15/2/23, 10:49 SSA - POMS: RM 10210.

420 - Priority List of Acceptable Evidence of Identity Documents - 08/30/2017

Social Security

Program Operations Manual System (POMS)

Effective Dates: 08/30/2017 - Present

TN 27 (06-19)

RM 10210.420 Priority List of Acceptable Evidence of Identity Documents

Use the following chart of identity documents to help determine the identity of an applicant for a Social Security number (SSN).

The documents listed in this section are acceptable as evidence of identity only if they:

• meet the stated primary, secondary, and third level evidence requirements (for example- unexpired, issued within the timeframe
stated) listed in RM 10210.405.

• are originals (such as U.S. State issued driver's licenses, State issued IDs and U.S. passports),

• are properly certified by the issuing agency (such as school records or medical records).

Documents with security features (such as passports, driver's licenses, identification cards and employee identification cards and
employee identification cards) cannot be copied and certified by the custodian of record. You must be able to authenticate the
document via the instructions in RM 10210.210.

Do not accept any document that clearly states it is not valid, or not for identification purposes.

EXCEPTION: Permanent U.S. driver’s licenses and State-issued non-driver identification cards with the legend “NOT FOR FEDERAL
IDENTIFICATION” are primary evidence of identity provided the document meets the evidence of identity requirements. Limited and
temporary documents are unacceptable as proof of identity documents, unless approved by your Regional Office (RO) and Central
Office (CO) enumeration staff.

A.  Documents For Children From Birth Through Age 5

Use the following chart of Identity documents to help determine the identity of an applicant for an SSN

U.S. citizen: Birth through age 5 Alien: Birth through age 5

1. Primary evidence 1. Primary evidence

Request one of the following documents: Request a current U.S. lawful alien document and an
unexpired foreign passport.

• Unexpired valid U.S. State issued non-driver identity

Enter the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
card (issued by the same State agency that issues
document as the primary proof of identity document and
driver’s licenses/State-level agency with issuing
enter the foreign passport information (name, date of
authority over the State’s identity cards)
birth, passport number, country name, issue date, and
expiration date) in the Evidence Submitted field on the
• U.S. Passport/Passport card (valid and unexpired) Social Security Number Application Process (SSNAP)
summary screen, when the information is not already in
NOTE: Some States may issue State non-driver the passport number field.

identification cards to children under age six.

• Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (includes
temporary I-551 stamp/machine readable immigrant
visa (MRIV) in combination with an unexpired foreign
passport when DHS has not issued the I-551
Permanent Resident Card).

EXCEPTION: You may accept an expired I-551 in

combination with a Notice of Action (Form I-797) and
an unexpired foreign passport. For instructions on
documenting the I-797 and entering an extended
expiration date for the I-551 based on the I-797, see
RM 10211.025C.1.d.

• Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record in combination

with an unexpired foreign passport.

NOTE: Select "I-94 w/Unexpired Foreign Passport"

from the Primary Proof of Identity Document drop-
down menu.

For instructions on entering in SSNAP, see RM

10211.140A.

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U.S. citizen: Birth through age 5 Alien: Birth through age 5

NOTE: An admission stamp in an unexpired foreign

passport and an unexpired passport are two separate
documents. See Policy for Number of Documents
Required for an SSN Card, RM 10210.020C.3.

• Form I-766, Employment Authorization card

• Form I-872, American Indian Card (only members of

the Texas Band of Kickapoos are eligible for this card,
see RM 10211.075C and RM 10210.425A.6.).

NOTE: In some cases, the alien may have a current

lawful alien document but may not have an unexpired
foreign passport (for example, a refugee or an
applicant who may have entered the U.S. without
inspection or who may have an American Indian Card).
In these situations, accept the lawful alien document
alone.

