DD Form 93

Scope

Form 93, Record of Emergency Data. Fillable PDF on file from the 2026-04-29 forms archive snapshot. The form is the single source for emergency notification and death benefit designations. It identifies the primary and secondary next of kin, the Person Authorized to Direct Disposition (PADD) of remains, the Death Gratuity designees, and the arrears of pay beneficiary.

Audience

Every Marine maintains a current form. The unit S-1 processes updates and runs the audit cadence. The casualty affairs section relies on the form during notification, mortuary affairs, and benefits processing, so the portal's casualty affairs series and the Death Payments page both resolve to it.

Purpose printed on the form

This form is used by military personnel and Department of Defense civilian and contractor personnel, collectively referred to as civilians, when applicable. For military personnel, it is used to designate beneficiaries for certain benefits in the event of the Service member’s death. It is also a guide for disposition of that member’s pay and allowances if captured, mission or interned. It also shows names and [...]

Quoted from the form's Privacy Act statement.

Who prepares, signs, and files

The Marine completes and updates the form through the unit S-1. MCO P1070.12K, the Individual Records Administration Manual, governs record administration. The portal's casualty affairs pages treat the form as the source for PNOK and SNOK identification during notification per MCO 3040.4 Chapter 4, and for PADD identification during mortuary affairs per Chapter 5 paragraph 4.

When the form triggers and how it drives payments

Per DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 36 paragraph 2.4.1, effective 2008-07-01, the Marine designates Death Gratuity recipients on this form in 10 percent increments. The 100,000 dollar Death Gratuity pays within 72 hours of death notification through this designation. Per paragraph 2.4.4, a bequest in a will does not constitute a legal designation. The form controls, and the Death Gratuity sits outside the estate. The form's SGLI section reconciles against elections made in SOES at milConnect. The arrears of pay beneficiary designation also lives on this form.

Audit cadence

The IGMC casualty affairs checklist asks whether the command ensures all Marines update the form. The functional area guide directs an administrative audit of the DD Form 93 and SGLV 8286 at check-in, before temporary duty over 30 days, before every deployment regardless of length, before PCS departure, and triennially. Portal guidance adds an annual refresh and an update at every life event, since a stale form misidentifies the PNOK and delays payments.

Connection to higher policy

• DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 36 governs the Death Gratuity and sets the 10 percent increment designation rule and the 72 hour payment standard the form executes.
• DoDI 1341.14 governs the SGLI On-Line Enrollment System. The SGLI elections in SOES at milConnect sit in a separate system, and the form's SGLI section reconciles against them.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine and lower policy

• MCO 3040.4, the Casualty Procedures Manual, drives the form's use. Chapter 4 sources PNOK and SNOK identification during notification, and Chapter 5 paragraph 4 sources PADD identification during mortuary affairs.
• MCO P1070.12K, the Individual Records Administration Manual, governs record administration for the form.
• The IGMC functional area 3040 checklist audits command enforcement of form currency, alongside the SGLV 8286.

Status

The external link opens the official form page. Verify the current edition before counseling Marines on designations.