For the purpose of these access instructions, the word "parent" means:
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The birth mother or father of a minor child;
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A legally adoptive mother or father of a minor child; or
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A court-appointed legal guardian of a minor child.
We will honor requests for parental access to a minor's records, except medical records
(GN 03340.035) provides more information on medical records), only when (1) the requesting parent
is acting on behalf of the minor child, and (2) we have verified the parent's identity
and relationship to the child.
We will deny access to a minor child’s record if it appears that the requesting parent
is not acting on behalf of the child because the request is not in the child’s best
interest. A parent not living with, nor having custody of a child may be an indication
that the parent is not acting on behalf of the child if no evidence exists to the
contrary.
EXAMPLE 1 - Acting on the minor's behalf
A parent requests a child’s earnings record in order to locate the runaway child.
EXAMPLE 2 - Not acting on the minor's behalf
A mother submits an access request seeking the benefit amount that her 11-year-old
daughter receives from her father’s Social Security disability claim. The child’s
Numident record shows the mother as the birth mother. However, the mother is the non-custodial
parent. The mother informs us that she needs the information because it would qualify
her for a reduced rental payment. Since the mother does not have custody and the child
does not reside with her, releasing information to the mother in order to have her
rent reduced is likely not on behalf of the child. Therefore, we cannot honor the
mother’s request.