SSA - POMS - RM 10210.420 - Priority List of Acceptable Evidence of Identity Documents - 08 - 30 - 2017
SSA - POMS - RM 10210.420 - Priority List of Acceptable Evidence of Identity Documents - 08 - 30 - 2017
Social Security
The documents listed in this section are acceptable as evidence of identity only if they:
• meet the stated primary, secondary, and third level evidence requirements (for example- unexpired, issued within the timeframe
stated) listed in RM 10210.405.
• are originals (such as U.S. State issued driver's licenses, State issued IDs and U.S. passports),
• are properly certified by the issuing agency (such as school records or medical records).
Documents with security features (such as passports, driver's licenses, identification cards and employee identification cards and
employee identification cards) cannot be copied and certified by the custodian of record. You must be able to authenticate the
document via the instructions in RM 10210.210.
Do not accept any document that clearly states it is not valid, or not for identification purposes.
EXCEPTION: Permanent U.S. driver’s licenses and State-issued non-driver identification cards with the legend “NOT FOR FEDERAL
IDENTIFICATION” are primary evidence of identity provided the document meets the evidence of identity requirements. Limited and
temporary documents are unacceptable as proof of identity documents, unless approved by your Regional Office (RO) and Central
Office (CO) enumeration staff.
Use the following chart of Identity documents to help determine the identity of an applicant for an SSN
Request one of the following documents: Request a current U.S. lawful alien document and an
unexpired foreign passport.
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U.S. citizen: Birth through age 5 Alien: Birth through age 5
If primary evidence is not available (available means the When a child does not possess a U.S. lawful alien
document exists and the applicant can access or obtain it document, but meets the requirements in
within 10 business days), request one of the following
RM 10211.075 (Evidence for an SSN Card for an Alien
secondary evidence documents:
Lawfully in the U.S. Without Immigration Documents), RM
10211.600 (Requests for an SSN from an Alien without
• U.S. Diplomatic Passport Work Authorization), or
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U.S. citizen: Birth through age 5 Alien: Birth through age 5
3. Handle the following situations on a case-by-case 3. Handle the following situations on a case-by-case
basis and follow the instructions in RM 10210.415B.5. basis and follow the instructions in RM 10210.415B.5.
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U.S. citizen: Birth through age 5 Alien: Birth through age 5
• presents a primary or secondary document not listed • presents a primary or secondary document not listed
in the Proof of Identity drop down in the Enumeration in the Proof of Identity drop down in the Enumeration
System or in RM 10210.420A.1. or RM 10210.420A.2. in System or in RM 10210.420A.1. or RM 10210.420A.2. in
this section, or this section, or
• states that a primary or secondary identity document • states that a primary or secondary identity document
is not available (available means the document exists is not available (current lawful alien document or
and the applicant can access or obtain it within 10 identity document listed in RM 10210.420A.1. or RM
business days). 10210.420A.2. in this section).
Use the following chart of identity documents to help determine the identity of an applicant for an SSN
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U.S. citizen: Children age 6 through 17 Alien: Children age 6 through 17
If a primary document is not available (available means When a child does not possess a U.S. lawful alien
the document exists and the applicant can access or document, but meets the requirements in
obtain it within 10 business days), request one of these
secondary evidence documents: RM 10211.075 (Evidence for an SSN Card for an Alien
Lawfully in the U.S. Without Immigration Documents),
• U.S. Diplomatic Passport RM 10211.600 (Requests for an SSN from an Alien without
Work Authorization), or
• U.S. Official Passport
RM 10211.500 (Evidence for an SSN Card for an
Undocumented Alien)
• U.S. military dependent identification card
for an SSN card for a non-work reason, then accept any
one of the following documents as evidence of identity:
• Certificate of Naturalization
• U.S. Indian Tribal card or identification document • Unexpired valid U.S. State issued non-driver identity
approved by the Regional Office (RO) with card (issued by the same State agency that issues
concurrence from Enumeration Policy in Central Office
driver’s licenses/State-level agency with issuing
(CO) as an acceptable identity document
authority over the State’s identity cards)
• Final adoption decree issued by the court where the • U.S. military dependent identification card
recent adoption occurred, showing the child’s name
and the child’s DOB or the names of the adopting
• Canadian Band card (Certificate of Indian status) issued
parent(s). If the adoption took place more than a year
to Indian members of Canadian tribes
ago, a more recent identity document should be
available (for example, medical record). For
information on availability of documents based on a • Final adoption decree issued by the court where the
child’s age, see RM 10210.405C.5. recent adoption occurred, showing the child’s name
and the child’s DOB or the names of the adopting
• Certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor, or parent(s). For information on availability of documents
hospital) or letter providing extract data from the based on a child’s age see RM 10210.405C.5.
