From Kimberly Powell,
Your Guide to Genealogy.
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Once you've found your ancestor in the Social Security Death Index, you may want to request a copy of your ancestor's original Social Security Application. An excellent record for genealogical information, the SS-5 is the application form used by an individual to enroll in the U.S. Social Security program.

The SS-5, or Application for Social Security Number is a great resource for learning more about individuals who died after about 1960, and generally includes the following:

• Full name
• Full name at birth, including maiden name
• Present mailing address
• Age at last birthday
• Date of birth
• Place of birth (city, county, State)
• Father's full name
• Mother's full name, including maiden name
• Sex
• Race as indicated by the applicant
• Whether the applicant ever applied for Social Security or Railroad Retirement before
• Current employer's name and address
• Date signed
• Applicant's signature

As long as a person is deceased, the Social Security Administration will provide a copy of this Form SS-5, Application for Social Security Number to anyone who makes a request under the Freedom of Information Act. They will also release this form to the registrant (the person who belongs to the Social Security Number) and to anyone who has a release-of-information statement signed by the person about whom the information is sought.

How to Request a Copy of the SS-5

Send (1) the person's name, (2) the person's Social Security Number (if known), and (3) either evidence of death or a release-of-information statement signed by the person about whom the information is sought, to:

Social Security Administration
OEO FOIA Workgroup
300 N. Greene Street
P.O. Box 33022
Baltimore, Maryland 21290-3022

Mark both the envelope and its contents: "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST " or "INFORMATION REQUEST."

If you supply the Social Security Number, the fee is $27.00. If the SSN is not known, the fee is $29.00, and you must send the person's full name, date and place of birth, and names of parents.

The usual wait time for receiving a copy of a Social Security Application Form is 6-8 weeks, so be prepared to be patient!

Kimberly Powell, About.com's Genealogy Guide since 2000, is a professional genealogist and the author of "Everything Family Tree, 2nd Edition." Click here for more information on Kimberly Powell.