Kara Sears
Military ID cards are issued to active-duty members, retired military members, and their dependents. While children under the age of 10 can access benefits using their parents' IDs, certain circumstances may require them to have their own ID cards. Generally, parents and parents-in-law are not eligible for military IDs unless they are financially dependent on their children, in which case they may be considered secondary dependents. To obtain a military ID card for a dependent, individuals must typically visit a RAPIDS office and provide the necessary documentation, such as a DD Form 1172-2 and proof of dependency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can get a military ID card? | Surviving spouses and eligible children of deceased active-duty members, retired military members, Medal of Honor recipients, 100% disabled veterans, and surviving dependents of deceased reserve members. |
| Who are considered secondary (non-primary) dependents? | Parent, parent-in-law, step-parent, parent by adoption, or any person who stood ‘in-loco parentis’ (in the place of a parent) to you for at least five years before your emancipation. |
| What are the requirements to be considered a dependent? | The individual must be “in fact” dependent on the member, so the member’s contribution must be more than one-half of the dependent’s actual monthly living expenses. |
| What are the benefits of having a military ID card? | Healthcare, access to military facilities, commissaries, MWR centers, support agencies, and community discounts. |
| How to obtain a military ID card? | Visit the DOD ID Card Reference Center or the ID Card Office Online, or go to any Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System site in person. |
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What You'll Learn
- Parents-in-law can get a military ID card if they are financially dependent on their child
- The child must provide over 50% of their parents-in-law's basic needs
- The child must provide over 50% of their parents-in-law's monthly living expenses
- Parents-in-law must be added to the child's RED/DA as a dependent
- The child must then add their parents-in-law to DEERS/RAPIDS
Parents-in-law can get a military ID card if they are financially dependent on their child
Military ID cards are issued to those who are financially dependent on a member of the military. This includes parents-in-law, as well as parents, step-parents, and adoptive parents. To qualify as a dependent, the individual's income must be less than half of their actual living expenses. The service member's contribution must exceed 50% of the dependent's expenses. This means that the member is responsible for more than half of the dependent's monthly living expenses.
To obtain a military ID card for a parent-in-law, you will need to provide a DD Form 1172-2 and any documentation proving the dependent's status. This could include a marriage certificate, proof of enrollment as a full-time student, a medical sufficiency statement, or a financial dependency determination. In the case of parents, you will also need to provide a birth certificate, a sponsor's or spouse's birth certificate reflecting the parent's name, and a DD Form 137-3.
Military ID cards for spouses, dependents, veterans, and retirees can be obtained through the ID Card Office Online or in person at any Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) site. RAPIDS offices are located on military bases, at National Guard armories, and at reserve training locations. These may be called the Pass and ID office, Military Personnel Flight, DEERS office, Personnel Support Detachment, ID Card Section, or S1, among other names.
Military dependent ID cards unlock valuable benefits for family members, including healthcare, access to military facilities, commissaries, Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) centers, support agencies, and even discounts within the community. It is important to note that children under the age of 10 are not typically issued military ID cards, but they can access benefits and healthcare using their parent or guardian's military ID. However, children of all ages may need a dependent ID card if they are in the care of another parent or guardian who is not eligible for military benefits, so they can continue to access medical care when the service member is not with them.
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The child must provide over 50% of their parents-in-law's basic needs
Military ID cards are generally not issued to individuals under the age of 10, except in certain circumstances. These include situations where the child's sponsor is a single parent without an eligible spouse, or where the child's parents are dual-military parents. Military spouses and dependents can renew their ID cards by providing a birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or other official documents.
To be eligible for a military ID card, the family member must first be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS). Dependents will need a Social Security number or a tax ID number if they are US citizens or persons. Dependents must also provide proof of their relationship to their military sponsor, such as a birth certificate.
Spouses of veterans are eligible for a military ID if the veteran is eligible to receive medical care and other benefits from the Department of Defense (DOD). This includes veterans with a 100% disability rating or those who are 100% unemployable due to a service-connected injury or disease. Surviving spouses and eligible children of deceased active-duty members, retired military members, and disabled veterans are also eligible for military IDs.
In the case of parents, they can receive a military ID if they are financially dependent on their child. Specifically, the child must provide over 50% of their parents' basic needs, including food, housing, clothing, and medical care, for a minimum of 12 months. This would make them a secondary dependent, and they would need to be added to the child's RED/DA and DEERS/RAPIDS paperwork.
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The child must provide over 50% of their parents-in-law's monthly living expenses
Military ID cards are issued to eligible veterans, retired military members, and their spouses and children. To be eligible for a military ID card, one must be a registered dependent in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and be eligible to receive medical care and other benefits provided by the Department of Defense (DOD).
