Navy Benefits for Out-of-Wedlock Children
The U.S. Navy, like all branches of the Armed Forces, provides substantial benefits not only to its uniformed members, but also to family members. The Navy does not restrict benefits to spouses and children who are a product of that marriage, however. Sailors may register dependents who are born out-of-wedlock as well.
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DEERS
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DEERS, or the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, is the administrative system of the U.S. military that documents and tracks the status of military dependents, including spouses, children and other relationships. Military families frequently enroll children born out of wedlock and adopted children, provided there is proper documentation.
Enrolling a Child Born Out of Wedlock
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To enroll a child born out of wedlock in DEERs, gather documents demonstrating your status as a parent. For male service members, you must provide a Social Security card, birth certificate and either an acknowledgement of paternity or a court order establishing paternity. Female service members need only provide a birth certificate and Social Security card.
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Other Children
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Military members who are foster parents or who are legal guardians responsible for wards of the court must obtain a birth certificate and Social Security card for the children. In addition, you must obtain a letter of approval from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.
Benefits
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Any child enrolled in DEERS is eligible for all military family benefits and services typically enjoyed by dependents of the same age. The military does not issue distinctive identification cards to children born out of wedlock.
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