June 5, 2002 – The Social Security Administration has modified the policy for issuing new Social Security numbers to applicants age one or older.
Effective June 1, 2002, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will begin verifying birth records with the custodian of record for United States-born Social Security number (SSN) applicants age one or older applying for an original SSN or requesting a change in the date of birth shown in Social Security's records.
In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the custodian of record is the V.I. Bureau of Vital Statistics, said a release from V.I. District Manager for SSA Roberto Caraballo.
SSA will delay assigning a Social Security number until the record has been verified. This could delay receipt of the number from three to 12 weeks. Therefore, it is important that parents apply for a SSN as soon as possible to avoid delays.
The policy modification is intended to protect the integrity of the Social Security number by preventing those with criminal intent from using false or stolen birth records to obtain a numbers.
The policy modification applies to all United States-born applicants age one or older applying for an original SSN or requesting a change in the date of birth shown in Social Security's records.
The agency is strengthening the integrity of the Social Security number system to respond to issues highlighted by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and to deal with the problem of identity theft.
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