If a minor makes an access request, provide the requested records after verifying
the minor’s identity and determining the minor is capable of making the request and
is able to understand the information. The reviewing SSA employee should make the
decision to accept a minor’s access request based on his or her own judgment that
the child is capable of understanding the information that they are requesting.
Use age 12 as a baseline for determining when a child is old enough to access their
own records. Consider these types of disclosures on a case-by-case basis. A child
under 12 years old may not be mature enough to understand the information in their
records, while a child over 12 may be able to understand the information. For questions
concerning a minor’s right to access their own records, please contact the Office of Privacy and Disclosure.