How to Obtain a Social Application for Genealogy
You can order a copy of an individual's application for a Social Security account through a Freedom of Information Act request (FOIA). The Social Security Administration will release information on deceased individuals; however, you can obtain your own records at any time. To speed up the search process, it is important to have the Social Security Number for any individual you are researching.
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Instructions
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Acquire the full name, date of birth and Social Security Number for the individual you are researching. If you do not know the Social Security Number, search through an online version of the Social Security Death Index at any genealogy website to obtain the number. If a person appears on the Social Security Death Index it is proof that they are deceased.
If you cannot locate a Social Security Number, then you must submit proof of death with your request. Proof of death can be an obituary or a death certificate.
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Request a copy of the person's SS-5 record. There are two options; a photocopy of the application taken from microfilm or a numident record. The numident record is a summary of the information contained in the original SS-5 record. It is compiled by the staff at the Social Security Administration.
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Pay the fee and submit your request. As of April 21, 2011, the fees range from $17 to $29, depending on the type of record requested and if the Social Security Number is provided.
Requests can be submitted online through ssa.gov or via mail. Send your mailed request and payment to:
Social Security Administration
OEO FOIA Workgroup
300 N. Green Street
P.O. Box 33022
Baltimore, Maryland 21290-3022
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Tips & Warnings
The Social Security Administration does not have information on people born before 1865.
Death records are not available for anyone who died prior to 1936.
References
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