US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

38 U.S.C. § 103

Special provisions relating to marriages

(a)
Whenever, in the consideration of any claim filed by a person as the widow or widower of a veteran for gratuitous death benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, it is established by evidence satisfactory to the Secretary that such person, without knowledge of any legal impediment, entered into a marriage with such veteran which, but for a legal impediment, would have been valid, and thereafter cohabited with the veteran for one year or more immediately before the veteran’s death, or for any period of time if a child was born of the purported marriage or was born to them before such marriage, the purported marriage shall be deemed to be a valid marriage, but only if no claim has been filed by a legal widow or widower of such veteran who is found to be entitled to such benefits. No duplicate payments shall be made by virtue of this subsection.
(b)
Where a surviving spouse has been legally married to a veteran more than once, the date of original marriage will be used in determining whether the statutory requirement as to date of marriage has been met.
(c)
In determining whether or not a person is or was the spouse of a veteran, their marriage shall be proven as valid for the purposes of all laws administered by the Secretary according to the law of the place where the parties resided at the time of the marriage or the law of the place where the parties resided when the right to benefits accrued.
(d)
(1)
The remarriage of the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the furnishing of benefits to such person as the surviving spouse of the veteran if the remarriage is void, or has been annulled by a court with basic authority to render annulment decrees unless the Secretary determines that the annulment was secured through fraud by either party or collusion.
(2)
(A)
The remarriage of the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the furnishing of benefits specified in paragraph (5) to such person as the surviving spouse of the veteran if the remarriage has been terminated by death or divorce unless the Secretary determines that the divorce was secured through fraud or collusion.
(B)
section 1781 of this title The remarriage after age 57 of the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the furnishing of benefits specified in paragraph (5) to such person as the surviving spouse of the veteran. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the remarriage after age 55 of the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the furnishing of benefits under chapter 13 or to such person as the surviving spouse of the veteran.
(3)
If the surviving spouse of a veteran ceases living with another person and holding himself or herself out openly to the public as that person’s spouse, the bar to granting that person benefits as the surviving spouse of the veteran shall not apply in the case of the benefits specified in paragraph (5).
(4)
The first month of eligibility for benefits for a surviving spouse by reason of paragraph (2)(A) or (3) shall be the month after—
(A)
the month of the termination of such remarriage, in the case of a surviving spouse described in paragraph (2)(A); or
(B)
the month of the cessation described in paragraph (3), in the case of a surviving spouse described in that paragraph.
(5)
Paragraphs (2)(A) and (3) apply with respect to benefits under the following provisions of this title:
(A)
Section 1311, relating to dependency and indemnity compensation.
(B)
Section 1781, relating to medical care for survivors and dependents of certain veterans.
(C)
Chapter 35, relating to educational assistance.
(D)
Chapter 37, relating to housing loans.
(E)
Section 1562(a)(2), relating to Medal of Honor special pension.
(e)
The marriage of a child of a veteran shall not bar recognition of such child as the child of the veteran for benefit purposes if the marriage is void, or has been annulled by a court with basic authority to render annulment decrees unless the Secretary determines that the annulment was secured through fraud by either party or collusion.

Pub. L. 85–85772 Stat. 1109Pub. L. 87–674, § 276 Stat. 558Pub. L. 90–77, title I, § 101(b)81 Stat. 178Pub. L. 91–376, § 484 Stat. 789Pub. L. 93–527, § 9(a)88 Stat. 1705Pub. L. 99–576, title VII, § 701(2)100 Stat. 3290Pub. L. 101–508, title VIII, § 8004(a)104 Stat. 1388–343Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(a)(1)105 Stat. 403–405Pub. L. 106–117, title V, § 502(a)113 Stat. 1574Pub. L. 107–135, title II, § 208(e)(1)115 Stat. 2463Pub. L. 107–330, title I, § 101(a)116 Stat. 2821Pub. L. 108–183, title I, § 101(a)117 Stat. 2652Pub. L. 116–315, title II134 Stat. 4970(, , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , (2)(A)(i), (b)(1), (2)(E), , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , title VII, § 708(a)(1), , , 2673; , §§ 2003(b)(2)(B), 2009, , , 4978.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 116–315, § 20092021—Subsec. (d)(2)(B). , inserted “chapter 13 or” after “benefits under”.