medical record showing, in addition to the applicant’s
name, the applicant’s DOB or age (for certification by • Certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor, or
custodian see GN 00301.030A.3.and for definition of hospital) or letter providing extract data from the
extract, see RM 10210.420D.2 of this section). medical record showing the applicant’s name and the
applicant’s DOB or age (for certification by custodian
NOTE: Do not accept a receipt or a record of see GN 00301.030A.3, and for definition of extract, see
treatment recorded or maintained by the applicant or RM 10210.420D.2 of this section)
the applicant's family. Do not accept immunization
records from applicants age 6 through age 17. NOTE: Do not accept a receipt or a record of
Applicants 6 years through 17 years of age should treatment recorded or maintained by the applicant or
have one of the documents listed in RM 10210.420B. the applicant's family. Do not accept immunization
records from applicants age 6 though age 17.
• Health insurance or U.S. Medicaid card showing, the Applicants 6 years through 17 years of age should
child’s name and: have one of the documents listed in RM 10210.420B. .
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U.S. citizen: Children age 6 through 17 Alien: Children age 6 through 17
3. Handle the following situations on a case-by-case 3. Handle the following situations on a case-by-case
basis and follow the instructions in RM 10210.415B.5. basis and follow the instructions in RM 10210.415B.5.
• presents a primary or secondary document not listed • presents a primary or secondary document not listed
in the charts in RM 10210.420A or RM 10210.420B in in the charts in RM 10210.420B, Item 1 in this section
this section or or RM 10210.420B, item 2 in this section or
• in the Proof of Identity drop down in the Enumeration • in the Proof of Identity drop down in the Enumeration
System, or System, or
• states that a primary or secondary identity document • states that a primary or secondary identity document
is not available (available means the document exists is not available (current lawful alien document or
and the applicant can access or obtain it within 10 identity document listed in RM 10210.420B, item 1 or
business days). RM 10210.420B, item 2 in this section).
Use the following chart of identity documents to help determine the identity of an applicant for an SSN who is age 18 or older
Request one of these documents: Request a current U.S. lawful alien document and an
unexpired foreign passport. Enter the DHS document as
the primary proof of identity document and enter the
foreign passport information (name, date of birth,
passport number, country name, issue date, and
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U.S. Citizen: Adult age 18 or older Alien: Adult age 18 or older
If primary evidence is not available (available means the When an applicant does not possess a U.S. lawful alien
document exists and the applicant can access or obtain it document, but meets the requirements in
within 10 business days), request one of these documents:
RM 10211.075 (Evidence for an SSN Card for an Alien
Lawfully in the U.S. Without Immigration Documents),
• U.S. Diplomatic Passport
RM 10211.600 (Requests for an SSN from an Alien without
Work Authorization), or
• U.S. Official Passport
RM 10211.500 (Evidence for an SSN Card for an
• U.S. military identification card for active duty member, Undocumented Alien) for an SSN for non-work reasons,
retiree, national guard, or dependent
you may accept any one of the following documents as
evidence of identity:
• Certificate of Naturalization
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U.S. Citizen: Adult age 18 or older Alien: Adult age 18 or older
• U.S. government employee identification card (Form • U.S. military identification card for active duty member,
OF-55, U.S. Government Identification, or other retiree, national guard, or dependent
document issued by the employing agency)
• Canadian Band card (Certificate of Indian status) issued
• Non-government employee identity card/badge card to Indian members of Canadian tribes
showing the applicant’s name and either a photograph
or the applicant’s DOB
• Marriage document showing the applicant’s name and
either the applicant’s DOB or age (see RM 10210.410
• Marriage document showing the applicant’s name, and and RM 10210.420)
either the applicant’s DOB or age (see RM 10210.410
and RM 10210.420)
NOTE: A marriage document is acceptable evidence of
identity only when submitted in name change situations
NOTE: A marriage document is acceptable evidence of to support the application for a name change. For more
identity only when submitted in name change situations information on name change documents, see RM
to support the application for a name change. 10212.010.
