To search the Social Security Administration’s records for the information you want, Social Security needs certain identifying information. Social Security records are filed by Social Security Numbers (SSNs) rather than by names. If you can provide the person's SSN, Social Security will search their records for any information they might have. Without an SSN, Social Security will need the person's full name, date and place of birth, and parents' full names to locate the record. If you can provide the necessary identifying information, Social Security will search for the number.
You may send your request to:
Social Security Administration
OEO FOIA Workgroup
300 N. Green Street
P.O. Box 33022
Baltimore, Maryland 21290-3022
You will be charged the cost of searching the Social Security Administration’s records even if they are unable to locate any information on the person you are asking about. The fee for searching Social Security records is $27 when the SSN is known and $29 when the number is unknown or is incorrect. The check or money order should be made payable to the Social Security Administration. Social Security will also accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's Club or Discover. Please include the appropriate credit card number, along with the expiration date of the credit card with your written request.
A deceased person does not have any privacy rights. Therefore, if he or she applied for an SSN, Social Security can generally provide a copy of the Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5). This document contains the person's name, date and place of birth, and parents' names that were given when he or she applied for the number. The Social Security Administration did not begin keeping records until 1936; therefore, Social Security has no records about people who died before then. Social Security cannot search for records of people born before 1865 unless you provide the SSN.
There is a form available to request copies of applications for a Social Security Number (Form SS-5) for people who are deceased. Form Social Security Administration-711 (Adobe reader required to view) may be used for this purpose; however, you do not need to use the form. Address your request to:
Social Security Administration
OEO FOIA Workgroup
300 N. Green Street
P.O. Box 33022
Baltimore, Maryland 21290-3022
