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Custom PCS Checklist

Questionnaire

Are you moving with dependents (Spouse, Children, Significant Other)?

Are you moving to a different country?

Are you moving with children?

Are you going to do a Do-IT-Yourself (DITY)/ Personally Procured Move?

Are you moving with a vehicle?

Are any of your family members enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)?

Do you have a home you would like to sell prior to your move?

Are you moving with pets?

Do you want to live on base or off-base?

Do you want to buy or rent?

Would you like us to find a Realtor for you?

Would you like us to find you a Lender?

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Custom PCS Checklist

Your PCS Checklist

Have a family discussion to begin planning for your move. You can begin planning a government assisted move on the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) when you receive your orders.
Family, General
Itemize your subscriptions, memberships, and utilities. Identify what needs to be turned off or switch over and when. Schedule those dates into your calendar as a reminder.
Housing, General
Complete your Change of Address at USPS (online). It will cost approximately $1.10.
Housing, General
If renting, ensure you conduct a thorough move-in inspection; you will likely be held liable for whatever you missed when you move again. If you are purchasing a home, it is highly recommended to get a home inspection.
Housing, General
Make sure any visa/passport information is current and valid. If not, submit the required application. A routine application can take 8-12 weeks to process, an expedited (additional fee) can take 5-7 weeks.
Paperwork, Different Country
Keep accountability of important documents. Examples are birth certificates, IDs, passports, original orders, medical/dental records, and anything else you find to be of value. Keep these records on your person and in your physical control at all times.
Paperwork, General
Verify military and dependent IDs will not expire during travel. If so, contact your local Defense Eligibility Enrollment System (DEERS) office.
Paperwork, General
Get certified weight tickets for your vehicle(s).
Paperwork, DITY
Keep all move-related financial receipts and paperwork. Physical copies are recommended, but be sure to also take/scan a photo of the receipt. Ensure the information in the photo is legible.
Paperwork, DITY
Gather copies of educational, medical, and Department of Defense (DD Forms) paperwork.
Paperwork, EFMP
Update and gather copies of your pet’s registration and shot record.
Paperwork, Pet
If flying, check the airline’s pet policies.
Paperwork, Pet
Request copies of any school paperwork from your current duty station.
School, Children
Contact the School Liaison Office about changing schools.
School, Children
If this is an OCONUS move, visit the Department of Defense Education Activity website to locate schools and view parent resources.
School, Children
If necessary, arrange movement/shipping for your privately-owned vehicle.
Transportation, Vehicle
Set a date to travel.
Transportation, General
Make hotel reservations for your upcoming trip. Be aware of any cancellation policy to ensure a refund in case plans change.
Transportation, General
Carefully review all housing paperwork. Home purchase contracts tend to be long, and rental contracts tend to be highly specific. Review what applies to you, and ask whatever questions you may have before signing. Your ARK Team is standing by to answer!
Housing, General
If renting on base, contact the military housing office for information on what properties may be available.
Housing, General
If you meet one of the following criteria you may qualify for housing flexibility: one or more dependents is enrolled in EFMP, a Military Spouse is enrolled in a degree or certification program, an immediate family member you are caring for has a long-term illness, or one or more children are attending school K-12. Verify any command letter requirements with your Personnel Support Office.
Family, General
Explore DOD-approved child care options at Militarychildcare.com.
Family, Children
Contact your duty station’s Exceptional Family Member Program Family Support office for information and assistance with your upcoming PCS.
Family, EFMP
Visit the EFMP&Me website for additional assistance with checklists and referrals involving your loved one.
Family, EFMP
For Military Spouses, use the following website to search for career opportunities at your new duty station.
Family, General
Visit your Military and Family Support Center/Family Advocacy Program to gain information on available family-based seminars and workshops.
Family, General
Utilize the ARK Budget Calculator to learn about your new housing allowance, estimated utility costs, and potential cost of living allowance.
Financial, General
Come up with a basic plan for your move. Once complete, identify what steps will cost you money. Total those costs to provide a basic budget for anticipated moving expenses.
Financial, General
If a Military Spouse has a license or certification that must be transferred, or they must get a new license or certification for the new area, that may be reimbursable. Contact your Personnel Support Center for their branch-specific procedures.
Financial, General
Change/Update your address at any relevant subscriptions, memberships, and banking institutions.
Financial, General
Contact TriCare to transfer management of your benefits to your new duty station.
Health Care, General
Identify, purchase, and pack any country-specific chargers/adapters needed for your next duty station.
Household Goods, General
Coordinate your household goods/personal property shipment with your local transportation office.
Household Goods, General
Clean and organize each room prior to the packers arriving. They will pack what they see as they see it.
Household Goods, General
Pack a One-Week-Long (OWL) Kit. Items should include clothes, uniforms, toiletries, important documents and more.
Household Goods, General
As you pack a room label the boxes in the room and create an inventory list. This will help when trying to confirm all of your belongings when you arrive at your new duty station.
Household Goods, General
Create a One-Week-Long (OWL) Kit for your pet(s). This should include food, toys, a leash/harness, and an updated copy of shot records
Household Goods, Pet
If flying, book tickets after having gained approval from your command. If flying OCONUS for vacation travel request approval early. It typically requires 30 days to process an OCONUS leave request.
Transportation, General
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