Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 7/7/2008

Question
I am married and my husband just joined the army. He is in basic training now. I am not going to change my last name. I have just recieved my form to get my ID card and it has his last name on the form instead of mine.  my husband said I would have to wait the change my name until after he is out of boot camp.  the only problem with that is we have a 3 year old son. I cant get insurance until I file that form, is there any way around that?

Answer
Dear Marie --

You must file a DD Form 1172 to add yourself and your child into DEERS, to get you an ID card, and to establish your eligibility for Tricare Health Insurance.  

You do not have to change your name. You can cross out the wrong name and write in your correct name on the form.  Take the form, your driver's license (or other US identification), a notarized copy of your marriage certificate, and the baby's birth certificate to the personnel assistance center or office, at the base closest to you.  The admin there should look your husband up in the personnel files based on the data on the DD Form 1172, and then enter you and the child as dependents.  Once you are entered as dependents, you can get an ID card.  On the first day of the next month, you should be eligible for Tricare Health Insurance.

Please write back, and let me know if you had success.  I'll try to help if you run into additional road blocks.

Good luck to you and your new family.