From 'I Do' to BAH: How to Register Your Marriage for Military Housing Allowance

Getting married in the military is exciting – but it also triggers a paperwork adventure that can feel like more work than MEPS. One big reward for tying the knot (besides the love of your life) is a boost in your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) once your marriage is official in the eyes of Uncle Sam. BAH is the tax-free housing allowance that helps cover your rent or mortgage when you live off-post, and it increases significantly when you have dependents (i.e. a spouse or kids)[1]. In fact, adding a spouse can bump your pay by hundreds of dollars a month, and if you’re in a high-cost area or overseas with COLA, those allowances go up with dependents as well[1]. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process from start to finish – from getting legally married (even if you’re deployed) to updating military systems – so you can start collecting that sweet BAH with dependents rate as soon as possible. (Don’t worry, we’ll decode the acronyms and use some good ol’ military jargon along the way!)

Understanding BAH and Why Marriage Matters

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a stipend to offset housing costs for service members not living in base housing. The amount is determined by your rank (pay grade), your duty station’s zip code, and whether you have dependents[2]. When you’re single with no dependents, you receive “BAH without dependents”. Once you’re married (or otherwise have a dependent), you qualify for the higher “BAH with dependents” rate. The difference is substantial – for example, an E-4 at Fort Bragg might get around \$1,200 without dependents but over \$1,500 with a spouse (exact rates vary by location and year). Essentially, the military recognizes that a married service member has greater housing needs (you might want to live off-base with your spouse instead of the barracks), so they pay you more. If you’re currently living in the barracks or aboard ship, getting married is usually your ticket to move out and receive BAH (cue the “goodbye, barracks living!” cheer[3]).

Calculate Your BAH Increase

Want to see exactly how much more you’ll get after marriage? Use our BAH calculator to compare single vs. married rates for your specific rank and location:

Dual-military couples: If both you and your spouse are service members, you each get its own BAH. However, neither of you can claim the other as a dependent for BAH purposes – so you’ll each receive the without-dependents rate (unless you have a child, in which case the higher-ranking member can claim the child and get the with-dependent rate)[4]. Even so, both of you should still update your records after marriage, and you’ll each continue to collect your respective BAH. Also, once you’re married and in the system together, you become eligible for other benefits like Family Separation Allowance if one of you deploys or goes on unaccompanied orders down the line[5].

Before we dive into the steps, keep in mind that any valid marriage counts for the military – whether you had a big church wedding, a courthouse civil ceremony, or even a proxy/online marriage. The key is obtaining an official marriage certificate from a U.S. state or territory. The Department of Defense recognizes legal marriages from any state (and many foreign countries too), so long as you have that proof on paper[6]. Next, we’ll cover exactly how to get married (even if you and your sweetheart are oceans apart), and then how to register that marriage with the military to start drawing your benefits.

Step 1: Getting Legally Married (Even While Deployed)

First, you need to actually get married and obtain a marriage certificate – the golden ticket to unlock your BAH and other spousal benefits. If you’re stationed stateside with your partner, this could be as simple as both of you visiting the county clerk for a license and saying “I do” before a judge or chaplain. But military life isn’t always that convenient – you or your fiancé might be deployed, in training in different states, or otherwise unable to be together in person. Thankfully, modern solutions have your six. Did you know you can legally get married online via Zoom?

Utah in particular has made it possible for couples anywhere in the world to marry remotely. In fact, Utah County allows online marriage ceremonies via video – you apply for a license online and an authorized officiant marries you over a video call – and this marriage is 100% legal and recognized in all 50 states[7]. Military couples love this option because you don’t need to wait for leave or travel; you can tie the knot even if one of you is overseas. As one guide explains: “Thanks to Utah’s virtual marriage options, now military couples can legally get married online from anywhere in the world — even if you’re stationed overseas or in different states.”[8] That means if one of you is in Korea and the other in Texas, or you’re on deployment but can sneak onto a computer with internet, you can still get married.