2.  Secondary evidence 2.  Secondary evidence

If primary evidence is not available (available means the When a child does not possess a U.S. lawful alien
document exists and the applicant can access or obtain it document, but meets the requirements in
within 10 business days), request one of the following
RM 10211.075 (Evidence for an SSN Card for an Alien
secondary evidence documents:
Lawfully in the U.S. Without Immigration Documents), RM
10211.600 (Requests for an SSN from an Alien without
• U.S. Diplomatic Passport Work Authorization), or

RM 10211.500 (Evidence for an SSN Card for an

• U.S. Official Passport
Undocumented Alien) for an SSN card for a non-work
reason, then accept any one of the following documents
• U.S. military dependent identification card as evidence of identity:

• Certificate of Naturalization • Unexpired valid U.S. State issued non-driver identity

card (issued by the same State agency that issues
• Certificate of U.S. Citizenship driver’s licenses/State-level agency with issuing
authority over the State’s identity card)
• U.S. Indian Tribal card or identification document
approved by the Regional Office (RO) with • U.S. military dependent identification card
concurrence from Enumeration policy in Central Office
(CO) as an acceptable identity document
• Canadian Band card (Certificate of Indian status) issued
to Indian members of Canadian tribes
• Final adoption decree issued by the court where the
recent adoption occurred, showing the child’s name
• Final adoption decree issued by the court where the
and the child’s date of birth (DOB) or the names of the recent adoption occurred, showing the child’s name,
adopting parent(s). If the adoption took place more and the child’s date of birth (DOB) or the names of the
than a year previously, a more recent identity
adopting parent(s). For information on availability of
document should be available (for example, medical documents based on a child’s age, see RM
record). For information on availability of documents 10210.405C.5..
based on a child’s age, see RM 10210.405C.5.

• Certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor, or

hospital) or letter providing extract data from the
medical record showing, the applicant’s name and the
applicant’s DOB or age (for certification by custodian
see GN 00301.030A.3.and for definition of extract, see
RM 10210.420D.2 of this section).

NOTE: Do not accept a receipt or a record of

treatment recorded or maintained by the applicant or
the applicant's family.

• Health insurance or U.S. Medicaid card showing, the

child’s name and:

– a photograph of the child, or

– the child’s age or DOB, or

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U.S. citizen: Birth through age 5 Alien: Birth through age 5

• Certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor, or – the parent(s)’ name(s)

hospital), immunization record, or letter providing
extract data from the medical record showing, the A health insurance or U.S. Medicaid card is unacceptable
applicant’s name and the applicant’s DOB or age (for as a secondary proof of identity document, if it does not
certification by custodian, see GN 00301.030A.3. and have a photo or biographical data.
for definition of extract, see RM 10210.420D.2 of this (card must be current).
section)
For information on identity documents that do not have
NOTE: The issue date of the immunization record is an expiration date see RM 10210.405C.5.
either the date parents received the document or the
date of child’s first recorded shot. Ensure that the  

document is less than four years old (see RM

10210.405C.5.).We do not accept immunization • Certified child care facility or other preschool or school
records from U.S. citizens who are over age 5. record (must be for the current or prior year)
showing the child’s age or DOB or parent(s)’ name(s).
If the issue date is four years old or more, check the See RM 10210.410B
date of the child’s last recorded shot. If date of last
recorded shot is less than four years from the current
date, use that date as the issue date and annotate in • Religious record (cradle roll, naming certificate, bris
SSNAP remarks. If the date of the child’s last shot was
certificate, or baptismal record showing the child’s
four years or longer, you must request another name and the child’s age or DOB, or parent(s)’
document. name(s)); or an Amish or Mennonite bishop’s letter as
described in RM 10225.040.
• NOTE: Do not accept a receipt or a record of
treatment recorded or maintained by the applicant or
the applicant's family.

• Health insurance or U.S. Medicaid card showing, the

child’s name and:

– a photograph of the child, or

– the child’s age or DOB, or

– the parent(s)’ name(s)

A health insurance or U.S. Medicaid card is unacceptable

as a secondary proof of identity document, if it does not
have a photo or biographical data.
(card must be current).

For information on identity documents that do not have

an expiration date, see RM 10210.405C.5.

• Certified childcare facility or other preschool or school

record (must be for the current or prior year)
showing the child’s age or DOB or parent(s)’ name(s).
See RM 10210.410B.

• Religious record (cradle roll, naming certificate, bris

certificate, or baptismal record showing in addition to
the child’s name, the child’s age or DOB, or parent(s)’
name(s)); or an Amish or Mennonite bishop’s letter as
described in RM 10225.040.

• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) NOTE : The

CRBA is only acceptable for applications filed in
foreign offices as a proof of identity document for
U.S. Citizens 5 years of age and under. The CRBA is not
to be used as an identity document for enumeration
purposes inside the United States.

3.  Handle the following situations on a case-by-case 3.  Handle the following situations on a case-by-case
basis and follow the instructions in RM 10210.415B.5. basis and follow the instructions in RM 10210.415B.5.

