Don’t forget about military adoption benefits!
Active military personnel who adopt a child under 18 years of age may be reimbursed qualified adoption expenses up to $2,000 per adoptive child up to a total of $5,000 (if more than one child is adopted) per calendar year.
In the case of a dual military couple, only one member may claim expenses for each adopted child. Fees that can be reimbursed include adoption, legal and placement fees, court costs, and birth mother expenses.
Travel costs, foreign or domestic, are not covered. In a recent change of policy, military members adopting step-children are now eligible for reimbursement of expenses.
Expenses incurred through the adoption of a service member’s children by a non-service connected step-parent do not qualify for reimbursement. Adoption reimbursement is made by submitting a DD Form 2675 no later than one year after the adoption is final.
The service member must be on active duty when filing for the reimbursement. You cannot get paid twice for the same expense by different programs. A separate form must be submitted for each child adopted. Benefits are paid after the adoption is complete.
If you have questions as you are completing the form you can email the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) office in charge of reimbursement at [email protected].
Click here to read the qualifications for reimbursement
Additional Resources
Check out the links below for more info regarding military adoption benefits including how to get started, reimbursement, parental leave and health care.
Wherever My Family Is: That’s Home! – Really good reference guide from AdoptUSKids that provides adoption services available to military families.
The Exceptional Family Member Program – Provides services for military families with special needs including those who have adopted children.
National Family Military Association – Non-profit organization committed to strengthening and protecting military families, and focusing on issues important to them.
Child Welfare Information Gateway – Series of adoption-specific resources for military families
Military OneSource – Provides various information and consultations for military families on a broad range of topics including adoption.
