VA · Official form

VA Form 21-686c: Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents

VA Form 21-686c is how veterans add a spouse, child, or other dependent to their VA benefits, or remove one after a divorce, death, or other change. Dependents can raise the monthly payment for veterans with a qualifying rating.

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What is VA Form 21-686c?

VA Form 21-686c, Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents, collects the details VA needs to adjust an award for dependency: marriage information and marital history for both spouses, each child's identifying information and status, and the facts of any event that removes a dependent, such as divorce, death, or a child leaving the household. Veterans with a combined disability rating of at least 30 percent can receive additional compensation for eligible dependents.

It is one of the longer VA forms, 15 pages in the current edition dated August 2025, but most filers only complete the sections that apply to their situation. Adding a student aged 18 to 23 also requires VA Form 21-674. VA offers an online version of the whole process in the dependents tool at va.gov, which is usually the fastest route.

Who files VA Form 21-686c?

Veterans adding a new spouse or child, including adopted children and stepchildren, to their award
Veterans removing a dependent after divorce, annulment, death, or a child aging out
Veterans whose rating just reached 30 percent and who are claiming dependents for the first time
Beneficiaries correcting dependency information VA has on file

How to fill out VA Form 21-686c

Complete the veteran identification section with your name, Social Security number, and VA file number.
For a spouse, complete the marriage section, including the date and place of marriage and both spouses' prior marital history.
For each child, provide the name, date and place of birth, Social Security number, and status such as biological, adopted, or stepchild.
To remove a dependent, complete the section for the event: divorce, death, marriage of a child, or a child leaving school, with dates.
Sign and date the form, then submit it with the online dependents tool at va.gov, upload it, or mail it to the VA Claims Intake Center address in the instructions. Attach VA Form 21-674 for any student aged 18 to 23.

Quick fill VA Form 21-686c on this page

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These are the form's own fields, in the order they appear on the pages. Fill in what you know; anything left blank stays a fillable field in the PDF, so you can finish it in any PDF reader. Nothing you type here is sent to VA.

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11. E. PLACE OF MARRIAGE (City and State, County and State, or City and Country). Enter City or County.

4. Enter Date of Birth - 4 digit Year.

4. Enter Date of Birth - 2 digit Day.

4. Veteran's Date of Birth. Enter 2 digit Month.

3. VA File Number (If known) - Enter nine digit file number.

2. Veteran's Social Security Number - Enter last four numbers.

2. Veteran's Social Security Number - Enter middle two numbers.

2. Veteran's Social Security Number - Enter first three numbers.

1. Veteran's Name- Enter Last Name.

1. Veteran's Name - Enter Middle Initial.

SECTION 1 - VETERAN/CLAIMANT'S IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION. (NOTE: Completion of this section is REQUIRED to process your request; any

10. Enter ZIP or Postal Code - Enter last 4 digits.

10. Enter ZIP or Postal Code - First 5 digits.

10. Enter Country.

10. Enter State or Province.

10. Enter City.

10. Enter Apartment or Unit Number.

10. Complete Mailing Address of Veteran/Claimant (Number and Street or Rural Route, P.O. Box, City, State, ZIP Code and Country) - Enter

11. A. Spouse's Name - Enter Last Name.

11. A. Spouse's Middle Initial - Enter Middle Initial.

SECTION 2 - INFORMATION NEEDED TO ADD SPOUSE. 11. A. Spouse's Current Legal Name (First, Middle Initial, Last). Enter First Name.

5. Claimant's Last Name - Enter Last Name.

5. Claimant's Middle Initial - Enter Middle Initial.

5. Claimant's Name (If other than veteran) (First, Middle Initial, Last) - Enter First Name.

6. Claimant's Social Security Number - Enter last four numbers.

6. Claimant's Social Security Number - Enter middle two numbers.

6. Claimant's Social Security Number - Enter first three numbers.

7. Veteran's Service Number (If applicable) - Enter 9 digits.

11. B. Spouse's Date of Birth - 4 digit Year.

11. B. Spouse's Date of Birth - 2 digit Day.

11. B. Spouse's Date of Birth. Enter 2 digit Month.

11. C. Spouse's Social Security Number - Enter last four numbers.

11. C. Spouse's Social Security Number - Enter middle two numbers.

11. C. Spouse's Social Security Number (SSN) (If your spouse does not have a SSN, explain why in Section 9, Item 25, Remarks). Enter first

11. D. Enter Date of Marriage - 4 digit Year.

11. D. Enter Date of Marriage - 2 digit Day.

11. D. Date of Marriage. Enter 2 digit Month.

11. F. How were you married (Check one). Check box. Religious Ceremony (i.e. Minister, Priest, Rabbi, etc.) or Civil Ceremony (i.e. Justice

12. C. Spouse's Service Number (If applicable) - Enter 9 digits.

13. C. CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS OF SPOUSE (Number and street or rural route, P.O. Box, City, State, ZIP Code and Country). Enter Number and

13. C. Enter ZIP or Postal Code - Enter last 4 digits.

13. C. Enter ZIP or Postal Code - First 5 digits.

13. C. Enter Country.

13. C. Enter State or Province.

13. C. Enter City.

13. C. Enter Apartment or Unit Number.

8. Telephone Number - Last four numbers.

8. Telephone Number - Second three numbers.

8. Telephone Number (Include Area Code) First three numbers.

9. E-Mail Address (Optional).

11. E. Enter Country.

11. E. Enter State or Province.

13. B. Reason for Separation (For example, marital problems, job requirements, health, etc.).

12. B. Spouse's VA File Number (If applicable) - Enter 9 digits.

9. Check box. I agree to receive electronic correspondence from VA in regards to my claim.

6. Enter International Phone Number (If applicable).

11. F. How were you married (Check one). Check box. Civil Ceremony (i.e. Justice of the Peace).

11. F. OTHER (Explain)

11. F. TRIBAL.

13. A. DID PARENT OR SPOUSE DIE WHILE SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY OR WHILE ON DUTY OTHER THAN ACTIVE DUTY AS A MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES? YES.

13. A. DO YOU LIVE TOGETHER?

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15. CURRENT SPOUSE'S PREVIOUS MARITAL INFORMATION (If no prior marriages, this section may be left blank) 15. A. (1) To Whom Married