How does an online marriage work? Here’s a quick overview: You’ll fill out a digital marriage license application (uploading IDs for both of you and paying the license fee online). Once approved, you book a video ceremony with an officiant (Utah has authorized officials who do Zoom weddings). You and your partner join the video call (witnesses can join remotely too if required), and you go through the vows just like an in-person wedding – only your officiant might be on your laptop screen! After you both say “I do” (and maybe a virtual kiss), the officiant electronically signs the license and submits it to the county for recording. Within a short time (often within 24 hours), you’ll receive your official marriage certificate digitally, and a paper copy is mailed to you[9]. Utah County emails you a certified digital copy (with a seal) and sends out the paper certificate by next business day mail[9]. That certificate is your proof of marriage for the military, just like any other marriage – it’s legally valid for name changes, DEERS enrollment, BAH, immigration, you name it[9]. In other words, “your Utah marriage certificate is legal for all military branches and for spousal benefits.”[6]

Using an online marriage service: To make this process even easier, a service like Vowed & Clear can guide you through it step by step. We specialize in providing legal U.S. marriages online – perfect for military members who can’t be in the same place at the same time. Our platform uses the Utah online license system, so you can get married via Zoom from anywhere (as long as you can join a video call). We handle the heavy lifting: helping you apply for the license, scheduling a licensed officiant for your virtual ceremony, and ensuring you promptly receive your certified marriage certificate. It’s a fast, legit, and stress-free way to get married without waiting months for leave or spending a fortune on travel. Many couples complete the whole process in just a day or two[10]. So if you’re eager to make it official and start securing your benefits, Vowed & Clear has you covered.

Pro Tip: Whether you marry online or in person, make sure to request certified copies of your marriage certificate from the county clerk. The one you sign at the ceremony or the decorative souvenir from a chapel is not the official document the military needs. You usually have to wait a few days for the county to register the marriage, then obtain an official copy with a raised seal or certification stamp[11]. If you use the Utah online system, the digital PDF they send is a certified copy, and you can also order extra paper copies[9]. It’s wise to have at least one or two certified copies on hand for all the upcoming paperwork.

Now that you’ve tied the knot and have the marriage certificate in hand, it’s time to let the military know about your new dependent. On to DEERS and ID cards!

Step 2: Registering Your Marriage with the Military (DEERS Enrollment & ID Card)

Once you’re legally married, your next mission is to get your spouse enrolled in DEERS. DEERS stands for Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System – a mouthful of a name, but essentially it’s the database that tracks military members and their dependents for benefits. Enrolling your spouse in DEERS is the key to unlocking all your spouse’s military benefits: healthcare (Tricare), base access, commissary, and yes, BAH and other pay entitlements. In short, if it’s not in DEERS, it’s not real as far as the military is concerned. So you’ll want to knock this out as soon as possible after the wedding – ideally within a few days of getting your marriage certificate.

Where to go: To enroll a new spouse, visit your nearest military ID card facility, often called a RAPIDS office. If you’re stationed on an installation, the ID card/DEERS office is usually on base (for example, at the personnel center or admin building). If you’re far from a base (National Guard/Reserve on rural duty, etc.), you can search the RAPIDS site locator for an authorized facility[12]. Many offices require an appointment, so call ahead or use the online scheduler if available. When you go, it’s recommended (and sometimes required) that both you (the service member) and your spouse attend together. (In some cases, if the spouse can’t be there in person immediately – say they’re still back home – you can enroll them yourself by bringing all their documents, or the spouse can go later with a power of attorney. But doing it together is easiest.)

What to bring: Don’t be “that guy” who shows up to DEERS missing a document and gets sent away – prepare your paperwork ahead of time. At minimum, you must bring the original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate as proof of the marriage[13][11]. Additionally, bring two forms of ID for your spouse (the spouse is the one being added):

Spouse’s photo ID – a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or other government-issued photo identification.
Spouse’s Social Security card (if available, or know their SSN).
Spouse’s birth certificate (especially if they have no military ID yet, to verify identity and citizenship).

Having these vital documents is usually required to establish the spouse’s identity and relationship[13]. If your spouse is not a U.S. citizen, you would bring their immigration documents/passport and translation if needed – but in most cases for a U.S. marriage, a valid passport or ID will do alongside the marriage cert. Also, you, the service member (often called the sponsor in DEERS-speak), should bring your own military ID card and be prepared to authenticate your identity as well.

At the DEERS office, you’ll fill out an enrollment form (or the clerk will have you digitally sign something) to add your spouse into the system as your dependent. Once everything is verified, your spouse will be officially added into DEERS on the spot. Congratulations – now the military recognizes your marriage in its databases!

Get the Dependent ID Card: Right after enrolling in DEERS, your spouse is eligible for a military dependent ID card (called a DD Form 1173 or similar, often just referred to as a “dependent ID”). In fact, most DEERS offices will do the ID card in the same visit as the enrollment[14]. The spouse will get their photograph taken and be issued a tan-colored military ID card that shows they are your spouse. This ID card is a big deal – it’s essentially your spouse’s pass to all things military. As one military spouse resource put it, “This is your free-access pass to all benefits military, including the commissary, the PX/BX, the hospital, the post gym, and of course, the post itself.”[14] With that ID, your husband or wife can get on base without you, shop at the commissary, and use medical facilities. Make sure they memorize your SSN (since benefits are tied to the service member’s info)[15], and keep that ID card safe – it’s as valuable as a credit card in this world.

