TN 3 (04-10)

A. Are SSA records acceptable evidence of identity?

SSA records (e.g., Numident, award letter, Medicare card) cannot be used to establish identity. Do not issue a replacement SSN card, or a new SSN assigned, based on an old SSN card or stub. These records are SSA's own records and do not adequately establish an applicant’s identity for SSA's purposes.

B. Which identity documents are generally not acceptable?

1. What is the rule for questionable documents?

The documents listed in RM 10210.430B.3. of this subsection have less probative value than the documents listed under RM 10210.420. and may be based solely upon the person's allegations. Therefore, they should not be accepted by themselves to establish identity for SSA purposes.

2. Are there exceptions?

There are exceptions to the general rule that documents listed under RM 10210.430B.3. are not acceptable. Follow RM 10210.410 to determine if a document is acceptable evidence of identity when your office and region determines that a document listed in RM 10210.430B.3. of this subsection is acceptable evidence based on the reason for its issuance and the basis for that issuance.

EXAMPLE: A voters’ registration card generally should not be accepted as evidence of identity. However, a Puerto Rico voter’s identification card is acceptable as evidence of identity because:

• the document is issued based on documentary evidence such as an original birth certificate or U.S. Passport/Passport card, and

• contains a photograph of the voter as opposed to being issued only based on the allegations of the person registering to vote as is the case in most States.

The regional office approved the use of these documents to establish identity.

In general, a document may be evaluated for probative value and if it meets certain criteria the document can be added to the National Identity Document Database (NIDD) at http://nynet.ny.ssa.gov/identitydocument/ by your regional office.

See Details

• RM 10210.405C, For more information on rules for evidence of identity

• RM 10210.410, How to Examine, Evaluate, and Assess Documents Submitted as Evidence of Identity

3. List of questionable documents

When presented with a document from the list of questionable documents:

• evaluate the document,

• determine the purpose for which the document was issued, and

• the basis for issuance.

Follow the guidelines in RM 10210.410E.

Questionable documents for review may include:

• Temporary Driver’s Licenses (that states document not valid for identification purposes.)

• Library card

• Vehicle registration

• Voter's registration

• Rental or lease agreement or receipt

• Credit card (with or without a photo)

• Shopping card (e.g., grocery store card, warehouse store shopping card)

• Check cashing card

• Organization membership cards

• Bank deposit slip

• Telephone/Utility bill

• Fishing/hunting license

• Identification cards issued by local sports teams; e.g., an ID card issued by the community recreational council to players on a Little League team (such cards are generally based on an allegation alone)

• Ident-a-Kid card (although it may be issued through local schools or police departments, no information is maintained by any organization; the card is prepared based on the information provided by the parent)

• Form W-2

• Any document issued by World Service Authority (For more information on Other Novelties and Birth Records see RM 10210.720)

• Any identity card/document issued by a commercial firm (e.g., United States Identification card produced by the commercial firm United States Identification Card Systems, Inc.) because it is based on the purchaser’s allegation alone (For more information on Commercial Identification Card Operations see RM 10210.725).

• Any identity card/document issued by a fictitious governmental organization or a private organization that purport to be governmental organizations (e.g., Moorish Consulate, Moorish National Bureau of Vital Statistics) because it is based on allegation alone (For more information on Commercial Identification Card Operations see RM 10210.725).

• Any document that is completed by the applicant (such as a blank immunization form where the parent or applicant completes the information identifying the individual).

• Prison and parole documents unless received directly from the prison under a formal MOU enumeration agreement. See RM 10225.125. Replacement SSN Cards for Prison Inmates Covered by a Memorandum of Understanding and RM 10225.135. Elements of a Prisoner Replacement Card Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

NOTE: The documents listed are not individually acceptable as evidence of identity, however a document may be useful to support a secondary level identity document or an approved third-level identity document. If a person possesses many types of documents, the more likely it is the person can be correctly identified.

A document on this list is not acceptable as evidence of identity because it is of lesser probative value, but it demonstrates that the applicant is using the name in everyday routines (e.g., fishing, shopping) and a document on this list may lend some credibility to the chosen secondary or third level identity document.