Letter to Custodian of Birth Records

The SSA-L706 is an agency-initiated letter requiring the SSN applicant’s signature and usually payment, often in the form of a check. Per the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRTPA), SSA shall verify all documents submitted by U.S. born applicants as evidence of age for an original SSN card, unless submitting a request for an SSN through the enumeration at birth (EAB) process. When individuals need help in obtaining evidence of their age in connection with Social Security number (SSN) card applications and claims for benefits, SSA prepares the SSA-L706, Letter to Custodian of Birth Records. SSA uses Form SSA-L706 to verify the proof of age when an SSN applicant submits a birth record that the Social Security Number Application Process (SSNAP) system deems questionable. In most of the cases, we verify birth records (i.e., birth certificates) with the custodian of the record or issuing entity before processing the SSN card application via an online query such as the Electronic Verification of Vital Events (EVVE) or SSA approved online access to State vital records. However, when the applicant submits alternative evidence to request an original SSN card or to correct a date of birth (DOB) that SSA cannot verify via an online query (i.e., the custodian/issuing entity of the birth record is a hospital or health care provider), we use the SSA-L706 to verify proof of age for enumeration purposes. The SSNAP system pre-fills a PDF version of the SSA L706 using information from the SSN application to ensure accuracy and save time. SSA uses the letter to verify with the custodian or issuing entity, when necessary, the authenticity of the record the SSN applicant or claimant submitted. SSA mails the SSA-L706 to the respondents to complete and mail or fax back the completed form back to us. The respondents are SSN applicants who sign the request; State and local bureaus or agencies of vital statistics, and religious entities who submit the information regarding evidence of age for the SSN applicant.

The latest form for Letter to Custodian of Birth Records expires 2026-04-30 and can be found here.

SSA-L106 Letter to Custodian of School Records (Private Sector)

Federal Enterprise Architecture: Income Security - General Retirement and Disability

Review document collections for all forms, instructions, and supporting documents - including paper/printable forms.