DEERS help!

[bekahjayne]

I got the letter with the ticket information today, but it didn't have the DEERS paperwork with it. I'm assuming it comes later? He had called me earlier in the week and told me to mail him our paperwork (marriage license, both of our birth certificates, SS cards, and my ID) and I briefly read on the board that they have to be notarized? I'm thinking that has to be why he needed more copies, since I know the recruiter sent all of that with him when he went to MEPS. When you guys said notarized, did you mean by an actual Notary? Cause I'm starting to think I misunderstood because I didn't get them notarized, I just made sure they were stamped by the recruits. I'd appreciate help, if I messed up I need to know ASAP so I can mail him notarized copies!! 

[bekahjayne]

I am definitely learning about the copies and them losing things! This is the 2nd time Ive had to go and get paper work to send to him. He called me this morning and I was able to ask if he needed them notarized or stamped and he said stamped so luckily I didn't mail him the wrong thing. Thank you so much for the help, I appreciate it! 

[0s9ho13i27w90]

It will take a good 2-3 more weeks before you get the paperwork, I just got mine this past Friday. I had to get mine notarized BUT he originally told me to get them stamped by the recruiters, our recruiting office didn't have the official stamp they use so I think getting them notarized was the alternative that we had to use.

So yes, I had to go get them notarized by an actual notary (my local bank and UPS store - bank doesn't notarize marriage certificates for some reason) but I'm pretty sure the stamp from the recruiter is fine. If you feel uneasy about it you are welcome to get notarized copies and send them too (it could be another week or two until he can tell you you've sent insufficient documents), they just shred the notarized/stamped documents after doing the paperwork anyways.

My husband also had the documents with him at MEPS so this seems to be a newer issue they are having with not getting that paperwork put in during the MEPS process before they actually leave for boot camp. It is annoying but if the insurance is what you need they will back-pay charges made from the day your coverage started (the day he sworn in for the second time), you just have to call the billing department and let them know to re-process your insurance claims through Tricare (you use you'r DoD number as you'r insurance policy number which is assigned to you when he files the paperwork - it will be on your application for your dependent ID).

Since this will likely be your next set of questions:

Where to go to get your dependent ID - here is a link to the website that the recruiter sent me, it shows you the places where you can get your ID and gives the times they do them and if an appointment is needed. https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/appj/site?execution=e1s1

When you go to get your ID you can also initiate your Tricare coverage. Go to this website with your DoD number (on the paperwork) and create your account - this login will allow you to access over a dozen websites for benefits and information including Tricare to view/change your enrollment plan - be aware it is a LONG process!

Dental is provided from another company but is issued through Tricare (kind of confusing). That is also included with your DEERS/Tricare paperwork - it will be the only set of papers not filled out by your husband. You will need to submit that paperwork through your contractor (info given to you during Tricare enrollment) or you can mail in the application - probably the easier route. You will need your husband's (sponsor's) signature to enroll in dental though so you'll have to wait to complete that until after graduation.

***Also want to add that overnighting things doesn't work well with boot camp - at least not in our experience! I chose to do priority mail (2-day guarantee with tracking) for $7 instead of the $25 for 1 day shipping. SOOO glad I did, my husband didn't actually get the mail until over a week later - I would've been so mad if I spent that much money just so it could take just as long as mailing letters with no priority. Its something to consider if you don't have access to his checks, $25 can be a lot at times!

[bekahjayne]

He actually called me and I was able to ask him, he said he needed them stamped by the recruiter which made my day cause I had dropped the stamped papers off about an hour before posting this discussion! He's in between his 2-3 week right now so hopefully I'll get the deers papers within the next two weeks! Thank you so much, you're always a huge help!