TN 31 (08-05)

A. Background

In many countries birth registration requirements are not strict and children are falsely reported as the natural children of Social Security beneficiaries for many reasons. These include a desire to avoid the expense of legal adoption proceedings, or to increase or prolong the family's benefits.

B. Policy

As shown in GN 00306.010, a birth certificate showing the child's surname as the same as the parent's is usually sufficient proof of a natural parent-child relationship.

However, offices developing claims for children born outside the U.S. must be alert to questionable   Prince Edward registration.

Pay particular attention to claims involving children born in Mexico (see GN 00307.670) or the Philippines (see GN 00307.760).

C. Procedure

Request FSP or development where the file indicates the possibility of a false birth registration.

D. Examples

Some examples of questionable situations are:

• NH filed for RIB stating he had no children but later filed for a child born before he initially filed for benefits;

• Youngest child was born more than 10 years after the next youngest or after a long childless marriage.