Claim for Reimbursement of Relocation Expenses Incident to Transfer

A certifying officer for the Department of the Interior (DOI) asked if a single employee may be reimbursed transportation and travel expenses for his aunt, and if he may be reimbursed other relocation expenses as an employee with an immediate family. Regulations define the immediate family as dependent parents (including step- and legally adoptive-parents) of the employee or his spouse who are members of the employee's household at the time he reports for duty at his permanent duty station. Although the employee was reared by his aunt and uncle from the time he was 9 years old and his uncle was appointed as his legal guardian for a time before he attained his majority, he was never legally adopted by them. Therefore, his aunt is not his legally adoptive or dependent parent within the meaning of the regulations, and he may not be reimbursed the expenses claimed for her travel and transportation, and he may not be reimbursed the miscellaneous expenses for an employee with immediate family.