TN 58 (06-18)

A. Introduction to evaluating evidence from Tonga

Vital statistics records from Tonga are not reliable. Civil records, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates have a wet seal and a signature by an authorized official. Some may have watermarks and serial numbers. However, having these few security features does not prevent counterfeiting attempts. It is more likely, however, to encounter legitimate documents with fraudulent information due to Tonga’s close-knit island culture and communities.

Passports books are least vulnerable to fraud because of security features and a machine-readable zone. However, given the country’s history of passport sales, some individuals without Tongan citizenship may have fraudulent passports. While the law changed to illegalize the sale of passports and to tighten security measures, passport trade on the black market may still be possible. A task force has been set up to investigate this situation.

B. Policy for accepting evidence from Tonga

We do not accept evidence from Tonga at face value.

C. Procedure for developing evidence from Tonga

1. Obtaining evidence of age for people born in Tonga

If the claimant lives in the United States, develop for convincing evidence of age as explained in

• GN 00302.115 First Priority Automatically Convincing Evidence of Age

• GN 00302.118 Second Priority Automatically Convincing Evidence of Age

• GN 00302.125 Combination of Documents Which Eliminate the Need for Further Development — Age

If the claimant resides outside the United States, develop for other evidence to prove age as explained in GN 00307.150C.2.b.

2. Obtaining evidence of other events that occurred in Tonga

Do not ask the claimant to submit evidence from Tonga. Develop for secondary evidence or other non-Tongan evidence according to the evidentiary requirements for the type of claim filed. For information on determining what evidence SSA requires, see GN 00301.140. Obtain evidence issued at least five years before the claimant first filed for benefits. If the event occurred less than five years before the claimant first filed for benefits, obtain evidence issued as close to the event date as possible.

3. Verification of evidence from Tonga

Follow these instructions if the claimant submitted evidence from Tonga.

a. When to request verification of evidence from Tonga

Request verification of evidence from Tonga only if

1. there is no secondary non-Tongan evidence; or

2. we cannot make a decision based on the other evidence; or

3. the verified Tongan document would be sufficient to establish

   1. the factor of entitlement; or

   2. a more advantageous date as explained in GN 00204.040.

b. How to request verification of evidence from Tonga

If any of the situations in GN 00307.882C.3.a in this section apply, take the following steps:

1. Scan a clear and complete copy (front and back) of the document into the electronic folder using the Non-Disability Repository for Evidentiary Documents (NDRed). For an overview of NDRed, see

   • GN 00301.319 The Purpose of Non Disability Repository Application (NDRed)

   • GN 00301.310 The Non Disability Repository for Evidentiary Documents (NDRed) Application—Overview

2. Access the Electronic 562 and prepare a “Request for Assistance/Certification of Documents or Records” as follows:

   1. Request that the Regional Federal Benefits Officer (RFBO) obtain the assistance of the servicing Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) or the Foreign Service Post (FSP).

   2. Include a remark that the document is available in the Claims File User Interface (CFUI). For information on CFUI, see SM 08001.000.

   3. Specify that we require a personal examination of the source record. The source record reveals whether the document is accurate, unaltered, and made at the time stated.

   4. Ask the RFBO to have the FBU or FSP obtain a current certification, if verification shows that the claimant submitted a document that differs materially from the source record.

Do not send the SSA-562 directly to the RFBO. Send the form to office code E15 in the International Benefits Office (IBO), the Office of Earnings and International Operations (OEIO), Division of International Operations (DIO). For information on requesting assistance in foreign cases, see GN 00904.220.