SHAPE HS: Registration Information

What you need to know about school registration

The DoDEA Online Registration for Students (DORS) is now operational. Please visit the DORS web page to register new students or update information for an existing student.

DoDEA Online Registration for Students (DORS)

To register to attend a DoDEA School the following age requirements must be met.

A child must be:

• four years old by September 1 to attend pre-kindergarten or Sure Start.
• five years old by September 1 to enroll in kindergarten.
• six years old by September 1 to attend first grade.

Overseas and Domestic School Eligibility

DoDEA eligibility & enrollment policies differ for DoDEA's two types of schools: Domestic Schools and Overseas.

Requirements to Attend a DoDEA School Overseas

Overseas Department of Defense Schools, DoDEA Europe and DoDEA Pacific and Cuba

Eligibility to attend DoDEA Europe or DoDEA Pacific schools is outlined in Section 921-932 title 20 U.S.C. and DoDEA regulation 1342.13, Eligibility Requirements for Education of Elementary and Secondary School-age Dependents in Overseas Areas.

The Department of Defense Dependents Schools (Pacific and Europe) and Cuba was established to provide high quality education for authorized dependents of DoD personnel assigned overseas, and to provide enrollment on a space-available, tuition-paying basis for others identified and prioritized by the Secretary of Defense

Enrollment Categories

Qualified dependents are authorized to enroll in one of four enrollment categories based on the request of the sponsor. Dependents in enrollment category 1 receive first priority, all others are enrolled on a space-available basis in priority of category of enrollment. Non Command Sponsorship Eligibility Brochure Overseas Contractors Space-Available Enrollment.

Revalidation/Re-registration

Revalidation of the student's registration for the next school year starts in the spring.

• If the sponsor's DEROS/PRD has expired by September 1, extension orders (IPCOT, R.A.T., Command Letter) are required.
• If the sponsor's DEROS/PRD is indefinite, proof of continued overseas assignment is required.
• If the sponsor is a locally hired DoD civilian, current year certification of employment from the servicing HRO and a copy of notification of personnel action (DA 3434 and SF 50) is required.

Transfer and Withdrawal

Parents or legal guardians must fill out a Withdrawal/Records Request form at least two weeks prior to the student's last day of attendance. If the student is leaving within twenty days of the semester, PCS orders must be submitted to the school. If the student is withdrawing due to Early Return of Dependents, a letter from the sponsor's command must be submitted.

Documentation of Proof of Eligibility - Europe

Once Eligibility has been established you will need to submit the necessary documentation for proof of Eligibility.

New Students

New students registering for enrollment in DoDEA Europe, DoDEA Pacific, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba schools overseas are required to provide verification of the following:

• Date of Birth
• Dependent Status
• Active Duty Status of Military Sponsor or Employment Status of Civilian Sponsor
• Status of Defense Contractor Sponsor and Central Billing Letter
• Status of non-DoD sponsor (other Federal Agencies)

Returning Students

Returning students in DoDEA Europe, DoDEA Pacific, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba schools overseas must provide verification of the following each school year:

• Active Duty Status of Military Sponsor or Employment Status of Civilian Sponsor
• Status of Defense Contractor Sponsor and Central Billing Letter
• Status of non-DoD sponsor (other Federal Agencies)

Documents that may be used for verification of information:

Date of Birth

• Certified copy of birth certificate
• Child's passport

Dependent Status

• Sponsor is listed as biological parent on child's birth certificate
• Dependent is listed on active duty military sponsor's/DoD civilian's orders
• Locally-hired DoD civilians - Certificate of Employment from HR listing names of dependents
• Sponsor is named on child's military identification card (ID)
• Appropriate military service form documenting that the Service recognizes the child as a dependent of this member
• Approved (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) DEERS registration form
• Dependent is listed on defense contractor's Letter of Identification (LOI) or Letter of Agreement (LOA) and in Central Billing Letter (CBL)
• If the sponsor is a step-parent, and one of the above cannot be provided, the following is required:
  • Child's birth certificate documenting sponsor's spouse is biological parent
  • Custody documents indicating spouse has full custody of child
  • Marriage certificate of sponsor and child's biological parent
• If neither the sponsor nor spouse are the biological parents of the child, court ordered custody or guardianship documents are required (power of attorney or notarized agreements between biological parents and sponsor are NOT accepted). Note: If court order names only the spouse as guardian or custodian of the child, the sponsor will be required to complete and sign an in loco parentis affidavit (available from the school registrar).