Parents-in-law can be added as military dependents in certain circumstances. To qualify, the parents-in-law must be financially dependent on the service member, with the service member contributing more than half of their monthly living expenses. This financial dependency must be proven with documentation, such as receipts of contributions and inventory of all income categories. The parents-in-law must also meet the definition of a "parent", which includes parents-in-law or an adult who assumed parental responsibilities before the service member turned 21. Legal adoption is not specifically mentioned as a requirement, but specific documentation, such as an affidavit, is required for most branches.
The process of adding parents-in-law as dependents varies slightly between different branches of the military. For parents-in-law by marriage, the service member's birth certificate and marriage certificate are required, while step-parents will need the parents' marriage certificate. Legal guardians may also need additional documentation, such as affidavits. Once approved, parents-in-law who are dependents may become eligible for a military ID card and medical coverage.
It is important to note that there are other factors that determine eligibility for a military ID card, and each case is unique. For specific guidance on eligibility and the application process, it is recommended to consult official military sources or seek advice from a relevant government department.
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Parents-in-law must be added to the child's RED/DA as a dependent
Military ID cards are issued to those eligible to receive medical care and other benefits provided by the Department of Defense (DoD). Military ID cards for spouses, dependents, veterans, and retirees cover benefits such as health benefits through TRICARE, access to commissary and exchange, Morale, Welfare and Recreation, and other privileges.
Parents-in-law are eligible to receive a military ID card as secondary dependents. To be eligible, the service member must be able to prove that they provide more than 50% of their parents-in-law's financial support. This includes basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, and medical care for a minimum of 12 months. In other words, the service member must be able to legally declare their parents-in-law as dependents on their taxes.
To obtain a military ID card for parents-in-law, they must first be added to the child's RED/DA as a dependent and then to the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). This can be done by contacting the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and completing the necessary paperwork. Once the parents-in-law are added as dependents, the service member can receive an increased Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and obtain a military ID card for them.
It is important to note that the process of obtaining a military ID card for parents-in-law may vary depending on the specific branch of the military and other factors. Therefore, it is recommended to contact the appropriate authorities, such as the Customer Care Center or the local RAPIDS office, to obtain detailed information and guidance on the required documentation and procedures.
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The child must then add their parents-in-law to DEERS/RAPIDS
To add their parents-in-law to DEERS/RAPIDS, the child must first ensure that their parents-in-law meet the criteria for being considered dependents. Generally, this means that the child must provide for at least 51% of their parents-in-law's basic needs, including food, housing, clothing, and medical care, for a minimum of 12 months. Additionally, the child must be able to legally declare their parents-in-law as dependents on their taxes.
Once the child has confirmed that their parents-in-law meet the criteria, they can begin the process of adding them to DEERS/RAPIDS. This typically involves contacting the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and completing the necessary paperwork. The child may also need to provide documentation proving that their parents-in-law are financially dependent on them.
The child can then visit a local ID card office, such as a Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) site, to obtain a military ID card for their parents-in-law. These sites are typically located on military bases, at National Guard armories, and at reserve training locations. It is recommended to call ahead to verify business hours or set up an appointment. Alternatively, the child can set up an appointment online or renew their USID card online if they meet the criteria.
It is important to note that, as of March 1, 2025, the RAPIDS/IDCO website is no longer used to schedule appointments, and a new system has been implemented to streamline scheduling and check-in. Additionally, starting in 2026, Legacy USID will no longer be accepted for access to benefits, privileges, or DOD bases, so it is essential to obtain a Next Generation USID.
By following these steps, the child can successfully add their parents-in-law to DEERS/RAPIDS and obtain a military ID card for them, provided that they meet the criteria for being considered dependents.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, parents-in-law can get a military ID card but only if they are financially dependent on their child.
To get a military ID card for your parents-in-law, they need to be added to your RED/DA as a dependent and then to DEERS/RAPIDS. Once that is done, you can get them an ID card.
Military ID cards unlock several benefits for family members, including healthcare, access to military facilities, commissaries, MWR centres, support agencies, and community discounts.
Children under the age of 10 do not typically need a military ID card as they can access benefits and healthcare using their parent or guardian's ID. However, there are certain situations in which a military ID card may be necessary for children under 10. These include: the child's sponsor is a single parent; the child lives with a temporary guardian; the child lives with a non-sponsor spouse; or unique circumstances determined by the installation's security office.
To obtain a military ID card, you need to bring a completed DD Form 1172-2 and two current original forms of identification to a RAPIDS office.