When an applicant: When an applicant:

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U.S. citizen: Birth through age 5 Alien: Birth through age 5

• presents a primary or secondary document not listed • presents a primary or secondary document not listed
in the Proof of Identity drop down in the Enumeration in the Proof of Identity drop down in the Enumeration
System or in RM 10210.420A.1. or RM 10210.420A.2. in System or in RM 10210.420A.1. or RM 10210.420A.2. in
this section, or this section, or

• states that a primary or secondary identity document • states that a primary or secondary identity document
is not available (available means the document exists is not available (current lawful alien document or
and the applicant can access or obtain it within 10 identity document listed in RM 10210.420A.1. or RM
business days). 10210.420A.2. in this section).

NOTE: Regional Office – In locating evidence of identity,

consider the age of the child. For example, in the case of a
newborn, hospital records (not a souvenir birth certificate
issued by the hospital) created at the time of birth should
exist. Otherwise, you may use a medical record of the
physician or midwife attending the birth and attesting to
the facts of the birth and identity of the child in
conjunction with the birth record when no other evidence
exists for a newborn. After two weeks of age, most
children under age 5 routinely see a physician for
immunization shots and check-ups.

B.  Documents For Children Age 6 Through 17

Use the following chart of identity documents to help determine the identity of an applicant for an SSN

U.S. citizen: Children age 6 through 17 Alien: Children age 6 through 17

1.  Primary evidence 1.  Primary evidence

Request one of these documents:

• Request a current U.S. lawful alien document and an
unexpired foreign passport. Enter the DHS document
• Unexpired valid U.S. driver’s license (excludes licenses
as the primary proof of identity document and enter
that are suspended, revoked, or temporary). For more
the foreign passport information (name, date of birth,
information on temporary driver’s licenses see
passport number, country name, issue date, and
EXCEPTION in RM 10210.425A.1.). expiration date) in the Evidence Submitted field on the
SSNAP summary screen, if the information is not
• Unexpired valid U.S. State issued non-driver identity already in the passport number field.
card (issued by the same State agency that issues
driver’s licenses/State-level agency with issuing • Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (includes
authority over the State’s identity cards)
temporary I-551 stamp/machine readable immigrant
visa (MRIV) in combination with an unexpired foreign
• U.S. Passport/Passport card (valid and unexpired) passport when DHS has not issued the I-551
Permanent Resident Card).

NOTE: Most States issue driver’s licenses and State non-

EXCEPTION: You may accept an expired I-551 in
driver identification cards to children age 16 to 17 when
combination with a Notice of Action (Form I-797) and
they meet the requirements. Some States may issue State
non-driver identification cards to children under age 16. an unexpired foreign passport. For instructions on
documenting the I-797 and entering an extended
expiration date for the I-551 based on the I-797, see
RM 10211.025C.1.d.

• Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record in combination

with an unexpired foreign passport.

NOTE: Select "I-94 w/Unexpired Foreign Passport"

from the Primary Proof of Identity Document drop-
down menu. For instructions on entering in SSNAP,
see RM 10211.140A.

• Admission Stamp in unexpired foreign passport

NOTE: An admission stamp in the unexpired foreign

passport and an unexpired passport are two separate
documents. See RM 10210.020C.3, Policy for Number
of Documents Required for an SSN Card.

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U.S. citizen: Children age 6 through 17 Alien: Children age 6 through 17

• Form I-766, Employment Authorization card

• Form I-872, American Indian Card (only members of

the Texas Band of Kickapoos are eligible for this card,
see RM 10211.075C and RM 10210.425A.6.)

NOTE: In some cases, the alien may have a current

lawful alien document but may not have an unexpired
foreign passport (for example, a refugee or an
applicant who may have entered the U.S. without
inspection or who may have an American Indian Card).
In these situations, accept the lawful alien document
alone.