Note: If your spouse is also a service member (i.e. dual-military marriage), they won’t get a dependent ID card (since they already have a military ID as a service member). However, you still need to enroll the marriage in DEERS so that both of you are listed as each other’s dependents in the system. This is important for things like joint travel orders, claiming allowances, and family benefits. In dual-mil cases, you’ll each continue using your respective CAC/military IDs, but DEERS will reflect your married status for entitlements.

Updating other records: After DEERS, there are a few other administrative updates that typically happen. Often, the DEERS office will have you fill out or verify a DD Form 1172-2 (Application for ID Card/DEERS) which documents the enrollment – they might give you a copy. Your unit will also eventually update your Page 2 / DD93 (Dependents and Emergency Contact info) to include your new spouse – usually your S-1 or admin shop will prompt you to do this, or you can be proactive and ask to update your Record of Emergency Data to list your spouse as next of kin. These steps ensure the military has your dependent on file for notifications and benefits beyond just ID cards.

With your spouse enrolled and ID card in hand, you’ve cleared the biggest hurdle. But don’t stop yet – to get that BAH increase, you need to update your pay information. Time to head to finance!

Step 3: Updating Your Housing Allowance and Pay (Starting BAH with Dependents)

Enrolling your spouse in DEERS makes you eligible for BAH at the with-dependent rate, but it doesn’t automatically start flowing the extra money into your bank account. For that, you need to inform your service’s finance/pay office of your new dependent and submit the proper form to start BAH (and any other pay adjustments like Family Separation Allowance or COLA changes). Each branch has a specific form or process for updating your housing allowance:

Army: Fill out a DA Form 5960 (Authorization to Start/Stop/Change BAH) and attach a copy of your marriage certificate[16].
Air Force/Space Force: Submit an AF Form 594 (Application to Start/Stop BAH).
Navy/Marine Corps: BAH adjustments are often done via a Dependency Application/Record of Emergency Data update (NAVPERS 1070/602, also known as Page 2) and a BAH entitlement memo – your Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) or admin center will guide you.
Coast Guard: Use a Dependency Worksheet (CG-2020) or similar to report your new dependent for BAH.

In many cases, your S-1 or admin office can process the BAH change for you when you turn in your marriage certificate – often as part of a “marriage packet” of paperwork. For example, one Army spouse recalls, “All I had to do was show up with our marriage license and his S1 processed the entire packet for us”[17]. In other units, you may take the documents yourself to the base Finance Office. Either way, the critical piece is proof of marriage (certified certificate) and completing the dependency form. Make sure to keep copies of everything you turn in, and get a point of contact in case you need to follow up.

What happens next? Once finance processes your documents, they will update your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) to reflect your new BAH status. Instead of “BAH Type: Without Dependents,” it should switch to “With Dependents” (and if applicable, any increase in COLA for dependents will show too). Be patient – this isn’t instant. It typically takes a few weeks for BAH updates to be approved and visible in your pay. One resource notes that it can take about 3 to 5 weeks for the change to go through, depending on processing time and payroll cutoffs[18]. Realistically, expect to possibly miss one or two pay cycles before the higher BAH kicks in. Do not panic – you won’t lose that money. When the BAH-with-dependent is approved, they will back-pay you retroactively to the date your entitlement began. In this case, your entitlement start date is usually your date of marriage (as long as you were not in government housing after that date). The Army, for example, will provide back pay for the BAH difference once the paperwork is done[19]. Service members online have shared that even if you delay turning in the certificate for a while, “you will be back paid from the day you were married… doesn’t matter if you turn in the marriage cert 6 months after.”[20] Of course, you should not sit on it for 6 months – submit it as soon as you can – but that anecdote shows that the effective date is the marriage date in most cases, not the date you filed the paperwork. Keep an eye on your LES in the coming weeks and verify that your BAH status and pay change accordingly[21]. If a month passes with no change, follow up with your finance office, providing copies of your submission.

