Ask every claimant under age 73 to submit a public or religious record of birth established before age 5 (preferred evidence), unless he/she has previously established his/her DB for SSA purposes or unless a tolerance applies. For instructions about proof of age tolerances, see "Evidence of Age - Tolerances" in GN 00302.030.

The file must contain one of the following:

• •

  Public or religious record of birth

• •

  Written statement that neither is available, or

• •

  Copy of the SSA record which shows that the DB was previously established.

See GN 00302.057-GN 00302.070 for information concerning requests for public birth records.

See GN 00302.056-GN 00302.057 for information concerning religious records of age.

If the DB was not previously established, and no public or religious record of birth is available, other evidence must be obtained to establish the DB.

See GN 00302.020 for the order of priority in which this evidence must be pursued.