2.  Secondary evidence 2.  Secondary evidence

If a primary document is not available (available means When a child does not possess a U.S. lawful alien
the document exists and the applicant can access or document, but meets the requirements in
obtain it within 10 business days), request one of these
secondary evidence documents: RM 10211.075 (Evidence for an SSN Card for an Alien
Lawfully in the U.S. Without Immigration Documents),

• U.S. Diplomatic Passport RM 10211.600 (Requests for an SSN from an Alien without
Work Authorization), or
• U.S. Official Passport
RM 10211.500 (Evidence for an SSN Card for an
Undocumented Alien)
• U.S. military dependent identification card
for an SSN card for a non-work reason, then accept any
one of the following documents as evidence of identity:
• Certificate of Naturalization

• Unexpired valid U.S. driver’s license (excludes licenses

• Certificate of U.S. Citizenship that you know are suspended or revoked)

• U.S. Indian Tribal card or identification document • Unexpired valid U.S. State issued non-driver identity
approved by the Regional Office (RO) with card (issued by the same State agency that issues
concurrence from Enumeration Policy in Central Office
driver’s licenses/State-level agency with issuing
(CO) as an acceptable identity document
authority over the State’s identity cards)

• Final adoption decree issued by the court where the • U.S. military dependent identification card
recent adoption occurred, showing the child’s name
and the child’s DOB or the names of the adopting
• Canadian Band card (Certificate of Indian status) issued
parent(s). If the adoption took place more than a year
to Indian members of Canadian tribes
ago, a more recent identity document should be
available (for example, medical record). For
information on availability of documents based on a • Final adoption decree issued by the court where the
child’s age, see RM 10210.405C.5. recent adoption occurred, showing the child’s name
and the child’s DOB or the names of the adopting
• Certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor, or parent(s). For information on availability of documents
hospital) or letter providing extract data from the based on a child’s age see RM 10210.405C.5.
medical record showing, in addition to the applicant’s
name, the applicant’s DOB or age (for certification by • Certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor, or
custodian see GN 00301.030A.3.and for definition of hospital) or letter providing extract data from the
extract, see RM 10210.420D.2 of this section). medical record showing the applicant’s name and the
applicant’s DOB or age (for certification by custodian
NOTE: Do not accept a receipt or a record of see GN 00301.030A.3, and for definition of extract, see
treatment recorded or maintained by the applicant or RM 10210.420D.2 of this section)
the applicant's family. Do not accept immunization
records from applicants age 6 through age 17. NOTE: Do not accept a receipt or a record of
Applicants 6 years through 17 years of age should treatment recorded or maintained by the applicant or
have one of the documents listed in RM 10210.420B. the applicant's family. Do not accept immunization
records from applicants age 6 though age 17.
• Health insurance or U.S. Medicaid card showing, the Applicants 6 years through 17 years of age should
child’s name and: have one of the documents listed in RM 10210.420B. .

– a photograph of the child, or

– the child’s age or DOB, or

– the parent(s)’ name(s)

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U.S. citizen: Children age 6 through 17 Alien: Children age 6 through 17

A health insurance or U.S. Medicaid card is unacceptable

• Health insurance or U.S. Medicaid card showing, the
as a secondary proof of identity document if it does not
child’s name and:
have a photo or biographical data.
(card must be current).
– a photograph of the child, or
For information on identity documents that do not have
an expiration date see RM 10210.405C.5.
– the child’s age or DOB, or

• School identity card, certified school record, transcript,

– the parent(s)’ name(s)
or report card (must be for the current or prior year)
and show, in addition to the child’s name, either a
photograph of the child, the child’s DOB, or parent(s) A health insurance or U.S. Medicaid card is
names). See RM 10210.410B. unacceptable as a secondary proof of identity
document if it does not have a photo or biographical
NOTE: For validity of Student identification cards, data.
follow identity documents instructions in RM
10210.405C.5. (card must be current).

For information on identity documents that do not have

• Life insurance policy for the child showing the
an expiration date, see RM 10210.405C.5.
child’s name and the child’s age or DOB

• School identity card, certified school record,

• Religious record (cradle roll, naming certificate, bris
transcript,or report card (must be for the current or
certificate, or baptismal record showing the child’s
prior year) and show, the child’s name and either a
name and the child’s age or DOB, or parent(s)’
name(s)); or an Amish or Mennonite bishop’s letter photograph of the child, the child’s DOB, or parent(s)’
name(s). See RM 10210.410B
as described in RM 10225.040.

NOTE: For validity of Student Identification cards,

follow identity documents instructions in RM
10210.405C.5.

• Life insurance policy for the child showing the

child’s name and the child’s age or DOB

• Religious record (cradle roll, naming certificate, bris

certificate, or baptismal record showing the child’s
name and the child’s age or DOB, or parent(s)’
name(s)); or an Amish or Mennonite bishop’s letter
as described in RM 10225.040.

