TN 32 (07-06)

Policy

SSA evaluates religious records under GN 00307.105A.2.d. and GN 00307.110 only if the document itself shows that it was issued by an RCC or that the baptism was performed in accordance with the Roman or Latin rites. SSA does not use the claimant's statement to establish it was issued by an RCC.

If the religious certificate does not show that it is a Roman Catholic record, SSA accepts it at face value only if it:

1. shows clearly when (month, day and year) the age or DB was entered in the source record; and

2. either:

   • was issued at least 5 full years before the claimant first filed for benefits, or

   • agrees materially with all other DB information in file (including allegations on other applications and the numident) and at least one of the pieces of evidence in file was recorded at least 5 full years before the claimant first filed for benefits.

EXCEPTION: SSA accepts documents issued by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul at face value. SSA assumes the DB/age was recorded at or near the date of baptism (if no recordation date is shown) unless the file raises a question about this assumption. No such assumption is made about certificates issued by other clergy outside the Patriarchate whose signatures were just authenticated by the Patriarchate. Certificates issued by other than the Patriarchate are accepted at face value only if the meet the criteria above for non-Roman Catholic religious records.