Does my spouse need a military passport to PCS with me to my OCONUS assignment in Germany?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 10:08:39 -0400

I am returning to Germany this fall and have made all the arrangements for My wife and I to PCS together. My wife already has a civilian passport and will be Command sponsored. She was told today by one of her customers at the CDC that she needs to have a military passport and a civilian passport for all OCONUS assignments. I just left Germany in 2011 and that was not a requirement then. Does anyone have any up to date information on this matter? Dose she actually need both types of passports or will her civilian passport and my orders suffice?

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 5 at 2015 10:10 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 10:10:43 -0400

Regular passport shoud be fine. Make sure she gets the SOFA stamp once you arrive in country.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 1:15 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 13:15:59 -0400

You should go to the Germany section of the Electronic Foreign Clearance Guide (FCG), which you should be able to access from any government network, and read the entry requirements for Germany. As there's no such thing as a "military" passport, that's not an issue. The FCG should list out all the requirements for entering the country for all the different sorts of folks in DoD that go to Germany. Your gaining command should also be able to tell you the exact requirement.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 5 at 2015 1:19 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 13:19:03 -0400

Yes, she needs an official no fee passport issued for the PCS. Your tourist visa will not work. Ensure there is a SOFA stamp in it. It has to do with SOFA compliance, especially if your wife wants to work

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 1:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 13:20:30 -0400

This is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much Sir! Where do we go to get a SOFA stamp?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 1:43 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 13:43:19 -0400

Actually she doesn't need a passport as long as you are both traveling together and you both have ID cards and you have a copy of your orders with her on them. However, a passport would be preferred/easier while traveling.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Jun 5 at 2015 7:01 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 19:01:55 -0400

My experience - no, she might not need a military passport. She will need a civilian passport in the EUCOM AO at least. In 2010 when my dependents in-processed and their dependent ID card updated in the database they received SOFA cards. We tried to get Mil no-fee passports in Stuggart and they said no, here's your SOFA card. But I will defer to anyone with a better read.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 12:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 12:01:29 -0400

yes its called a no fee sofa passport it allows spouse to reside with you for the duration or five yrs which ever happens first. a regular passport only allows 80 days in that country..in plain english is your answer,,,

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 1:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 13:10:34 -0400

You should definitely have her get one. If you are a adventures like my self you going to want to see Europe. So don't delay get that passport today.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 10 at 2015 1:48 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 13:48:31 -0400

If the rules are the same as Korea, then no, a civilian passport is fine. What she WILL get is a SOFA visa that allows her to stay past the normal 3 months a tourist visa allows.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 3:09 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 15:09:14 -0400

I just left Grafenwoehr, Germany in April . Like some of the others said. The Army issued SOFA passport is for official travel but in order to travel to throughout Europe, you BOTH will need a civilian passport. Not all borders to other countries are open.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 3:19 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 15:19:25 -0400

Recommend you consult the foreign clearance guide and you servicing personnel unit. Taking legal advice from a message board is not the safest bet.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jun 10 at 2015 3:33 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 15:33:43 -0400

Yes, and ensure that if you have a pre-existing one, that you have enough time remaining to cover the entire 3 years +.......6 months?? They will let you know at the brief. Great question, BTW. Back in the day, all you needed was your mil id card. Always get the latest intel from those who just finished the PCS move. They are the ones who had to deal with the nightmares. Expedited passports still take time. At the Japanese embassy, they got my wife a new one in 4 hours. But for us, expedited can still take a week.

Response by LTC Joseph Gross made Jun 10 at 2015 3:38 PM

LTC Joseph Gross — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 15:38:25 -0400

She should have one and it should be reflected on your orders. However, if you are short on time, have her travel on her tourist passport and get an official upon arrival.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 4:32 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 16:32:16 -0400

SGT Paradise,

As many have stated, SOFA is needed for her (and family members); these are their 'orders' to be in Germany. Tourist passports are needed for all of you when you enjoy the countless sights throughout Europe, outside the borders of Germany.

All this said, do you have a sponsor? I am bothered they are not answering this proactively for you. They should have informed you about this long ago. There are many things that can assist you and make your transition very smooth. Please ask about this, studying for your drivers test (prior to coming over), and countless other things. Please visit http://www.eur.army.mil/newcomers/; this will get you started.

Best of luck SGT Paradise.

SGM Curtis

Newcomers | U.S. Army in Europe (USAREUR)

Information for newcomers to the U.S. Army Europe community.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jun 10 at 2015 4:50 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 16:50:21 -0400

Read every line of your orders and if you still have questions, contact the office that cut the orders. No one on here knows your specific situation. I have done both Germany and Korea and never have I needed any passport. The Koreans would not even stamp mine when I went on leave to the Philippines. One big difference a blue passport can mean is the length of stay in a country. My family visited me in Korea and was limited to 90 days on a blue US passport. Your best bet if your orders do not clarify this question then ask those who cut your orders.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 5:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 17:05:41 -0400

To be command sponsored she has to have a military passport. Having a civilian passport is optional, military passport is mandatory. I've been there three times, about to be 4 by close of the year, and that has always been the policy. I attended my levy brief and was told the same thing.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Jun 10 at 2015 5:11 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 17:11:27 -0400

no the civilian one should suffice but once on the ground (on base she should receive a card to supplement the passport) status of forces agreement card.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 6:01 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 18:01:27 -0400

You are going to need four items to get your spouse command sponsored. You will need the " No Fee Passport" that is no charge, to have your spouse cleared thru EFMP, and DA Forms 4707, and 4036 your S1 should get those to you. Once you get those items go to the Installation Reassignment Processing Branch at your post and submit the items to them. It should take about a week to get the amendment. I just got done going thru the process this week, this will be my second tour to Germany and I had to go thru the same process last time I was stationed in Germany.

And yes she does need a "No Fee Passport" since a tourist passport is only good for 90 days, you will not be able to get her command sponsored without it.

I hope that helps.

Response by SFC Josh Nofziger made Jun 10 at 2015 6:57 PM

SFC Josh Nofziger — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 18:57:40 -0400

Yes, that's why you go to a levy brief. Ensure you listen to what they tell you, and do it, or you'll have issues. That's what levy is for...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 7:20 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 19:20:23 -0400

Yes. She needs the government passport but when you go to the overseas levy briefing your family will end up getting appointments for the passports.

Response by COL Tom Lewis made Jun 10 at 2015 7:24 PM

COL Tom Lewis — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 19:24:57 -0400

Your dependents need Tourist passports to travel abroad which includes back to the US. There is no such thing as a "military" passport. Service members may be entitled to a "No Fee" Tourist passport (most likely,) Official passport (possible but unlikely,) or Diplomatic passport (very doubtful.)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 7:25 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 19:25:14 -0400

SGT Paradise, I am also PCSing back to Germany at the end of this year. I have to get the no-fee passports as well. The best advice anyone can give you is to talk to your reassignments personnel, and if they tell you to get a no-fee passport, then guess what? Get a no-fee passport. Its that easy. If you dont and you run into problems later, you will wish you had.

Response by CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 7:36 PM

CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 19:36:59 -0400

Good afternoon, you have received great advice. Yes, your spouse does need the no-fee (aka Brown) passport. I just did a quick verification at the JBLM In/Out Processing Center. You do not need a no-fee passport as you are covered by your NATO Orders.

If I read the thread correctly, it sounds like you both have the Tourist Passports so you both should be good to go to visit around Europe. Just keep a copy of the NATO orders in your passport and another in your wallet. Be sure your spouse brings along the no-fee passport with her when you both travel. Although Europe is a bit more open, it is important to travel with the NATO orders and your spouse keep her no-fee passport with her. Despite the changes in Europe when it comes to travel, there may be an occasion that you will need the NATO orders. Your NATO orders will be cut with your PCS orders and have the same order numbers and date. Most never had to show the NATO orders but like insurance, it is good to keep on you, especially if you have to make an unexpected practical use of your AT Level 1 training.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 10:53 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 22:53:12 -0400

Yes, The difference is a military passport enables her to stay in the country under your orders. If not than she would have to return to the states and then continue to travel back and fourth under the civilian passport. The only reason she is allowed to stay is command sponsorship and military passport. Otherwise if caught she would be deported back to the states just like any other foreign national in another country.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 1:16 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 01:16:15 -0400

Yes She does. I just made it to Germany in April 2015. She can travel without the no fee official passport, if she have a regular civilian passport, but she will need an Official passport in order for her to stay in Germany for more than 90 days. When you land at Raimstein Air base ( You will land at Raimstein unless you are traveling on your own while on leave at your own expense. Even if that's the case, both of you will still have to report to Raimstein Reception Center on your report date for in processing.) When you land at Raimstein Air Base the German custom officer will stamp both of your passports with the SOFA stamp. If your family members don't have an official passport, that SOFA stamp is only good for 90 days. Once the family member received the Official passport they will have to get a new SOFA stamp on the Official passport. That stamp allows them to stay in country as military resident for the term of your assignment. You can apply for the official passport in country, but it may take more then 90 days to received it. I recommend that you apply for it in the US and have if mail through Army official mail. You can not mail passport Over Sears through regular mail. Family members need a regular civilian passport if they plan to travel outside of Germany for tourism. Service members don't need an Official passport as long they have their ID card and military orders with the NATO translation, but a regular passport makes it easier to travel throughout Europe and that way you can get that country custom stamp when you go through their ports. I don't know where you are going in Germany, but here is the Baumholder, Germany passport office number if you have more questions: Landline 011-49-67836-7215, DSN 485-7215.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 1:37 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 01:37:27 -0400

I left Germany Mar last year and it wasn't a requirement either. She needs a passport for SOFA Card and the civilian one worked for us. I suggest you find a talk to the passport office in the post you are going to. Too many barracks lawyers here...

Response by SSG David McPherson made Jun 11 at 2015 4:45 AM

SSG David McPherson — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 04:45:24 -0400

Yes both spouse and children need the official no fee passport it has the SOFA agreement stamp

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 4:50 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 04:50:23 -0400

Yes you should. When PCS'ing to Korea, I needed to get military passports for my wife and daughter. You should be able to get them from MPD, or at least they should be able to point you in the right direction in what you'll need.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 10:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:31:04 -0400

she just needs a military passport....just bring your orders with her on there and they will get her a passport...if she has a personal one then i don't think she needs a mil one. if you do not have family on your orders then they will not issue her one

Response by LTC Richard Cassem made Aug 9 at 2015 9:47 PM

LTC Richard Cassem — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 21:47:25 -0400

There is no such thing as a military passport. But she might very well require an official passport or a diplomatic passport. Your orders should stipulat the requirement. Or contact your sponsor for more detailed information.