3.  Handle the following situations on a case-by-case 3.  Handle the following situations on a case-by-case
basis and follow the instructions in RM 10210.415B.5. basis and follow the instructions in RM 10210.415B.5.

When an applicant: When an applicant:

• presents a primary or secondary document not listed • presents a primary or secondary document not listed
in the charts in RM 10210.420A or RM 10210.420B in in the charts in RM 10210.420B, Item 1 in this section
this section or or RM 10210.420B, item 2 in this section or

• in the Proof of Identity drop down in the Enumeration • in the Proof of Identity drop down in the Enumeration
System, or System, or

• states that a primary or secondary identity document • states that a primary or secondary identity document
is not available (available means the document exists is not available (current lawful alien document or
and the applicant can access or obtain it within 10 identity document listed in RM 10210.420B, item 1 or
business days). RM 10210.420B, item 2 in this section).

C.  Documents For An Adult Age 18 Or Older

Use the following chart of identity documents to help determine the identity of an applicant for an SSN who is age 18 or older

U.S. Citizen: Adult age 18 or older Alien: Adult age 18 or older

1.  Primary evidence 1.  Primary evidence

Request one of these documents: Request a current U.S. lawful alien document and an
unexpired foreign passport. Enter the DHS document as
the primary proof of identity document and enter the
foreign passport information (name, date of birth,
passport number, country name, issue date, and

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U.S. Citizen: Adult age 18 or older Alien: Adult age 18 or older

expiration date) in the Evidence Submitted field on the

• Unexpired valid U.S. driver’s license (excludes licenses
SSNAP summary screen, when the information is not
that are suspended, revoked, or temporary). For more
already in the passport number field.
information on temporary driver’s license see
EXCEPTION in RM 10210.425A.1.
• Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (includes
temporary I-551 stamp/machine readable immigrant
• Unexpired valid U.S. State issued non-driver identity
visa (MRIV) with an unexpired foreign passport when
card (issued by the same State agency that issues
DHS has not issued the I-551 Permanent Resident
driver’s licenses/State-level agency with issuing Card).
authority over the State’s identity cards)
EXCEPTION: You may accept an expired I-551 in
• U.S. Passport/Passport card (valid and unexpired) combination with a Notice of Action (Form I-797) and
an unexpired foreign passport. For instructions on
documenting the I-797 and entering an extended
NOTE: We prefer a driver’s license for people age 18 or
expiration date for the I-551 based on the I-797, see
older. If the applicant does not submit a passport, driver’s
RM 10211.025C.1.d.
license, or State-issued non-driver identification card, ask
the applicant if the State issued him or her a current
driver’s license or State-issued identification card for non-
• Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record with an unexpired
drivers. If the applicant does not have such a document,
foreign passport.
ask why not. The applicant’s response may assist you in
helping the applicant find a suitable proof of identity
document. NOTE: Select "I-94 w/Unexpired Foreign Passport"
from the Primary Proof of Identity Document drop-
down menu. For instructions on entering in SSNAP,
see RM 10211.140A.

• Admission Stamp in unexpired foreign passport

NOTE: An admission stamp in an unexpired foreign

passport and an unexpired passport are two separate
documents. See Policy for Number of Documents
Required for an SSN Card, RM 10210.020C.3.

• Form I-766, Employment Authorization card

• Form I-872, American Indian Card (only members of

the Texas Band of Kickapoos are eligible for this card,
see RM 10211.075C and RM 10210.425A.6.)

NOTE: In some cases, the alien may have a current lawful

alien but may not have an unexpired foreign passport (for
example, a refugee or an applicant who may have entered
the U.S. without inspection or who may have an American
Indian Card). In these situations, accept the lawful alien
document alone.

