Social Security Records prior to 1856

[mkaykrista]

Good morning! I have a SSC I wanted to order, but my relative was born in 1864 and Social Security doesn't provide records past 1865. I contacted Social Security to see why this was, but just received a very generic response without answering my question.

So, my question is - why can't we order SSC records prior to 1865? I'm so disappointed because having my relative's Social Security information would knock down a huge brick wall. I also have his SSN, but I want to see the full record.

Thank you!

[Tessa78]

I am a bit confused by your post...

The Social Security Act was passed in 1935. There would be no records prior to that because it did not exist.

However, if your dates are typos - and you are talking about records after 1965 - AND you have the SSN - then you can write for the Social Security Application - SS-5. This should provide the names of parents and place of birth.
https://www.thoughtco.com/social-securi ... s5-1422243

If this is what you are looking for - here is the link to order.
https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-711.pdf
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps9/eFOIA-FEWe ... t/main.jsp

T.

[mkaykrista]

Hi Tessa,

The dates I listed are correct. The form states SS cannot process a request for individuals born before 1865 (page 2/3 in the PDF). My relative was born in 1864 and died in 1938. When I go to order his SS information online, I receive an error upon entering his birth year because of this limitation, even though I have his SSN.

However, I can order his SS information online without entering his birth year. But am I then cheating the system because his birth is before the acceptable timeframe?

[Tessa78]

I would order with just the SSN.

They may actually have a different birth year for him

T.

[jimsanders]

There would be no records prior to 1935 as it didn't exist.

[samuelwaters]

There is no records prior to 1935