Pub. L. 116–315, § 2003(b)(2)(B)Subsec. (d)(5)(E). , added subpar. (E).

Pub. L. 108–183, § 101(a)2003—Subsec. (d)(2)(B). , substituted “The remarriage after age 57 of the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the furnishing of benefits specified in paragraph (5) to such person as the surviving spouse of the veteran. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the remarriage after age 55” for “The remarriage after age 55”.

Pub. L. 108–183, § 708(a)(1)(A)(i)Subsec. (d)(4). , substituted “paragraph (2)(A) or (3)” for “this subsection” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 108–183, § 708(a)(1)(A)(ii)Subsec. (d)(4)(A). , substituted “paragraph (2)(A)” for “paragraph (2)”.

Pub. L. 108–183, § 708(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (d)(5). , substituted “Paragraphs (2)(A)” for “Paragraphs (2)” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 107–3302002—Subsec. (d)(2). designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B).

Pub. L. 107–135Subsec. (d)(5)(B). substituted “1781” for “1713”.

Pub. L. 106–1171999—Subsec. (d). designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added pars. (2) to (5).

Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(a)(1)1991—Subsec. (a). , (b)(1), (2)(E), substituted “administered by the Secretary” for “administered by the Veterans’ Administration” and “Secretary” for “Administrator”.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(a)(1)Subsec. (c). , substituted “administered by the Secretary” for “administered by the Veterans’ Administration”.

Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(a)(2)(A)(i)Subsecs. (d), (e). , substituted “Secretary” for “Veterans’ Administration”.

Pub. L. 101–508, § 8004(a)(1)1990—Subsec. (d). , designated par. (1) as entire subsec. (d) and struck out pars. (2) and (3) which read as follows:

“(2) The remarriage of the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the furnishing of benefits to such person as the surviving spouse of the veteran if the remarriage has been terminated by death or has been dissolved by a court with basic authority to render divorce decrees unless the Veterans’ Administration determines that the divorce was secured through fraud by the surviving spouse or collusion.

“(3) If a surviving spouse ceases living with another person and holding himself or herself out openly to the public as that person’s spouse, the bar to granting that person benefits as the surviving spouse of the veteran shall not apply.”

Pub. L. 101–508, § 8004(a)(2)Subsec. (e). , designated par. (1) as entire subsec. (e) and struck out par. (2) which read as follows: “The marriage of a child of a veteran shall not bar the recognition of such child as the child of the veteran for benefit purposes if the marriage has been terminated by death or has been dissolved by a court, with basic authority to render divorce decrees unless the Veterans’ Administration determines that the divorce was secured through fraud by either party or collusion.”

Pub. L. 99–576, § 701(2)(A)1986—Subsec. (a). , substituted “person as the widow or widower” for “woman as the widow”, “such person” for “she”, “the veteran” for “him”, “the veteran’s” for “his”, and “legal widow or widower” for “legal widow”.

Pub. L. 99–576, § 701(2)(B)Subsec. (b). , substituted “surviving spouse” for “widow”.

Pub. L. 99–576, § 701(2)(C)Subsec. (c). , substituted “person is or was the spouse” for “woman is or was the wife”.

Pub. L. 99–576, § 701(2)(D)Subsec. (d)(1). , substituted “surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the furnishing of benefits to such person as the surviving spouse” for “widow of a veteran shall not bar the furnishing of benefits to her as the widow”.

Pub. L. 99–576, § 701(2)(E)Subsec. (d)(2). , substituted “surviving spouse” for “widow” wherever appearing, and “such person” for “her”.

Pub. L. 99–576, § 701(2)(F)Subsec. (d)(3). , substituted “surviving spouse” for “widow” wherever appearing, “person” for “man”, “himself or herself” for “herself”, “that person’s spouse” for “his wife”, and “that person” for “her”.

Pub. L. 93–5271974—Subsec. (e). designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

Pub. L. 91–3761970—Subsec. (d). designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added pars. (2) and (3).

Pub. L. 90–771967—Subsec. (a). reduced cohabitation period from five years to one year for purposes of deeming a purported marriage valid and provided for cohabitation for any period of time if a child was born of the purported marriage or was born before the marriage.