2.  Secondary evidence 2.  Secondary evidence

If primary evidence is not available (available means the When an applicant does not possess a U.S. lawful alien
document exists and the applicant can access or obtain it document, but meets the requirements in
within 10 business days), request one of these documents:
RM 10211.075 (Evidence for an SSN Card for an Alien
Lawfully in the U.S. Without Immigration Documents),
• U.S. Diplomatic Passport
RM 10211.600 (Requests for an SSN from an Alien without
Work Authorization), or
• U.S. Official Passport
RM 10211.500 (Evidence for an SSN Card for an
• U.S. military identification card for active duty member, Undocumented Alien) for an SSN for non-work reasons,
retiree, national guard, or dependent
you may accept any one of the following documents as
evidence of identity:
• Certificate of Naturalization

• Unexpired valid U.S. driver’s license (excludes licenses

• Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
that you know are suspended or revoked)

• U.S. Indian Tribal card or identification document

• U.S. State issued non-driver identity card (issued by the
approved by the Regional Office (RO) with
same State agency that issues driver’s licenses/State-
concurrence from Enumeration Policy in Central Office level agency with issuing authority over the State’s
(CO) as an acceptable identity document
identity cards)

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U.S. Citizen: Adult age 18 or older Alien: Adult age 18 or older

• U.S. government employee identification card (Form • U.S. military identification card for active duty member,
OF-55, U.S. Government Identification, or other retiree, national guard, or dependent
document issued by the employing agency)
• Canadian Band card (Certificate of Indian status) issued
• Non-government employee identity card/badge card to Indian members of Canadian tribes
showing the applicant’s name and either a photograph
or the applicant’s DOB
• Marriage document showing the applicant’s name and
either the applicant’s DOB or age (see RM 10210.410
• Marriage document showing the applicant’s name, and and RM 10210.420)
either the applicant’s DOB or age (see RM 10210.410
and RM 10210.420)
NOTE: A marriage document is acceptable evidence of
identity only when submitted in name change situations
NOTE: A marriage document is acceptable evidence of to support the application for a name change. For more
identity only when submitted in name change situations information on name change documents, see RM
to support the application for a name change. 10212.010.

For more information on name change documents see

• Certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor, or
RM 10212.010.
hospital) or letter providing extract data from the
medical record showing, the applicant’s name and the
• Certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor, or
applicant’s DOB or age (for certification by custodian,
hospital) or letter providing extract data from the see GN 00301.030A.3.and for definition of extract, see
medical record showing the applicant’s name and the
RM 10210.420D.2 of this section)
applicant’s DOB or age (for certification by custodian
see GN 00301.030A.3. and for definition of extract, see
NOTE: A receipt or a record of treatment recorded or
RM 10210.420D.2 of this section.)
maintained by the applicant or the applicant's family is
not acceptable. Do not accept immunization records from
NOTE: A receipt or a record of treatment recorded or
applicants age 18 and older. Applicants 18 years of age
maintained by the applicant or the applicant's family is
and older should have on the documents listed in RM
not acceptable. We do not accept immunization records 10210.420C.
from applicants age 18 and older. Applicants 18 years of
age and older should have one of the documents listed in
• Health insurance or U.S. Medicaid card showing, the
RM 10210.420C.
applicant’s name and:

• Health insurance or U.S. Medicaid card showing, the

– a photograph, or
applicant’s name and:

– age or DOB
– a photograph, or

A health insurance or U.S. Medicaid card is unacceptable

– age or DOB
as a secondary proof of identity document, if it does not
have a photo or biographical data.
A health insurance or U.S. Medicaid card is unacceptable
as a secondary proof of identity document, if it does not (card must be current).
have a photo or biographical data.
For information on identity documents that do not have
(card must be current). an expiration date, see RM 10210.405C.5.

For information on identity documents that do not have  

an expiration date see RM 10210.405C.5.
• School identity card or certified school record or
 
transcript (for current school year) showing the
applicant’s name and either a photograph of the
• School identity card or certified school record or applicant or the applicant’s DOB. The two year policy
transcript (for current school year) showing, the
does not apply for school identity cards, certified
applicant’s name and either a photograph of the
school records, or transcripts (see RM 10210.405C.5.).
applicant or the applicant’s DOB). The two year policy
An adult applicant should be able to obtain one of
does not apply for school identity cards, certified
these documents for the current school year, see RM
school records, or transcripts (see RM 10210.405C.5.). 10210.410B.

• Life insurance policy for the person showing his or her

• An adult applicant should be able to obtain one of
age or DOB.
these documents for the current school year, see RM
10210.410B.

• Life insurance policy for the person showing his or her

age or DOB.

