Fort Benning MCoE Legal Assistance Office

22/01/2026

PARENT AS A DEPENDENT?
How to Apply for a Secondary Dependent?
Get started at:
DFAS.GOV
Search: Secondary Dependency – Parent(s)


Parent(s), parent(s)-in-law, step-parent(s), parent(s) by adoption, or any person who stood ‘In-Loco Parentis’ (in the place of a parent) to the sponsor for at least five years prior to the sponsor’s emancipation. NOTE: In loco parentis dependents are not entitled to an ID card (aka USIP)
How to Qualify for a Secondary Dependent
• Sponsors must provide more than one-half (50 percent) of the claimed individual’s support. You must prove financial dependency to qualify.
• For Uniformed Services Identification and Privileges (USIP) Card Benefits only: The claimed individual resides (lives) with member/sponsor. A member/sponsor may claim a parent as a dependent for housing and travel allowance purposes even if the parent is not residing with the member/sponsor.
How to Apply for a Secondary Dependent

Submitting your request is as simple as 1…2…3… just follow the steps below to apply for Secondary Dependency benefits.
1. Gather the Required Documents

• DD Form 137 - Secondary Dependency Application (ON THE WEBSITE)

• Prior Year’s Tax Return Submitted to the IRS Showing the Claimed Individual as a Dependent.

• Relationship Documents – such as BIRTH CERTIFICATE/MARRIAGE CERT

*You will need to send more than one document. Failure to provide supporting documents may delay or prevent consideration of your application.
Complete a DD Form 137 – Secondary Dependency Application.

*** Problems or questions? Come in and make an appointment with the Fort Benning Legal Assistance Office

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14/01/2026

For years, the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (OSJA), at Fort Benning, Georgia, has participated in the Internal Revenue Service’s Voluntary Income Tax Assistance Program to provide tax preparation services for persons eligible to receive legal assistance under Army Regulation 27-3. In recent years, a number of additional requirements have been added to our legal assistance attorney’s portfolio, including assisting victims of domestic violence, advocating for tenants in privatized housing, and explaining legal rights to education access. As a result, the decision was made on 5 October 2022 to no longer provide tax preparation services for otherwise eligible persons except for the dependents of Surviving Families. Moving forward, Soldiers, families, and retirees can find tax preparation assistance through Military One Source (MilTax) or through the Internal Revenue Service. Although tax preparation services will no longer be offered by the OSJA, our legal assistance attorneys remain available to answer substantive tax questions (e.g. tax controversies or issues pending before the IRS).

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14/01/2026

The Legal Assistance Office will be closed on January 16th and 19th for the training and federal holiday.

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10/01/2026

The legal office will be closed on Friday, January 16, 2026 for the training holiday and on Monday, January 19, 2026 for the Federal holiday.

24/12/2025

The MCOE Legal office is closed on 24 December 2025 in observance of the National holiday.

17/12/2025

The Legal Assistance Office will be closed on December 25th & 26th and again on January 1st and 2nd.

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22/11/2025

The government shutdown is done and our civilians are back at work. If we had to reschedule your appointment in October, please stop in to building 130, or call us at 706-545-3281 to schedule your appointment!

18/09/2025

FAILURE TO APPEAR (GEORGIA)
1. Contact the Court where you missed your appearance. Determine your options for resolving the matter.
2. Check your license on the Georgia DDS website to see if your license has been suspended due to the FTA.
• https://dds.drives.ga.gov/_/
3. After resolving the matter, obtain a court order or a “Fail Safe” letter indicating that the FTA /warrant have been cancelled or resolved.
4. Pay the reinstatement fee to have your license reinstated. An FTA suspension is $210.00
5. Submit the documents to DDS.
Scenario: You receive a speeding citation from Georgia State Patrol (GSP) or another law enforcement agency. The agency indicates that you can pay the citation by a certain date or you can attend Court. The court date is listed on the citation. You do not pay the citation, nor do you attend court. You will receive an FTA for failing to appear Court and eventually your license will be suspended. If this happens, follow the steps above.
If you need further information, please contact the Legal Assistance Office at (706) 545-3281.

12/09/2025

04/09/2025

PASSPORTS FOR MINORS
 The child must be under the age of 16.
 The passport is valid for 5 years.
 Complete a DS-11 form
 The passport application must be provided to the county’s Probate Court or Post office.
 Both parents must provide their approval for the child to receive a passport, and both parents must be present with the child.
UNLESS:
• The second parent notarized a written statement or DS-3053 consenting to the passport issuance for the child.
• The second parent is deceased (provide a death certificate).
• Evidence of sole authority to apply such as a court order granting sole legal custody or a birth certificate listing only one parent).
• There is an inability to locate the other parent (complete a DS-5525 form).
 You will need the child’s birth certificate.
 You will need a 2x2 photograph taken within the last 6 months (most facilities will take their picture at the time of applying for a passport).
 You will need a copy of both parents ID (driver’s license, passport, military ID, etc.)

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04/09/2025

GUARDIANSHIP FOR MINORS (GEORGIA)
TEMPORARY GUARDIAN: A person appointed by the probate court to take care of a child whose parents or other guardians have temporarily given up their parental rights.
 File a petition with the county’s Probate Court.
 You will need the minor’s birth certificate.
 The minor can make a guardian selection if 14 years of age or older.
 You will need both parents’ consent (in writing).
 The guardianship expires when the minor turns 18.
 The parents may petition the Court for an order to terminate the guardianship.
PERMANENT GUARDIAN: A person appointed for a minor who has no living parents or in other rare circumstances.
 File a petition with the county’s Probate Court.
 You will need the minor’s birth certificate.
 The minor can make a guardian selection if 14 years of age or older.
 You will need both parent’s death certificates.
 If the parents’ rights have been terminated, you will need a copy of the Order.

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04/09/2025

Requesting A Name Change for Alabama?
REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE (ADULT)
(ALABAMA)

 Complete a PS-12 petition.
https://eforms.alacourt.gov/media/jtzbncuw/request-to-change-name.pdf
 Attach a certified copy of your birth certificate.
 Attach a copy of your photo ID.
 Complete a background check of criminal history with both agencies listed below.
 Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
•https://www.alea.gov/sites/default/files/inline-files/SBI-ApplicationReviewALCHRI.pdf
 FBI
 Attach two forms of proof of residency (Examples: bills, mortgage, and lease).
 File all the documents in the Probate Court of the county that you reside in.
 Hearing set/Attend the hearing.
 POST-HEARING:
 Once you receive the court order, use the order to update your social security card, driver’s license, passport, bank accounts, etc.