to your ID card, the Direct Care eligibility is only valid for 90 days at a time until you can show proof of a valid SSN issued in your name.