– age or DOB
– a photograph, or
3. Handle the following situations on a case-by-case 3. Handle the following situations on a case-by-case
basis and follow the instructions in RM 10210.415B.5. basis and follow the instructions in RM 10210.415B.5.
When an applicant: When an applicant:
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U.S. Citizen: Adult age 18 or older Alien: Adult age 18 or older
• presents a primary or secondary document not listed • presents a primary or secondary document not listed
in the Proof of Identity drop down in the Enumeration in the Proof of Identity drop down in the Enumeration
System, or RM 10210.420C.1., or RM 10210.420C2., in System, or in RM 10210.420C.1., or RM 10210.420C.2.
this section, or in this section, or
• states that a primary or secondary identity document • states that a primary or secondary identity document
is not available (available means the document exists is not available (current lawful alien document or
and the applicant can access or obtain it within 10 identity document listed in RM 10210.420C.1., or RM
business days). 10210.420C.2., in this section).
An original record or document is the actual written or typed record or actual created by the custodian of record (i.e., a U.S.
passport, Employee Identification card, or Medical Insurance card).
A properly certified extract document is a document that contains a portion of pertinent identifiable information taken from
a larger original document of record such as a medical or school record that is certified by the custodian of record to be
accurate.
The original of some documents are held by the agency responsible for the maintenance of these records. In order to obtain
these records, an applicant must request a certified copy directly from the agency that issued or holds the original
documents. Only the agency that is the custodian of the records can create a certified copy of the record.
SSA will accept a photocopy of the original record or an extract (typed, handwritten, or computer generated) from the
record as evidence from an applicant only if the record custodian attests to the document's accuracy by
• a signed or stamped statement executed at the time the photocopy or extract is made; or
The certificate of endorsement on the certified document will contain the following:
• Certification language: "I certify that the information contained in this document is accurate." (see NOTE below).
• Printed name: The name of the authorized representative of the custodian of record. The name must be clearly typed or
printed.
• Title or Qualification (authorized individual's title or position (e.g., Doctor, Physician Asst., or Secretary)
NOTE: The certification of a document does not certify that the original document is genuine, only that it is a true and exact
copy of the document contained in the custodian of the record's file for the applicant.
E. Additional Documents That Can Be Used As Evidence For A Proper Applicant
An applicant filing on behalf of someone else may use an acceptable U.S. document or an approved foreign document as
evidence of identity. The drop down in the Enumeration System lists approved foreign documents as "OEIO DOC" (Office of
Earnings and International Operations documents). Interviewers should also check the National Identity Document Database
(NIDD) for recently approved foreign documents.
F. References
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15/2/23, 10:49 SSA - POMS: RM 10210.420 - Priority List of Acceptable Evidence of Identity Documents - 08/30/2017
• RM 10210.210 Reviewing Age, Identity, Citizenship and Lawful Alien Status Evidence for an SSN Card
• RM 10210.410 How Do you Examine, Evaluate, and Assess Documents Submitted as Evidence of Identity
• RM 10210.430 What Documents Are Not Evidence of Identity for an SSN Card
• RM 10210.555 Reviewing U.S. Passports (This section includes information on U.S. Passport Cards)
• RM 10211.025 Evidence of Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Status for an SSN Card
• RM 10211.075 Evidence for an SSN Card for an Alien Lawfully in the U.S. Without Immigration Documents
• RM 10211.135 Evidence of Non-immigrant Status for an Social Security Number (SSN) Card
To Link to this section - Use this URL: RM 10210.420 - Priority List of Acceptable Evidence of Identity Documents - 08/30/2017
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110210420 Batch run: 06/24/2019
Rev:08/30/2017
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