OPM Court Ordered Benefits Branch Contact: Phone, Address, and What to Send

Finding the right office at OPM is half the battle. The Court Ordered Benefits Branch (COBB) is the only division that processes court orders dividing federal retirement benefits — and sending your paperwork anywhere else means starting over.

COBB Contact Information

Mailing address: OPM Court Ordered Benefits Branch P.O. Box 17 Washington, DC 20044-0017

Phone: 1-888-767-6738 (ask for the Court Ordered Benefits Branch) Email: [email protected]

All court orders dividing FERS or CSRS annuities, survivor annuity elections, and former spouse applications go to this address. Do not send TSP division orders here — those go to the TSP Court Order Center, C/O Broadridge Processing, P.O. Box 120, Newark, NJ 07101-0120.

What to Include in Your Submission

Every COBB submission needs:

• Court-certified copy of your divorce decree, property settlement, or court order — bearing the clerk's official seal or digital stamp. Uncertified copies and attorney-certified copies are rejected.
• Cover letter with the employee's full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and FERS/CSRS claim number (CSA or CSF number) if the employee is already retired
• Current mailing addresses for both the former spouse and the employee/retiree
• Certification statement that the court order is currently in force and has not been amended, superseded, or set aside

If the employee is already retired and you are applying for your annuity apportionment, also include Standard Form SF 3119 and a non-remarriage certification (if your order conditions benefits on marital status).

How Long OPM Takes to Process a COAP

Processing timelines vary significantly depending on the employee's retirement status and OPM's current backlog:

Before the employee retires: OPM reviews the order, issues a written determination on whether it qualifies as a Court Order Acceptable for Processing (COAP), and files it. This initial review typically takes 30 to 90 days. No payments begin until the employee actually retires.

After the employee retires: Once the employee files their retirement application and you submit your SF 3119, OPM must finalize the retiree's full claim before calculating your apportionment. The combined processing time — from retirement application through first former-spouse payment — typically runs 3 to 6 months. During peak retirement cycles (January and September, when large numbers of federal employees separate), processing can stretch to 12 months or longer.

During interim pay: While OPM is processing the full retirement claim, the retiree receives interim payments at a reduced rate. Former spouse apportionments are not paid during the interim period. Once OPM completes final adjudication, it calculates and issues back payments from the retirement commencement date.

Checking Your Order Status

If OPM has not issued an acknowledgment within 90 days of receiving your court order, call 1-888-767-6738 and ask for COBB. Have the employee's Social Security number and date of birth ready — COBB representatives locate files using the employee's identifiers, not the former spouse's.

For delays exceeding 6 months after retirement finalization, you can request assistance through your U.S. Representative's Constituent Services office.

When OPM Rejects Your Order

OPM issues a formal letter if your order does not meet COAP requirements under 5 CFR Part 838. Common rejection reasons:

• The order is labeled a QDRO or issued on an ERISA form without the required Part 838 language
• The benefit formula is ambiguous (does not specify gross vs. net, or percentage vs. fixed amount)
• The order does not identify whether the retirement system is CSRS or FERS
• The order directs OPM to do something outside its authority (like drafting new order language or adjudicating a property dispute)

A rejected order requires going back to your state divorce court for an amended order that satisfies federal requirements. OPM cannot draft the language for you.

The Former Spouse Federal Benefits Guide includes a pre-submission audit checklist that catches the most common rejection triggers before you mail your package.

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