Let’s talk scenarios: If you were living in the barracks or ship, your command will typically authorize you to move out once married so you can use BAH for off-base housing. In some units, you might even start receiving BAH while still in the barracks if your spouse is living elsewhere – because the allowance is intended to support your dependent’s housing. For instance, married candidates at OCS/OTS get BAH for their spouse’s housing even though they themselves are temporarily in barracks. Generally, though, you’ll coordinate with your chain of command to out-process from the barracks or unit lodging when you get married. Each service/command has its own procedures (you might need to show your 1st Sgt or Chief the marriage cert, sign out of the dorms, etc.). Once that’s done, you’ll receive BAH monthly and can get a place to live. You have two main options for housing as a married couple: - Live in on-base/post housing. You can apply for base family housing, which might be a house or apartment on base. The catch here is you generally won’t receive BAH in your paycheck – instead, your entire BAH is typically allocated to the privatized housing management to cover your on-base housing rent (usually equal to your BAH rate)[22]. It’s convenient, but you won’t see that money directly. - Live off-base and pocket BAH. Many couples choose to rent or even buy a home or apartment off-base. In this case, you’ll get your full BAH payment in your pay each month, and you’re responsible for paying your rent/mortgage and utilities. If you find a place with rent lower than your BAH, you keep the leftover (which can be extra cash in your pocket)[23]. If the rent is higher, you’d pay the difference out of pocket. The freedom to live where and how you want – and possibly save money by budgeting your BAH – makes this an attractive choice for a lot of junior troops. Just remember, if you sign a lease off-base and later get PCS orders, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act lets you break the lease without penalty in most cases due to military orders.

Either way, once your marriage is registered and your BAH is activated, you have the financial support to set up your new home. This is a good time to sit down with your spouse and discuss housing plans and budget. If you’re looking to buy a home, you might consider VA home loan benefits, and if renting, be mindful of military clauses in leases[24]. The transition from single to married life in the military comes with these choices, so make the one that fits your family best.

Finally, with BAH flowing, don’t forget to double-check other pay entitlements. If you’re in an area that authorizes Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) or Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA for those abroad), those typically also have higher rates for those “with dependents”[1][25]. Ensure those got adjusted too when you updated your status. And if you happen to deploy or go on temporary duty away from your spouse for over 30 days, remember to file for Family Separation Allowance (FSA) – it’s an extra \$250 per month (currently) you get when separated from your dependents, but you only get it if your dependents (spouse) are enrolled in DEERS and your marriage is on record.

Step 4: Finalizing Your New Status – Other Tasks After Marriage

By now, you’ve accomplished the major tasks to register your marriage for BAH: you’re legally married with a valid certificate, your spouse is enrolled in DEERS and has an ID, and your BAH (and related pay) is updated to the with-dependent rate. Give yourself and your new spouse a pat on the back! But before you ride off into the sunset with that extra housing money, there are a few more administrative odds-and-ends to square away. The military is nothing if not thorough, so consider these final steps to fully integrate your spouse into your military life:

Healthcare (Tricare) Enrollment: Now that your spouse is in DEERS, they are eligible for Tricare health insurance. You’ll want to choose a Tricare plan for them (Tricare Prime, Select, or others depending on your situation). Often, after the DEERS update, you can simply go to the Tricare office or online portal and enroll your spouse. In many cases, this is quick – one military wife said once she had her ID card, “Tricare was a breeze” and it only took filling out a short form[26]. Don’t forget dental coverage – the Tricare Dental Program (through United Concordia) is available for spouses, but it requires a separate enrollment (which you can do online)[27]. Medical and dental benefits won’t start until the spouse is properly enrolled, so do this as soon as possible if they need to see a doctor or dentist.
Life Insurance and Beneficiaries: Update your SGLI (Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance) beneficiary information to include your spouse (if that’s your wish). By default, if you were unmarried, you might have had a parent or sibling as beneficiary – many folks change it to their new spouse upon marriage. You can do this through your unit’s personnel office or online via milConnect (SOES system)[28]. Also note, as of 2013, spouses aren’t automatically covered under Family SGLI if both are military – you have to opt-in for spousal coverage if desired[29]. Additionally, update other beneficiaries (Thrift Savings Plan, any unit death gratuity forms, etc.) and consider getting additional life insurance if needed now that you have family responsibilities[30].
Name Changes (if applicable): If you or your spouse are changing your last name after marriage, you have a checklist of items to hit. First, take that marriage certificate to the Social Security office to update your name and get a new Social Security card[31]. Once that’s done, update your name on your military records (your personnel office can update DEERS once you have the new SSN card). You’ll also need to get a new military ID card with the new name, and update your driver’s license and passport. It can be a bit of a scavenger hunt, so tackle it step by step. Also update your name on bank accounts, credit cards, and anywhere else necessary[32]. The sooner everything matches, the smoother life will be (especially when traveling or PCS’ing together).
Update Legal Documents and Contacts: Now that you’re married, consider updating or creating a will, power of attorney, and other legal documents to include your spouse or give them appropriate authority in your absence. If you had a will naming someone else, you likely want to change it to your spouse now. If you’re heading on deployment, a power of attorney for your spouse can be invaluable for managing things at home. Most base legal offices offer free services to help with wills and POAs. Also, ensure your DD93 (Record of Emergency Data) is updated with your spouse as your primary next of kin for notifications. Similarly, for Navy/Marine Corps folks, update your NAVPERS 1070/602 (Dependency Application/ Page 2) with your spouse’s info if you haven’t already – this is used for casualty notifications and other purposes.
Family Resource Programs: After the paperwork, don’t forget to plug into the support network available to military spouses. Encourage your spouse to join the unit’s Family Readiness Group (FRG) or spouse club if they’re interested. Providing your spouse’s contact info to your chain of command (often done by filling out a spouse notification form) will ensure they get looped into unit newsletters, deployment briefings, and resources for families[33]. The military community can be incredibly supportive, and getting connected early helps your spouse navigate this life.
Financial and Career Resources: As a new military family, take advantage of resources like the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program[34] and MyCAA scholarships for spouses’ education. If your spouse will be job-hunting after moving with you, every base has an employment readiness office to help, and there are programs specifically for spouse hiring. On the financial side, now is a great time to set up a budget together (your BAH boost can be significant, but make sure to use it wisely for housing and savings). Have your spouse look at your LES together with you each month so both of you understand the pay and deductions[21] – this transparency will help avoid surprises and build financial teamwork.

Lastly, enjoy your marriage! The military paperwork and acronyms can be overwhelming, but you’ve navigated the crucial steps to secure your benefits. You’ve gone from “I do” to having your spouse recognized across DoD systems, and you’re receiving the compensation and support your family is entitled to. The process might have felt like a lot of hurry-up-and-wait, but it’s a one-time gauntlet: once completed, you and your spouse are all set to fully partake in military life together. From extra pay in your pocket, to healthcare, to base privileges – it’s all squared away.

In summary, here’s a quick recap of the journey: You secured a legal marriage (even via an online Zoom wedding, making it happen despite distance)[7]. You obtained the certified marriage certificate and immediately charged into admin mode – enrolling your spouse in DEERS with all the necessary documents, getting their military ID card, and updating your personnel records. Then you filed the paperwork with finance to start receiving BAH at the with-dependent rate, patiently waited a few weeks (checked your LES compulsively), and saw the pay increase hit – with back pay included[19]. You’ve updated healthcare, insurance, and everything else to reflect your new status. Mission accomplished! Now you can focus on building your life together, with the reassurance that you’re getting all the support the military offers to married troops.

Marriage in the military can come with unique challenges, but with proper planning and by handling these bureaucratic steps, you’ve set yourselves up for success. Enjoy the extra BAH (maybe it covers a nicer apartment or extra savings each month), take care of each other, and don’t hesitate to use the resources out there for military families. Welcome to married life in uniform – where love and paperwork often march hand in hand! 🇺🇸💍

Sources

Military Spouse Magazine – “I Do – Now What Do I Do?” (Steps to enroll spouse in DEERS, get ID, update finance for BAH)[1][16]
Virtual Same Day Marriage – “How Military Couples Can Use Utah Virtual Marriage” (Utah online marriage recognized by all states and military)[6][8]
Reddit r/MilitarySpouse – first-hand account of Utah online marriage (legal via Zoom, ~$100, recognized everywhere)[7]
Utah County Clerk – Online Marriage License Application (process for online license, digital certificate as proof for benefits)[9]
Task & Purpose – “You’re married–now what? Guide to packing your parachute” (advice on DEERS enrollment, BAH, housing options)[35][22]
USAA Educational Foundation – “Just Married” (checklist for new military spouses: DEERS steps, finance, documents needed)[11][36]
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act blog – “Military Housing Allowance for Married Couples” (explains BAH with/without dependents, dual-military BAH rules, typical processing time)[4][18]
Reddit r/Military – discussion on BAH and barracks (back pay from date of marriage even if certificate turned in later)[20]
MilitaryOnesource.mil & Tricare.mil – various official resources on ID cards, DEERS, and benefits enrollment[37]. (Referenced for general accuracy on process.)