Active Duty Status of Military Sponsor

• Current orders Permanent Change of Station Orders (PCS) (normally 3 years duration at most locations)
• Sponsor's active duty identification card (copy of picture side will be retained in the file)
• Letter from sponsor's command certifying active duty status
• Current deployment orders

Employment Status of Civilian Sponsor

• Initial Registration - PCS orders
• Local Hires - Current Notification of Personnel Action (SF 50/or NAFI Equivalent) and
• Letter from Servicing personnel officer verifying full-time employment and verifying dependents

Employment Status and Certification of Non-DoD Civilian Sponsors and Dependents

• Sponsor's employing agency must certify that the sponsor occupies a position that is subject by policy and practice to transfer AND must certify that the agency will reimburse the DoD for the educational services provided to the dependent
• Initial Registration - PCS orders

Employment Status of Defense Contractor Sponsor

• Letter of Identification (LOI) or Letter of Agreement (LOA) NOTE: Official travel of defense contractor authorizing dependent education subject to availability on a tuition-paying basis. The LOI/LOA must identify the organization contract number, length of the contract, and names of dependents.

Verification of Housing

• Housing assignment letter, voucher, or RCI lease agreement (each installation may have specific requirements, please check with registrar)
• Letter from housing office that housing will be available and offered within 90 school days.

Note: This list is not all inclusive and is subject to modification without notice based on regulatory changes. It is always advisable to check with the registrar at the school or district office prior to registration for the most current, as well as local, requirements. Local districts and schools may require additional documents be submitted during the registration process. Most DoDEA schools list the additional required documents on their websites.

Early Withdrawal -Europe, Pacific

Moving to Another Location?

While we hate to see you go, we would like to help make your transition as easy as possible.

1. Please complete the Student Withdrawal / Records Release Form and return to the Student Services Department.
2. Be sure to speak with your counselor so they can coordinate with the new school if necessary (especially with Juniors and Seniors).  Give as much advance notice as possible.

Withdrawals and Transfers

Upon receiving final notification of your departure from the community, please inform us at least two weeks prior to your actual departure. This notification is needed to prepare your child's report card, transcript (if applicable), attendance records, and other documents. No progress marks are given in any quarter unless the child has attended school for 20 days during that quarter. In the final quarter, no recommendation for grade placement can be given unless the child attends school for 20 days in that quarter.

Elementary school withdrawal is different than higher grades regarding requirements and is based on the 20-day rule. With ten days prior notification, parents are welcome to pick up student records from the office on the last day of student attendance, after 2:30 p.m. The sponsor/spouse must sign for records, provide a copy of orders, and present an I.D. to receive the child's school records.

It is DoDEA policy that copies of student records are sealed and given to parents to be hand carried to their next school. Official (original) records will be sealed and mailed upon request by the receiving school. Parents who would like a copy of their child's records for their personal files must personally request an extra set of records to be made when filling out the withdrawal form. We cannot make personal copies without advance notice. It is a requirement to clear all debts (replacement or payment for lost or damaged books, library fines, cafeteria debts, etc.) BEFORE the last day of attendance.

DoDEA Accelerated Withdrawal Policy

Excerpt from policy: The policy therefore requires that students present verification of the date of their sponsor's departure, i.e., Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or other official orders, to school officials in order to receive consideration for full academic credit. Students who withdraw prior to the 20-day limit receive a "withdrawal" grade rather than a final grade. At the elementary school level, administrators may annotate the child's progress report to indicate the student's status.

Speak with a school counselor to request Accelerated withdrawal.