In September 2011, SSA removed the sex field indicator from its Social Security Number
Verification Service (SSNVS) available to employers. In 2013, SSA began providing
the sex field verification indicator as part of an SSN verification only when the
requesting Federal or state agency or private entity submits sufficient justification.
SSA implemented this decision partially because not all agencies obtain gender from
their customers; therefore, they do not include gender with the SSN verification requests
submitted to SSA. Our decision ensures consistency with other Federal and state agencies’
and private entities’ records that do not require their customers to disclose their
sex. It is imperative we retain consistency across the government as we rely on benefit
records and identity documents (e.g., Department of State passports and Motor Vehicle
Administration driver’s licenses).
Agencies that require sex field verification indicator may submit a justification
requesting that we include it as part of the SSN verification process.
Prior to 2013, an agency could receive the sex field verification indicator as a response
data element with an SSN verification without a business need justification. For data
exchange agreements negotiated and signed after the 2013 policy change, an agency
may only receive the sex field verification indicator as a response data element with
an SSN verification if the agency can provide justification that the sex field is
required and necessary for the administration of the agency’s program.