TN 32 (07-06)

A. Introduction

All RCCs enter specific information about each baptism in a baptismal register shortly after the baptism occurs. When a baptismal certificate is issued based on this register, the five items listed in GN 00307.105A.2.d. are shown on the certificate. Failure to show all of these items indicates that some other register may have been used to issue the certificate.

Except as noted below, the procedure in this section applies only to RCC baptismal certificates issued in the countries listed in GN 00307.190D. for which SSA cannot assume the recordation date of a birth certificate.

EXCEPTIONS: The procedure in this section is not applicable to countries for which SSA cannot assume the recordation if:

1. The individual country instructions in GN 00307.303 through GN 00307.967 prohibit the acceptance at face value of baptismal certificates from that country or otherwise limit the application of this instruction; or

2. The baptismal certificate is from one of the following countries:

   • North Korea;

   • Belarus;

   • Turkmenistan;

   • Ukraine; or

   • Uzbekistan.

B. Policy

1. General

SSA does not make any assumptions about the record on which a baptismal certificate was based unless the five items listed in GN 00307.105A.2.d. are shown.

2. Issuing Church

SSA assumes, absent information to the contrary, that baptismal certificates from churches in the following areas were issued by RCCs:

• Mexico;

• Dominican Republic; and

• Central and South America (except Belize, French Guiana and Suriname).

C. Procedure

Ask the claimant, or other knowledgeable person, if the document was issued by an RCC if the certificate does not show that it was issued by an RCC. Show the response on an SSA-795, RC or MDW if:

• The certificate was issued in a country where the recordation date cannot be assumed, as shown in GN 00307.190D.;

• The certificate does not show that it was issued by an RCC or that the baptism was according to the Roman or Latin rites; and

• It is necessary to use the guidelines in GN 00307.105A.2.d. to establish a recordation date.