3. Handle the following situations on a case-by-case 3. Handle the following situations on a case-by-case
basis and follow the instructions in RM 10210.415B.5. basis and follow the instructions in RM 10210.415B.5.
When an applicant: When an applicant:

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U.S. Citizen: Adult age 18 or older Alien: Adult age 18 or older

• presents a primary or secondary document not listed • presents a primary or secondary document not listed
in the Proof of Identity drop down in the Enumeration in the Proof of Identity drop down in the Enumeration
System, or RM 10210.420C.1., or RM 10210.420C2., in System, or in RM 10210.420C.1., or RM 10210.420C.2.
this section, or in this section, or

• states that a primary or secondary identity document • states that a primary or secondary identity document
is not available (available means the document exists is not available (current lawful alien document or
and the applicant can access or obtain it within 10 identity document listed in RM 10210.420C.1., or RM
business days). 10210.420C.2., in this section).

NOTE: An elderly adult (age 70 or older), particularly one

who is less active or in a nursing home, may not have a
current identity document, but may have an expired
driver's license or State non-driver’s identification card
issued several years ago that would be acceptable in
conjunction with other evidence readily available (for
example, medical records).

D.  Types Of Documents From A Custodian Of The Record

1.  Original Record or Document

An original record or document is the actual written or typed record or actual created by the custodian of record (i.e., a U.S.
passport, Employee Identification card, or Medical Insurance card).

2.  Properly Certified Extract Document

A properly certified extract document is a document that contains a portion of pertinent identifiable information taken from
a larger original document of record such as a medical or school record that is certified by the custodian of record to be
accurate.

3.  Properly Certified documents

The original of some documents are held by the agency responsible for the maintenance of these records. In order to obtain
these records, an applicant must request a certified copy directly from the agency that issued or holds the original
documents. Only the agency that is the custodian of the records can create a certified copy of the record.

SSA will accept a photocopy of the original record or an extract (typed, handwritten, or computer generated) from the
record as evidence from an applicant only if the record custodian attests to the document's accuracy by

• a signed or stamped statement executed at the time the photocopy or extract is made; or

• affixing his or her seal of office to the photocopy or extract.

The certificate of endorsement on the certified document will contain the following:

• Certification language: "I certify that the information contained in this document is accurate." (see NOTE below).

• Printed name: The name of the authorized representative of the custodian of record. The name must be clearly typed or
printed.

• Signature (of individual authorized by custodian of record to certify documents).

• Title or Qualification (authorized individual's title or position (e.g., Doctor, Physician Asst., or Secretary)

NOTE: The certification of a document does not certify that the original document is genuine, only that it is a true and exact
copy of the document contained in the custodian of the record's file for the applicant.

E.  Additional Documents That Can Be Used As Evidence For A Proper Applicant

An applicant filing on behalf of someone else may use an acceptable U.S. document or an approved foreign document as
evidence of identity. The drop down in the Enumeration System lists approved foreign documents as "OEIO DOC" (Office of
Earnings and International Operations documents). Interviewers should also check the National Identity Document Database
(NIDD) for recently approved foreign documents.

F.  References

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15/2/23, 10:49 SSA - POMS: RM 10210.420 - Priority List of Acceptable Evidence of Identity Documents - 08/30/2017

• GN 00301.030 Acceptability of Documentary Evidence

• RM 10210.020 Policy for Number of Documents Required for an SSN Card

• RM 10210.210 Reviewing Age, Identity, Citizenship and Lawful Alien Status Evidence for an SSN Card

• RM 10210.405 Evidence of Identity for an SSN Card

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

• RM 10210.415 How to Prioritize Acceptable Identity Documents

• RM 10210.425 What are the Procedures for Specific Document Situations

• RM 10210.430 What Documents Are Not Evidence of Identity for an SSN Card

• RM 10210.555 Reviewing U.S. Passports (This section includes information on U.S. Passport Cards)

• RM 10211.025 Evidence of Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Status for an SSN Card

• RM 10211.075 Evidence for an SSN Card for an Alien Lawfully in the U.S. Without Immigration Documents

• RM 10211.135 Evidence of Non-immigrant Status for an Social Security Number (SSN) Card

• RM 10211.140 Entering Nonimmigrant Evidence into the Enumeration System

• RM 10211.500 Evidence for an SSN Card for an Undocumented Alien

• RM 10211.600 Requests for an SSN from an Alien without Work Authorization

• RM 10212.010 Evidence of a Name Change on the SSN

To Link to this section - Use this URL: RM 10210.420 - Priority List of Acceptable Evidence of Identity Documents - 08/30/2017
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110210420 Batch run: 06/24/2019
Rev:08/30/2017

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