How to Get Data from Social Security Applications by Clifford Sayre 18 Feb 1990 ------------------------------------------------ The application for a Social Security Number has a great deal of family data on it (see below). The disadvantage of the information is that it is self-reported and can thus contain errors because of a lack of knowledge on the part of the applicant or fabrications (such as an incorrect birthdate) that may be used to coverup adverse information. The present process does require some documentation, but it is obvious from newspaper accounts of undocumented aliens that the verification process can be circumvented. Nevertheless, the application may provide some information in the absence of any, or provide corroboration of other data. In addition, some of the earlier forms of the application had information about current or previous employers that may not be easily obtained. The Application for a Social Security Account Number has the following information (from a 1941 version): 1. Applicant's full name 2. Name used at work if different 3. Worker's address 4. Have you ever had a Social Security card before ? 5. Age 6. Birthdate 7. Place of birth 8. Sex 9. Race 10. Marital status 11./12. Name and address of present employer 13. Father's full name 14. Mother's full name before marriage 15. Name and date last previous full time employment 16. How were you paid ? (daily, salary, commission) 17. Date 18. Signature of applicant I also have two 1936-vintage applications which do not include items 15 and 16 about previous employment. The assigned SS Number is in the upper right. There are apparently two routes to follow in trying to obtain a copy of the SSN application: a regular inquiry or a freedom of information request. I was successful in obtaining two SSN applications by the "regular" inquiry route when I knew the person's SSN (see sample page 3). It took from four to eight weeks for a response. An attempt to get an application for my grandfather, without knowing his SSN, was unsuccessful. In fact, no response was received. I then submitted a "freedom of information" request (page 4) with a fee of $ 16.50 (and death certificate) and obtained the application in about four weeks. One way to obtain the number may be from the death certificate. The number is generally about half-way down the certificate, at or near the left side. See item 7 or 16 in the samples of death certificates below. Below is shown a sample letter following the "regular" route. A death certificate was enclosed in proof of death of the individual and was returned. Obviously all of the information may not be known to the requester. The more that is known, the less likely that an error will be made. After that is a sample letter requesting the information using the "freedom of information" format. Note the different address. The FOI request is supposed to be accompanied by a fee of $16.50 if the SSN is not known or $8.50, if the SSN is known. In view of my success, I would certainly try the free "regular" method first, if the number is know. Sample Letter for "No Cost" Request. Likely to work only if SSN is known: Social Security Administration Metro West 7E6 Tower Baltimore, MD 21201 Dear Sir or Madam: I am requesting a copy of the Social Security application of my father, ________________ . I am enclosing a death certificate for my father to indicate that he is deceased. I wish to have a complete copy of the application that shows the statement of the parents of the applicant. I am doing family research and need some documentation as he does not have a birth certificate. Information for my person: 1) SSN: if known 2) Name: 3) Name on Soc Sec card: 4) Name at birth: 5) Date of birth: 6) Place of birth: 7) Sex: 8) Name of mother: 9) Name of father: 10) Date and place of death: I will appreciate your assistance in this matter. Sincerely, I read someplace the fee was $16.50, if SSN unknown, $8.25 if known. The following example is for unknown SSN. Social Security Administration Attn: Freedom of Information Officer Mr. Timothy D. Robertson 4-H-8 Annex Bldg 6401 Security Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21325 Dear Sir: I am requesting a microprint copy of the Social Security application, of my grandfather __________________ . My grandfather's birthdate is __________ and he died _________ . I wish to have a complete copy of the application that shows the statement of the parents of the applicant. I am doing family research and need some documentation as he does not have a birth certificate. Information for my person: 1) SSN: number not known, not certain whether he had a SSN 2) Name: 3) Name on Soc Sec card: not known 4) Name at birth: 5) Date of birth: 6) Place of birth: 7) Sex: 8) Name of mother: not known, believed to be 9) Name of father: not known, believed to be 10) Address at time of filing, if he filed: probably 11) Date and place of death: Copy of his death certificate is enclosed. I am enclosing a check for $ 16.50 which I understand is the fee for this search. I will appreciate your assistance in this matter. Sincerely, * Origin: NGS/CIG BBS - Arlington, VA (703) 528-2612 *DHST/V.32* --------------------------------------------------------------- Social Security Information by Barbara Bennett 25 Nov 1987 I have worked for the Social Security Administration for the last 15 years. I worked in various local offices as a claims representative for 9 years, and have spent the last 6 years as a computer systems analyst at headquarters, 4 1/2 years of that in the Enumeration Systems Branch. I have put together several messages which will address the questions you have about getting information from the Social Security Administration for genealogical purposes. Sysops may wish to combine the messages into a file for people to download. Although I am employed by SSA, I am sending these messages as a private individual, not as a representative of the Social Security Administration. I hope they clear up a lot of the confusion about what is and isn't available and how to go about getting what is available. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION Disclosure of information by SSA is governed mainly by the Social Security Act itself, the Freedom of Information Act of 1974, the Privacy Act of 1974, and the Tax Reform Act of 1976. In general, information about a LIVING person MAY NOT be released to a third party unless the individual has signed a written authorization for release of that information. The fact of an individual's death, date of death, and place of death or burial may be disclosed to anyone. Any other information, other than tax return information, in a DECEASED individual's record MAY BE DISCLOSED as long as any information in the record pertaining to other living individuals is deleted from the record prior to disclosure. The Tax Reform Act of 1976 prohibits disclosure of tax return information without the consent of the individual to whom the record pertains. This prohibition continues even after the death of an individual. Requests for tax return information for a deceased individual may be released to the legal representative of the estate; surviving relative (spouse, parent, child); or heir at law, next of kin, or beneficiary of the deceased. Proof of one of the listed relationships must be provided with the request for information. REQUEST FOR EXTRACTS OF PRIOR SSN APPLICATIONS SSA originally maintained paper files of all applications for original SSN's and applications requesting a change in the record. In the 1970s, these files were converted to an electronic database. The application forms were microfilmed for retention and the paper forms destroyed. Current applications are microfilmed; the paper forms are retained in the Federal Records Center for 5 years and then destroyed. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � This file appears on The Source of Magic BBS, Ridgefield CT � � 203-431-4687, specializing in genealogy, radio, and writing. � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