Effective Dates: 5/13/2025 - Present

Identification Number:
EM-25031
Intended Audience:All RCs/ARCs/ADs/FOs/TSCs/PSCs/OCO/OCO-CSTs/OHO/OARO
Originating Office:Office of Law and Policy
Title:Enumeration: Changes to the Priority List of Acceptable Evidence of Identity Documents
Type:EM - Emergency Messages
Program:Records Maintenance (Earnings & Enumeration)
Link To Reference:
 
Retention Date: 11/12/25

    A. Purpose
      This emergency message (EM) provides guidance on updated policy for accepting secondary evidence of identity documents for enumeration purposes. The policy change ensures that the agency’s evidentiary standards comply with the law and help mitigate fraud.
      B. Background
        Protecting the integrity of the Social Security number (SSN) and ensuring it is assigned only to eligible individuals is a core mission of our agency. Since 1978, Congressional actions have led to progressively stricter identity evidence requirements for SSN issuance. Some of these actions were the results of findings from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) audits. The evidentiary requirements for SSNs are among the agency’s most stringent policy standards impacting the American public.

        All applicants for an SSN card must submit evidence of identity. The law mandates that we establish an applicant’s true identity when they apply for an SSN. Our regulations define the requirements for evidence of identity. In our policy, evidence of identity documents are organized by probative value as primary, secondary, or third-level documents.

        C. Policy
          We are adjusting the probative value of some of the secondary identity documents listed in RM 10210.420.

          The following documents are no longer considered as secondary evidence (they will now be considered as third-level evidence). Technicians must follow the instructions in RM 10210.415B.5 when evaluating the following documents:
            · For children aged 6 to 17 - Religious records (cradle roll, naming certificate, bris certificate, or baptismal record showing the child’s name and their age or date of birth (DOB), or parent(s)’ name(s), or an Amish or Mennonite bishop’s letter)
              NOTE: Religious records are still acceptable as secondary evidence for children aged birth to 5 years old.
            · For all applicants - Life insurance policies for applicants showing their name and age or DOB.

          All other secondary documents that are not listed in section C will continue to be used as secondary evidence. We are currently working to update this information and further clarify criteria for other secondary evidence in the POMS.
          D. Procedure
            Applicants for an SSN card must submit an available identity document with the highest probative value RM 10210.405C.2. If primary evidence of identity is not available, technicians should request and evaluate secondary evidence documents. If secondary evidence documents are not available, technicians should request and evaluate third-level evidence documents following the instructions in RM 10210.415B.5.

            NOTE: The term “available” means the document exists and the applicant can access or obtain it within 10 business days. Before accepting a second or third level document, ask the applicant if another document is available of higher probative value from the list in RM 10210.420.

            If an applicant submits evidence listed in section C, request a first or second level document. Only use documents listed in section C if the applicant states another first or second level document is not available.

            Systems changes to the Social Security Number Application Process (SSNAP) will be forthcoming, to move these documents to third level evidence.

          Direct all program-related and technical questions to your Regional Office (RO) support staff using vHelp or Program Service Center (PSC) Operations Analysis (OA) staff. RO support staff or PSC OA staff may refer questions, concerns or problems to their Central Office contacts.

          References

          RM 10210.405 Evidence of Identity for an SSN Card
          RM 10210.410 How Do you Examine, Evaluate, and Assess Documents Submitted as Evidence of Identity
          RM 10210.415 How to Prioritize Acceptable Identity Documents
          RM 10210.420 Priority List of Acceptable Evidence of Identity Documents
          EM-25031 - Enumeration: Changes to the Priority List of Acceptable Evidence of Identity Documents - 5/13/2025