Pub. L. 87–6741962—Subsecs. (d), (e). added subsecs. (d) and (e).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Pub. L. 116–315, title II, § 2003(b)(3)134 Stat. 4970

section 1562 of this titlesection 1562 of title 38“The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and ] shall apply with respect to payment of pension under , United States Code, for months beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–183, title I, § 101(c)117 Stat. 2653

section 1311 of this title“The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and ] shall take effect on .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–330, title I, § 101(c)116 Stat. 2821

“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1999 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–117, title V, § 502(c)113 Stat. 1574

section 1311 of this title“The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and ] shall take effect on the first day of the first month beginning after the month in which this Act is enacted [November 1999].”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–508, title VIII, § 8004(b)104 Stat. 1388–343

“The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to claims filed after , and shall not operate to reduce or terminate benefits to any individual whose benefits were predicated on section 103(d)(2), 103(d)(3), or 103(e)(2) before the effective date of those amendments.”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1974 Amendment

Pub. L. 93–527section 10 of Pub. L. 93–527section 1521 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

Pub. L. 91–376section 9 of Pub. L. 91–376section 1114 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1967 Amendment

Pub. L. 90–77section 405 of Pub. L. 90–77section 101 of this titleAmendment by effective first day of first calendar month which begins more than ten days after , see , set out as a note under .

Retroactive Benefits Prohibited

Pub. L. 108–183, title I, § 101(d)117 Stat. 2653

section 1311 of this title“No benefit may be paid to any person by reason of the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section and ] for any period before the effective date specified in subsection (c) [set out as an Effective Date of 2003 Amendment note above].”
, , , provided that:

Application for Benefits

Pub. L. 108–183, title I, § 101(e)117 Stat. 2653

“In the case of an individual who but for having remarried would be eligible for benefits under title 38, United States Code, by reason of the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] and whose remarriage was before the date of the enactment of this Act [] and after the individual had attained age 57, the individual shall be eligible for such benefits by reason of such amendment only if the individual submits an application for such benefits to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs not later than the end of the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 107–330, title I, § 101(b)116 Stat. 2821Pub. L. 108–183, title I, § 101(f)117 Stat. 2653

section 1781 of title 38“In the case of an individual who but for having remarried would be eligible for medical care under , United States Code, and whose remarriage was before the date of the enactment of this Act [] and after the individual had attained age 55, the individual shall be eligible for such medical care by reason of the amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] only if an application for such medical care is received by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs before the end of the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 [].”
, , , as amended by , , , provided that:

Limitation on Payments

Pub. L. 106–117, title V, § 502(d)113 Stat. 1574

section 103(d) of title 38“No payment may be made to a person by reason of paragraphs (2) and (3) of , United States Code, as added by subsection (a), for any period before the effective date specified in subsection (c) [set out as an Effective Date of 1999 Amendment note above].”
, , , provided that:

Applicability of Amendments

Pub. L. 102–568, title I, § 103106 Stat. 4322

“(a)

Exception .—

105 Stat. 424Pub. L. 101–508104 Stat. 1388–343The amendments made by section 8004 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 () [, , amending this section] shall not apply to any case in which a legal proceeding to terminate an existing marital relationship was commenced before , by an individual described in subsection (b) if that proceeding directly resulted in the termination of such marriage.
“(b)

Covered Individuals .—

An individual referred to in subsection (a) is an individual who, but for the marital relationship referred to in subsection (a), would be considered to be the surviving spouse of a veteran.”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 102–86, title V, § 502105 Stat. 424

Public Law 101–508“The amendments made by section 8004 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 () [amending this section] shall not apply with respect to any individual who on , was a surviving spouse or child within the meaning of title 38, United States Code, unless after that date that individual (1) marries, or (2) in the case of a surviving spouse, begins to live with another person while holding himself or herself out openly to the public as that person’s spouse.”
, , , provided that:

Reinstatement of Benefits Subsequent to Termination of Relationship or Conduct Restricting Payment of Benefits; Effective Date of Award

Pub. L. 91–376, § 584 Stat. 789

“(a)
If a widow terminates a relationship or conduct which resulted in imposition of a prior restriction on payment of benefits, in the nature of inference or presumption of remarriage, or relating to open and notorious adulterous cohabitation or similar conduct, she shall not be denied any benefits by the Veterans’ Administration, other than insurance, solely because of such prior relationship or conduct.
“(b)
The effective date of an award of benefits resulting from enactment of subsection (a) of this section shall not be earlier than the date of receipt of application therefor, filed after termination of the particular relationship or conduct and after .”
, , , effective , provided that: