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Marines


SOFA

SOFA Certification Letters

The ILAW Section provides SOFA Certification Letters and Cancellation Letters for Marine Corps service members, members of the civilian component (i.e. contractors), and their dependents (including children over the age of 21 and parents).  Click the appropriate link below to request a SOFA Certification or Cancellation Letter.

    Map to Kadena Immigration

SOFA STATUS INFORMATION

        SOFA status is not something that is granted or denied.  It is based on belonging to one of the following categories:

(a)  active duty service members in Japan, regardless of purpose or length of stay

(b)  U.S. civilians who are in the employ of, serving with, or accompanying the military in Japan

(c)  “dependents” of categories (a) and (b):

* spouse (same-sex or opposite-sex spouse)

*  children, step-children, and adopted children under 21

*  children, step-children, and adopted children over 21 (i.e., no maximum age) if dependent on the sponsor for over half their support

*  parents and parent-in-law if dependent on the sponsor for over half their support and not ordinarily resident in Japan

        Persons NOT qualifying for SOFA status:

o   retirees unless they fall into either category (a), (b), or (c) above

o   legal wards and foster children even if court-appointed

o   parents or parents-in-law if ordinarily resident in Japan

o   grandparents, regardless of support

o   grandchildren, regardless of support

o   family members of Art. XIV contractors

o   non-DoD federal employees

o   members of foreign armed forces

        “dependent” for purposes of the SOFA is different than “dependent” for purposes of DoD regulations:

o   being a SOFA “dependent” does not require that the person be “command sponsored”

o   being a SOFA “dependent” does not require that the person have an “area clearance”

o   being a SOFA “dependent” does not require DEERS eligibility

        SOFA status gives an individual:

o   visa exemption

o   criminal jurisdiction procedures IAW Article XVII of the SOFA

o   eligibility for a USFJ driver’s license (Commander may deny or place additional criteria on the application)

o   eligibility for a USFJ vehicle registration (Commander may deny or place additional criteria on the application)

        SOFA status, by itself, does not entitle an individual to:

o   base access or use of base facilities

o   exchange, commissary, or other similar benefits

o   TRICARE enrollment

o   DoD ID card

o   military family housing

o   OHA

o   COLA

o   funded travel

         REFERENCES:

o   Status of Forces Agreement

o   USFJ Policy Letter 4-3

o   USFJ Instruction 31-203

o   USFJ Instruction 31-205

ILAW DSN: 315-645-7461/2  
ILAW CELL:  098-970-7461/2 
ILAW E-MAIL:  mcbsjasofa@usmc.mil 
ILAW LOCATION:  Camp Foster
  Building One 
  Room Five
Marine Corps Installations Pacific