Paperwork to join my FI overseas after wedding

Re: Paperwork to join my FI overseas after wedding

• rdlclark member

  

  July 2009 edited December 2011

  I'm seriously late on this, but for anyone else wondering the "No Fee Passport" is government issued (and red) and used for official government travel while overseas (like your PCS move or if you were TDY).  It cannot be used for tourist travel (that's the blue one) and it would be in your best interest to get both. You can apply for the No-Fee through the passport office (or rep) on your military installation, and you usually need the same paperwork as you would for a normal passport.  If you want to save a little money, get your no-fee passport first, then apply for the tourist one and you can technically say you already have a passport and the fee can be reduced.  HTH!

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• arparsley member

  

  July 2009 edited December 2011

  The no fee passport isn't red it's blue for dependents(it can get confusing when carrying both at the same time), if you want you can skip your personal passport and save some money(a friend who just PCSed back to the states was pissed when she found out that she could have saved money by not getting one) but when your military passport expires you may have to give it back, losing all the places you have been with it.  You can travel overseas and sometimes it is necessary more so  to use the military passport, to get back into your overseas country because your visa will be inside it that lets your overseas country know that you are command sponsored to live in country.

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• rdlclark member

  

  July 2009 edited December 2011

  Wow, maybe it's just the AD military that get's the red no fee.  My bad. Anyone know the real answer?  

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• paradyse member

  

  July 2009 edited December 2011

  Your first step would be to take your marrisge certificate to Base & get enrolled in DEERS. (Dependent Enrolment System - whatever it's name is). Then you will be officially a military dependent. After that, Go to Tricare & get enrolled, have your FI change his beneficiary info on his SGLI (life insurance) & it will automatically give you a (FREE) policy that piggybacks on his. Also they will ask you when you get your ID if you are changing your name from the maiden & they will go ahead & enroll with the last name you choose. If you get up early & devote the day to doing all this, it will only take that one day. I would recommend making a trip to your closest Fleet & Family Support Center (my Fi is Navy so the name might be different for AF). Their job is to help out us poor military illiterate "Spouses". They will be able to give you more information about a FF Passport & also once you have your Dependent ID you are actually able to PROVE you need one... As for changing your name on your passport, all you have to do is file an addendum to the passport office (get more specific info online @ Post Office Website) & it won't cost you a dime to change the name on it. I hope this helps. It's what the FFS peolpe told me.

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• Rye's Bread

  

  August 2009 edited December 2011

  So, it's going to take a lot more work than you think.  DH and I were in your shoes about a year ago, except he hadn't left the states yet.  When we found out how much work it was going to be to get me to Oki after we got married, and how long it would take, we got married sooner.  So, here's what you need to do after you have a marriage certificate: 1.)  Get him to enter you into the system (change his SGLI info and spouse info, etc).  DH is a marine so I think he went through IPAC.  Not sure what the AF does.2.)  You need a specific power of attorney to get entered into DEERS unless he is with you.  You can get your ID at DEERS.3.)  He has to get his command to change his orders to include you.  Depending on his command, this could take months or even a year, or not at all (hence why we had to get married before he had to report to Oki).  You will not be able to get a gov't passport or be allowed to stay in Japan for longer than 3 months until you are on his orders.  They might make him extend his tour too if his orders change to accompanied.4.)  Once you are on his orders, you have to go through the medical clearance which is another PITA.  But, if you get an appointment, you can get it done in a day or two.5.)  I'm not sure, but his command may buy your ticket here and ship your stuff.  He needs to find out so you can prepare to come out here.6.)  Once you get here, you can apply for housing together on base.  As of a few days ago, families are no longer allowed to live off base.As for passports, I changed my name on my SS card, Driver's license, and credit cards and I just changed my name on my passport, but I traveled with my passport while the ticket was still in my maiden name.  Your ticket has to match your passport (and the orders will have to match as well if you're using your gov't passport and PSCing on their dime).  You can get a new passport once you get here though.  I just applied for a new one with no problems.All in all, and I'm sorry to say, the paperwork is going to be a PITA.  Your FI should really talk to his command now to see what he has to do from over here, but you can't really do anything until you're legally married.  We were able to complete all the paperwork within 6-8 weeks to get me on his orders but that's when we were both in the states together and I stayed with him for a week at the base.  It's not as easy as just buying a plane ticket over here because in order to have SOFA status, you have to be on his orders - meaning you can't live in housing here, have a driver's license, or stay for longer than 3 months unless you are on his orders.  Definitely get a POA once you are married so you can start the process of getting into DEERS and completing your medical evaluation in the States.  He should be able to execute one at the legal office on base.That said, we love it here.  It is a great place to start a marriage since we don't have a ton of distractions.  We live off base and love our house and our quiet life here.  We explore a lot and are completely open to all the things Okinawa has to offer.  If you have any more questions before or when you get here, don't hesitate to ask (you can email me at ryesbreat at gmail dot com).  I've (kinda) been in your shoes recently and know how hard it is. 

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