DD Form 577 – Appointment/Termination Record – Authorized Signature

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DD Form 577, titled Appointment/Termination Record – Authorized Signature, is the official Department of Defense form used to formally appoint or terminate individuals authorized to handle public funds, certify payments, or perform related financial duties. The current edition is dated November 1, 2014 (previous editions are obsolete). It is prescribed for use under the DoD Financial Management Regulation (DoD FMR) 7000.14-R, Volume 5 (Disbursing Policy), and is managed through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).

This form is essential for accountability, pecuniary liability tracking, and ensuring only properly designated personnel can approve or process financial transactions involving U.S. government funds.

Purpose of DD Form 577

The primary purpose is to maintain an official record of the appointment and termination of persons assigned to specific financial positions listed on the form, and to clearly identify the associated duties and responsibilities.

It is used to:

  • Appoint disbursing officers and their agents (deputy disbursing officers, disbursing agents, paying agents, cashiers, imprest fund cashiers, change fund custodians, and collection agents).
  • Appoint certifying officers (military or civilian personnel designated to attest to the correctness of statements, facts, accounts, and amounts on payment vouchers).
  • Appoint departmental accountable officials (individuals who provide source data or services that certifying officers rely on).
  • Appoint safekeeping custodians or assistant safekeeping custodians (these positions generally do not carry pecuniary liability).
  • Document the termination (revocation) of any such appointment.

Governing authority includes Executive Order 9397, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3325 and 3528, and DoD FMR Volume 5. The form supports internal controls required for the proper stewardship of public funds.

Who Uses DD Form 577?

DD Form 577 is used across the Department of Defense by military members and DoD civilian employees in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Defense Agencies. Common users include:

  • Commanders and appointing authorities
  • Disbursing officers and their deputies
  • Certifying officers who approve vouchers
  • Finance and accounting office personnel
  • Individuals designated for cash handling, collection, or safekeeping duties

The form creates a clear chain of responsibility. Appointees accept strict liability to the United States for public funds or payment certifications under their control and must be counseled on their pecuniary liability.

Privacy Act Statement

  • Authority: E.O. 9397, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3325 and 3528, DoD FMR 7000.14-R, Vol. 5.
  • Principal Purpose(s): To maintain a record of appointment and termination of appointment of persons to any of the positions listed in Item 6, and to identify the duties associated with this appointment (System of Records Notice T1300).
  • Routine Uses: Information may be disclosed as permitted under the Privacy Act of 1974, including to Federal Reserve Banks to verify authority to issue Treasury checks, and to other federal, state, and local agencies under DoD Blanket Routine Uses.
  • Disclosure: Voluntary; however, failure to provide the information may preclude the appointment.

How to Complete DD Form 577? – Step-by-Step

The form has four main sections. Complete only the sections relevant to the action (appointment or termination). Mark only one position box in Item 6—checking more than one invalidates the appointment.

Section I – Appointee

  1. Name (First, Middle Initial, Last and Rank or Grade)
  2. DoD ID Number (10-digit)
  3. Title
  4. DoD Component/Organization
  5. Address (include ZIP Code, email address, and telephone number with area code and DSN)
  6. Position to which appointed (X only one box): Disbursing Officer (with DSSN), Deputy Disbursing Officer (with DSSN), Certifying Officer, Departmental Accountable Official, Cashier, Paying Agent, Collections Agent, Disbursing Agent, Change Fund Custodian, Imprest Fund Cashier, Safekeeping Custodian, or Assistant Safekeeping Custodian
  7. Responsibilities (describe the specific duties)
  8. Publications the appointee must review and adhere to (e.g., relevant chapters of DoD FMR Volume 5 and component instructions)

Section II – Appointing Authority

  1. Name (First, Middle Initial, Last)
  2. Title
  3. DoD Component/Organization
  4. Date (YYYYMMDD)
  5. Signature (manual or digital). If digital, the date in Item 12 is not required because the digital signature includes the date. Sign only after completing Items 1–11, as the signature locks those fields.

Section III – Appointee Acknowledgement The appointee must acknowledge acceptance of the position and responsibilities, understand their strict liability for public funds or certifications, confirm they have been counseled on pecuniary liability, and certify their official signature.

  1. Printed Name (First, Middle Initial, Last)
  2. Date (YYYYMMDD) – not earlier than the date in Item 12 or 13 16.a. Digital Signature and/or 16.b. Manual Signature

The appointment becomes effective only upon the appointee’s acknowledgement and signature.

Section IV – Appointment Termination Use this section to revoke an existing appointment. If partial authority is to be retained, complete a new DD Form 577 instead.

  1. Date (YYYYMMDD)
  2. Appointee Initials (acknowledging revocation)
  3. Name of Appointing Authority
  4. Title
  5. Appointing Authority Signature (manual or digital)

Key Rules and Best Practices

  • Digital signatures are fully accepted and preferred in many organizations. A pure digital signature embeds the date.
  • The appointee’s acceptance date cannot precede the appointing authority’s signature date.
  • Pecuniary liability applies to most positions (except safekeeping custodians/assistants in certain cases). Appointees must receive written operating instructions.
  • Keep the completed form on file with the disbursing office or appropriate finance activity. Disbursing officers must be able to verify certifying officer appointments.
  • Always use the current November 2014 edition. Older versions are obsolete.
  • Contact DFAS for guidance on use of the form: [email protected].

Where to Download the Official Form?

Download the official, fillable PDF of DD Form 577 directly from the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) Executive Services Directorate Forms Management Program:

Use only the official source to ensure you have the current, controlled version.

  • DoD Financial Management Regulation (DoD FMR) 7000.14-R, Volume 5 – Disbursing Policy (primary governing document)
  • Component-specific instructions (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, etc.) that implement Volume 5 requirements
  • Privacy Act System of Records Notice T1300

For the most current policy, always refer to the latest published version of DoD FMR Volume 5 available on the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DD Form 577 the same as DA Form 577?
No. It is a Department of Defense (DD) form, not an Army-specific (DA) form, although it is widely used by the Army.

Can one form appoint someone to multiple positions?
No. Select only one position box in Item 6. Multiple selections invalidate the appointment. Use separate forms if needed.

What happens if the appointment is terminated?
Complete Section IV. The original appointment is revoked as of the effective date. Issue a new DD Form 577 if any authority is to continue.

Who retains the completed form?
Typically the disbursing office, finance office, or the appointing authority’s records, so it can be referenced when verifying signature authority on vouchers or other documents.

DD Form 577 remains a critical internal control document for safeguarding U.S. government funds. Proper completion and maintenance of these records protect both the government and the appointed individuals. Always follow the instructions printed on the form and the detailed guidance in DoD FMR Volume 5. For official questions about use or policy, contact DFAS using the email address provided on the WHS forms page.