Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents

Use the same information as your existing VA records. The file number appears on any compensation or pension letter from VA.

(legal name; include VA File Number from any prior VA letter)

Common mistakes

• ×Omitting the VA File Number when you have one - VA may open a new file instead of attaching to your existing award.

Choose all that apply: (A) Add spouse, (B) Add child, (C) Add dependent parent, (D) Remove dependent who no longer qualifies, (E) Report termination of dependency (divorce, death, child turns 18/23). You can do multiple actions on one form.

e.g., Add spouse (married 04/15/2026) + Add two children (born 2018 and 2021)

Common mistakes

• ×Forgetting to remove a former spouse after divorce - VA will continue paying the dependent rate and may later seek overpayment recovery.
• ×Not adding a child born during service or shortly after - every qualified dependent adds to your monthly payment if you are rated 30% or above.
• ×Adding a parent without reporting their income - VA requires income/net worth verification for parent dependency per 3.57.

Authority

• 38 CFR 3.50 - Defines spouse for VA compensation/pension purposes; covers ceremonial, common-law, and same-sex marriages.
• 38 CFR 3.52 - Defines dependent children including biological, adopted, stepchildren, and helpless adult children.

VA requires the exact date and location of your marriage (city, state, country), the full legal name of your spouse, and their SSN and DOB. You must also disclose prior marriages for both you and your spouse and how each ended (divorce, death, annulment). VA matches this to Social Security records.

e.g., Jane Marie Smith, SSN: 123-45-6789, DOB: 05/10/1985; married 04/15/2026 in Phoenix, AZ; no prior marriages.

Common mistakes

• ×Incomplete marriage location - city AND state (or country) required.
• ×Not disclosing prior marriages - VA will find them through SSA records and may flag intentional omission as fraud.
• ×Using a nickname instead of your spouse's full legal name - must match their SSN records exactly.

Authority

• 38 CFR 3.50 - Defines spouse for VA compensation/pension purposes; covers ceremonial, common-law, and same-sex marriages.

List every child under 18, and children 18-23 who are enrolled full-time in school. Also include permanently helpless adult children (any age) if their incapacity began before age 18. For each: full legal name, SSN, DOB, and relationship type.

e.g., Michael James Smith, SSN: 234-56-7890, DOB: 03/22/2018, biological child

Common mistakes

• ×Not adding stepchildren - stepchildren qualify as dependents under 3.52 if the veteran's marriage to their parent is valid.
• ×Forgetting children who turned 18 and enrolled in school - they stay on the award through age 23 if you file 21-674 for school approval.
• ×Not reporting a child who turns 18 and is NOT in school - VA will eventually find it and collect overpayment.

Authority

• 38 CFR 3.52 - Defines dependent children including biological, adopted, stepchildren, and helpless adult children.
• 38 CFR 3.57 - School-enrollment requirements (18-23) and permanently helpless child determinations for dependency.
• 38 CFR 3.667 - Continued benefits for dependent children in school.

Related ClaimRecon tools

• form-guide-21-674 - File VA Form 21-674 separately for each child 18-23 who is enrolled in school.
• form-guide-21-674b - File VA Form 21-674b for helpless adult children whose incapacity started before age 18.

For each dependent being removed: their name, SSN, and specific reason (divorce effective date, death date and certificate, child turned 18 and not in school, child aged out of school at 23, parent no longer qualifies). Include the exact date the dependency ended.

e.g., Former spouse Sarah Johnson - divorce finalized 02/28/2026. Child Timothy Smith - turned 18 on 06/15/2026, not enrolled in school.

Common mistakes

• ×Reporting the divorce filing date instead of the date the divorce was finalized - the dependency ends at the legal effective date of the divorce decree.
• ×Not reporting within 30 days of the event - overpayments accrue and VA may demand repayment with interest.
• ×Removing a child who is still in school at 18 - if they are enrolled full time, they remain a dependent; file 21-674 instead.

Sign and date. You are certifying under penalty of perjury that all information is accurate. Intentional false statements to increase VA payments are federal fraud.

(signature/date)

Common mistakes

• ×Forgetting to sign - VA returns the form.
• ×Signing before reviewing all entries - a common clerical error is listing the wrong SSN for a child, which VA flags immediately.