15. A. (1) To Whom Married - Enter Middle Initial.

15. A. (1) To Whom Married - Enter Last Name.

15. A. (2) Date of Marriage - Enter 4 digit Year.

15. A. (2) Date of Marriage - Enter 2 digit Day.

15. A. (2) Date and Place of Marriage. Enter 2 digit Month.

15. A. (2) Enter Country.

15. A. (2) Enter State or Province.

15. A. (2) Place of Marriage. Enter City or County.

15. A. (4) Enter State or Province.

15. A. (4) Place Marriage Terminated. Enter City or County.

15. A. (4) Date Marriage Terminated. Enter 4 digit Year.

15. A. (4) Date Marriage Terminated. Enter 2 digit Day.

15. A. (4) Date and Place Marriage Terminated. Enter 2 digit Month.

15. A. (4) Enter Country.

15. B. (1) To Whom Married (First, Middle Initial, Last Name)- Enter First Name.

15. B. (1) To Whom Married - Enter Middle Initial.

15. B. (1) To Whom Married - Enter Last Name.

15. B. (2) Date of Marriage - Enter 4 digit Year.

15. B. (2) Date of Marriage - Enter 2 digit Day.

15. B. (2) Date and Place of Marriage. Enter 2 digit Month.

15. B. (2) Enter Country.

15. B. (2) Enter State or Province.

15. B. (2) Place of Marriage. Enter City or County.

15. B. (4) Enter State or Province.

15. B. (4) Place Marriage Terminated. Enter City or County.

15. B. (4) Date Marriage Terminated. Enter 4 digit Year.

15. B. (4) Date Marriage Terminated. Enter 2 digit Day.

15. B. (4) Date and Place Marriage Terminated. Enter 2 digit Month.

15. B. (4) Enter Country.

15. C. (1) To Whom Married (First, Middle Initial, Last Name)- Enter First Name.

15. C. (1) To Whom Married - Enter Middle Initial.

15. C. (1) To Whom Married - Enter Last Name.

15. C. (2) Date of Marriage - Enter 4 digit Year.

15. C. (2) Date of Marriage - Enter 2 digit Day.

15. C. (2) Date and Place of Marriage. Enter 2 digit Month.

15. C. (2) Enter Country.

15. C. (2) Enter State or Province.

15. C. (2) Place of Marriage. Enter City or County.

15. C. (4) Enter State or Province.

15. C. (4) Place Marriage Terminated. Enter City or County.

15. C. (4) Date Marriage Terminated. Enter 4 digit Year.

15. C. (4) Date Marriage Terminated. Enter 2 digit Day.

15. C. (4) Date and Place Marriage Terminated. Enter 2 digit Month.

15. C. (4) Enter Country.

15. D. (1) To Whom Married (First, Middle Initial, Last Name)- Enter First Name.

15. D. (1) To Whom Married - Enter Middle Initial.

15. D. (1) To Whom Married - Enter Last Name.

15. D. (2) Date of Marriage - Enter 4 digit Year.

15. D. (2) Date of Marriage - Enter 2 digit Day.

15. D. (2) Date and Place of Marriage. Enter 2 digit Month.

15. D. (2) Enter Country.

15. D. (2) Enter State or Province.

15. D. (2) Place of Marriage. Enter City or County.

15. D. (4) Enter State or Province.

15. D. (4) Place Marriage Terminated. Enter City or County.

15. D. (4) Date Marriage Terminated. Enter 4 digit Year.

15. D. (4) Date Marriage Terminated. Enter 2 digit Day.

15. D. (4) Date and Place Marriage Terminated. Enter 2 digit Month.

15. D. (4) Enter Country.

Veteran's Social Security Number - Enter last four numbers.

Veteran's Social Security Number - Enter middle two numbers.

Veteran's Social Security Number - Enter first three numbers.

15. A. OTHER (Explain)

15. B. OTHER (Explain)

15. C. OTHER (Explain)

15. D. OTHER (Explain)

15. A. (3). REASON FOR TERMINATION. DEATH

15. B. (3). REASON FOR TERMINATION. DEATH

15. C. (3). REASON FOR TERMINATION. DEATH

15. D. (3). REASON FOR TERMINATION. DEATH

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Veteran's Social Security Number - Enter last four numbers.

Veteran's Social Security Number - Enter middle two numbers.

Veteran's Social Security Number - Enter first three numbers.

20. A. Name of former spouse - Enter Last Name.

20. A. Name of former spouse - Middle Initial - Enter Middle Initial.

SECTION 4 - VETERAN REPORTING DIVORCE FROM FORMER SPOUSE. (If you have stepchild(ren), also complete Section 5). NOTE: If marriage ended as

