GN 00302: Proof of Age
A. Current Statements about DB
Statements about DB not based on records should be made
On an SSA-702 (Statement Regarding DB and Citizenship), or
In any written, signed statement containing substantially the same information as that on a form SSA-702.
NOTE: This section covers current affidavits or statements. Consider older affidavits under the usual rules for evaluating documentary evidence of age. See GN 00302.545 and GN 00302.550 for special guidelines to be used in evaluating parents' affidavits made many years ago.
B. Meaningful and convincing statements
Current statements or affidavits of age by other persons can be weak or strong evidence depending on the circumstances of the case.
Generally, an individual's statement or affidavit is meaningful and convincing if it reflects a concrete basis for the individual's knowledge of the claimant's DB. Such knowledge can be shown by the individual's recall of personal facts such as
Attendance at birthday celebrations
Attendance at school in the same grade
Seeing the DB in a family Bible
History of family incidents or events.
A recollection of a personal event relating to the claimant's DB will be more valuable if the affiant can associate it with a commonly known historical fact (see the example at the end of this section).
C. Value and use of statements
In evaluating the strength of a statement or affidavit take care to weigh each statement on its merits. An aged individual can give a vivid and convincing statement, particularly when some event in the individual's life recalls an association with the claimant's DB, the individual appears alert, etc.
Even so, such statements and affidavits are not usually convincing evidence in themselves; however, they can become valuable in corroborating alleged DB's in material discrepancy cases when evidence in file does not clearly establish one DB or the other.
D. Procedures
Whenever the FO is aware that the claimant intends to obtain an affidavit, the FO should attempt to make a personal contact for the completion of the affidavit. The following procedures apply:
| IF a personal contact with the individual... | AND IF... | THEN... |
|---|---|---|
Is possible |
—— |
NOTE: See example in E. below. |
Is not possible |
The individual lives in the FO's service area |
NOTE: The covering letter may be supplemented or replaced by a telephone contact. |
The individual lives in another FO's service area |
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The individual lives in a foreign country |
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E. Example
By itself a statement such as, “I have always known that (the claimant) was two months younger than myself,” is weak. However, through a FO contact and appropriate questioning the statement could be strengthened considerably. For example, questioning might determine that
The individual first met the claimant when they became neighbors in August 1928
The individual attended the claimant's birthday party later that same month, the year before the stock market crashed and the Great Depression began
Both he and the claimant entered fifth grade the following month
It was always a point of pride for him to be two months older than the claimant.
Thus, a weak statement becomes meaningful and convincing.