TN 18 (08-23)

RS 00204.015 Developing Evidence of U.S. Citizenship for Title II Benefit Payment Purposes

A. Policy

In general, a claimant does not have to submit documentary evidence of citizenship for a current claim if they have already established U.S. citizenship in connection with a prior adjudicated claim or application for a Social Security number. A person in the U.S. who renounces their U.S. citizenship must establish U.S. lawful presence. Similarly, a person in the U.S. who was born in the U.S. but did not become a citizen at birth (i.e., the child of a diplomat) is an alien and must establish U.S. lawful presence.

B. Procedure

  • Follow instructions in GN 00303.300 to establish U.S. Citizenship. Follow instructions in GN 00303.200 when U.S. citizenship is renounced.

  • Follow instructions in RS 00204.020C.5.d. when verifying an alien’s immigration status, and the online SAVE query response indicates the individual is a U.S. citizen. When U.S. citizenship is revoked the SAVE query response shows the code "HR" on the INS Status line and the Eligibility Statement Message "Institute additional Verification."

  • If the person submits a Certificate of Naturalization, and it appears authentic (following the information in the Administrative Confidential Memorandum), determine U.S. lawful presence verified even if the online SAVE query response does not show the Eligibility Statement “United States Citizen.” See the instructions in RS 00204.020C.5. for interpreting the online SAVE query response.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0300204015
RS 00204.015 - Developing Evidence of U.S. Citizenship for Title II Benefit Payment Purposes - 08/11/2023
Batch run: 08/11/2023
Rev:08/11/2023