20. C. Enter Date of Divorce - 4 digit Year.

20. C. Enter Date of Divorce - 2 digit Day.

20. C. Date of Divorce. Enter 2 digit Month.

20. B. Enter Country.

20. B. Enter State or Province.

20. B. Place of Divorce (Provide city and state, county and state, or city and country). Enter City or County.

21. A. (2) NAME OF STEPCHILD - Enter Last Name.

21. A. (2) NAME OF STEPCHILD - Middle Initial - Enter Middle Initial.

21. A. (2) NAME(S) OF STEPCHILD(REN) (First, Middle Initial, Last) - Enter First Name.

21. C. NAME OF STEPCHILD YOU ARE SUPPORTING - Enter Last Name.

21. C. NAME OF STEPCHILD YOU ARE SUPPORTING - Middle Initial - Enter Middle Initial.

21. C. NAME OF STEPCHILD YOU ARE SUPPORTING - Enter First Name.

21. D. NAME OF PERSON WITH WHOM STEPCHILD RESIDES - Enter Last Name.

21. D. NAME OF PERSON WITH WHOM STEPCHILD RESIDES - Middle Initial - Enter Middle Initial.

21. D. IF STEPCHILD DOES NOT LIVE WITH YOU, PROVIDE THE NAME OF PERSON WITH WHOM STEPCHILD RESIDES - Enter First Name.

21. E. Enter ZIP or Postal Code - Enter last 4 digits.

21. E. Enter ZIP or Postal Code - First 5 digits.

21. E. Enter Country.

21. E. Enter State or Province.

21. E. Enter City.

21. E. Enter Apartment or Unit Number.

21. E. If stepchild does not live with you, provide a complete address - Enter Number and Street.

21. F. Date stepchild left veterans household - 4 digit Year.

21. F. Date stepchild left veterans household - 2 digit Day.

21. F. Date stepchild left veterans household. (MM-DD-YYYY) Enter 2 digit Month.

21. A. (2) NAME(S) OF STEPCHILD(REN) (First, Middle Initial, Last) - Enter First Name.

21. A. (2) NAME OF STEPCHILD - Middle Initial - Enter Middle Initial.

21. A. (2) NAME OF STEPCHILD - Enter Last Name.

21. H. NAME OF STEPCHILD YOU ARE SUPPORTING - Enter Last Name.

21. H. NAME OF STEPCHILD YOU ARE SUPPORTING - Middle Initial - Enter Middle Initial.

21. H. NAME OF STEPCHILD YOU ARE SUPPORTING - Enter First Name.

21. I. NAME OF PERSON WITH WHOM STEPCHILD RESIDES - Enter Last Name.

21. I. NAME OF PERSON WITH WHOM STEPCHILD RESIDES - Middle Initial - Enter Middle Initial.

21. I. IF STEPCHILD DOES NOT LIVE WITH YOU, PROVIDE THE NAME OF PERSON WITH WHOM STEPCHILD RESIDES - Enter First Name.

21. J. If stepchild does not live with you, provide a complete address - Enter Number and Street.

21. J. Enter Apartment or Unit Number.

21. J. Enter City.

21. J. Enter State or Province.

21. J. Enter Country.

21. J. Enter ZIP or Postal Code - First 5 digits.

21. J. Enter ZIP or Postal Code - Enter last 4 digits.

21. K. Date stepchild left veterans household. (MM-DD-YYYY) Enter 2 digit Month.

21. K. Date stepchild left veterans household - 2 digit Day.

21. K. Date stepchild left veterans household - 4 digit Year.

21. A. (1) DID YOU HAVE A STEPCHILD(REN) THAT WAS THE BIOLOGICAL OR ADOPTED CHILD(REN) OF THE FORMER SPOUSE LISTED IN ITEM 20A? Yes (If

21. B. ARE YOU STILL SUPPORTING YOUR STEPCHILD(REN) LISTED IN ITEM 21. A? YES. (If "Yes," complete Items 21C through 21L)

21. G. FINANCIAL SUPPORT PROVIDED. More than half

21. L. FINANCIAL SUPPORT PROVIDED. More than half

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26. B. Date Signed - Enter 4 digit Year.

26. B. Date Signed - Enter 2 digit Day.

26. B. Date Signed (MM/DD/YYYY). Enter 2 digit Month.

25. Remarks (If any)

Veteran's Social Security Number - Enter last four numbers.

Veteran's Social Security Number - Enter middle two numbers.

Veteran's Social Security Number - Enter first three numbers.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need to fill out all 15 pages?

No. The form covers every dependency situation VA handles, so most filers complete only the sections that apply, such as the spouse section for a new marriage or the removal section after a divorce. The rest can be left blank.

Who qualifies as a dependent?

A spouse, unmarried children under 18, children 18 to 23 attending an approved school (with VA Form 21-674), children of any age who became permanently incapable of self-support before 18, and financially dependent parents (documented on VA Form 21P-509).

Should I report a divorce even though it lowers my payment?

Yes, and promptly. Benefits paid for a former spouse after a divorce become an overpayment that VA will recover, often by withholding future payments. Reporting right away keeps the debt small or avoids it entirely.

VA Form 21-686c: Application Request to Add and/or Remove Dependents

What is VA Form 21-686c?

Who files VA Form 21-686c?

How to fill out VA Form 21-686c

Quick fill VA Form 21-686c on this page

Frequently asked questions

Related forms

VA Form 21-674: Request for Approval of School Attendance

VA Form 21P-509: Statement of Dependency of Parent(s)

VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation