Comments due on SS-5 access
As much as The Legal Genealogist tries to keep up with legal issues that impact genealogy, sometimes things sneak past. This is one of those that almost snuck past, so here’s a very late call to action:
We have until the end of the day tomorrow, Monday, November 13th, to comment on a truly boneheaded proposal by the National Archives to dramatically stall public access to the SS-5 forms created by the Social Security Administration (SSA): those applications for Social Security numbers that we all rely on as genealogical evidence for dates and places of birth, parentage and more for folks who were covered by the Social Security system starting as early as 1938.
It’s a hard proposal to read and understand, which is why it flew under the radar for so long. In essence, it says nobody has to make these forms readily available — without a request under the Freedom of Information Act and the likelihood of redaction of critical information — until the year 2092.
You read that right.
2092.
When we’ll all be long gone.
In a nutshell … SSA says it’s too hard to make these records fully available now, so rather than trying to find a way to make them as available as possible, the National Archives proposal simply caves and says fine, we’ll just leave these in a system where they’re really hard to get to.
So… here are the major problems with the proposed delay in transferring these records from the Social Security Administration to the National Archives as outlined by the Association of Professional Genealogists:
• Delay: The current proposal does not transfer any of these records until 2092. Given the vital importance of SS-5s in genealogical research, such a delay is unreasonable.
• Access: The cumbersome process of obtaining SS-5s through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and SSA’s redactions severely limit researchers.
• Historical Importance: SS-5s are one of the few records with self-reported parental details, vital for research.
• Stated Rationale: The justification of SSA’s business needs doesn’t hold since these are digital records accessible to both NARA and SSA.
• Preservation Concerns: SSA has previously faced challenges in maintaining the quality and preservation of these records.
We all acknowledge that there are privacy and logistical concerns in getting these records from SSA to the National Archives. But those problems can be overcome or at least the impact mitigated:
• Leverage Technology: Use artificial intelligence to automate the indexing of SS-5s, aiding in efficient and timely transfers.
• Immediate Accession with Restrictions: Allow access to specific records upon request until full indexing is possible.
• Redaction: Consider masking only the Social Security Numbers for immediate public access, with potential future unmasking.
• Alternative Compromises: Immediate transfer of older SS-5s or the transfer of each digitized microfilm individually.
• Advocate for a 100-Year Rule: Pressuring SSA for an accelerated timeline would allow earlier access.
• Assured Preservation: Even if immediate public access isn’t granted, ensuring that the records are stored safely under NARA’s care is paramount.
That’s the basic argument, and we need the community to step up and say so. Public comments can be submitted at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007, and that’s where you can also read the full proposal. And you can read the letter submitted by APG on the issue here.
There’s no good reason for all SS-5s to stay behind the FOIA wall until 2092. But if we don’t speak up, that’s exactly what will happen.
So comment, please, by the end of the day, tomorrow, Monday, November 13.
Access to records is up to us.
Cite/link to this post: Judy G. Russell, “Deadline: tomorrow!,” The Legal Genealogist (https://www.legalgenealogist.com/blog : posted 12 Nov 2023).
Image by Dall-E, AI-generated 12 Nov 2023.
I oppose the proposal. There’s no good reason for all SS-5s to stay behind the FOIA wall until 2092.
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
I oppose the proposal. Best if would be available with SS# eradicated and records available no later than 75 years after initial issue of card; based on 75 year rule for US census.
Make sure you post your comment. The link is at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
I oppose the proposal.
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
This is unacceptable
I think SS has already destroyed original SS apps. I used to receive photo copy of original form. Recently – after long wait and $30 – got computer print-out with name, SS# and 2 dates that do not match that persons dates??? No parents names.
There are two options: the copy of the SS-5 and an abbreviated record called a Numident. Make sure you’re careful in what you order.
That’s what I requested but not what I got.
Not every person who had a Social Security number has a surviving SS-5. If there isn’t a surviving SS-5, then the Numident is sent.
The SS5 document is a vital research tool for all family researchers. Today’s technology allows for quick and efficient digitizing the documents and redaction of social security numbers for living persons. In a free and open democracy to withhold this information seems inconsistent with our basic truths.
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
That this information available now. We need information concerning our relatives
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
As noted by the Legal Geneologist by Judy G. Russell: “There are the major problems with the proposed delay in transferring …(the SS5) records from the Social Security Administration to the National Archives as outlined by the Association of Professional Genealogists:
• Delay: The current proposal does not transfer any of these records until 2092. Given the vital importance of SS-5s in genealogical research, such a delay is unreasonable.
• Access: The cumbersome process of obtaining SS-5s through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and SSA’s redactions severely limit researchers.
• Historical Importance: SS-5s are one of the few records with self-reported parental details, vital for research.
• Stated Rationale: The justification of SSA’s business needs doesn’t hold since these are digital records accessible to both NARA and SSA.
• Preservation Concerns: SSA has previously faced challenges in maintaining the quality and preservation of these records….
We all acknowledge that there are privacy and logistical concerns in getting these records from SSA to the National Archives. But those problems can be overcome or at least the impact mitigated:
• Leverage Technology: Use artificial intelligence to automate the indexing of SS-5s, aiding in efficient and timely transfers.
• Immediate Accession with Restrictions: Allow access to specific records upon request until full indexing is possible.
• Redaction: Consider masking only the Social Security Numbers for immediate public access, with potential future unmasking.
• Alternative Compromises: Immediate transfer of older SS-5s or the transfer of each digitized microfilm individually.
• Advocate for a 100-Year Rule: Pressuring SSA for an accelerated timeline would allow earlier access.
• Assured Preservation: Even if immediate public access isn’t granted, ensuring that the records are stored safely under NARA’s care is paramount….
There’s no good reason for all SS-5s to stay behind the FOIA wall until 2092. “
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
We need full access to SS-5 access as genealogical proof of birth & death records of SSA numbers.
Please don’t inhibit or stall this process until 2092, we need these records much sooner.
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
I do not agree with this proposal. As a genealogist I use these records many times per week as proof of parentage, birth and death dates.
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
These records are the backbone of genealogical research in America – not only that, they are one of the largest sources of self-reported sociological data on earth. If any records must be made safe in our National Archives, it is the archived history of our people. Do not mothball this, don’t let time compound the difficulty of this task and nip this in the bud now, not in 70 years.
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
Do not change anything with SS5 forms
Actually, we DO want them to change things — but to make them MORE accessible, not less. Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
Release our Ancestors SS-5 those documents belong to us the family members not you to decide when and if they will be released. !00% violation of the freedom of Information Act!
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
The SS-5 are vital to validate information for genealogical records. This proposal is NOT in the public’s interest.
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
As someone researching family history, it would be next to impossible to do so without access to this information.
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
Genealogy would be irreparably harmed by this change in access. Usually, this source makes the difference in proving a link to an ancestor. Please consider how this impacts the public.
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
Please save our access to these records. They have vital info for genealogy.
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
These records should not be locked up.
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
Records need to be accessible for genealotgists including social security numbers for decesed individuals, including preservation and storage for accuracy.
Thanks for the link to the APG letter. I submitted my comment today!
Done!
Please do not remove these records; they are a valuable source of information.
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
Would there be any value to contacting our congressional representative?
Not now. Let’s fight the agency battle first. If we win there, there’s no need to contact representatives.
This is egregious. Many genealogists, family researchers depend on the information on the social security cards. It is of vital importance. There are many people who are trying to find unknown family members desparately searching for their roots. Please add my name to the list of people who are in need of social security information; it is reliable and invaluable.
Make sure you post your comment. The link is at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
What is the problem? The SS# are no longer effective because these SS#’s belong to the deceased and there is nothing that can be done with these numbers. This information is valuable for the family and no one else.
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
Make sure you post your comment. The link is at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
I hope all of you are actually commenting at the SS site! I saw only 33 comments when I went there to comment myself.
As of 9 pm, comments are at almost 300. Hopefully this helps change their minds.
I hope all of you are actually submitting comments on the SS site–there were only 33 comments there when I went there to comment myself.
Apologies for the duplicate!
The records must be kept open to genealogist. They are the historians of families and must have access now and not 92 years later.
Make sure you post your comment at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
My posted comment: This would be the only public record I am aware of that comes anywhere close to not being available for 154 years after the records begun in 1938. These are important records for family historians and especially for citizens whose ancestry is more difficult to trace. One example is African American research where these records can occasionally provide the critical link back to antebellum ancestry with their self-reported parentage information. Such a delay in their availability would be so far removed from best practice that the ensuing scrutiny would lead to a need to justify a public benefit much more fully for such a delay.
Thanks for commenting!
[ Look at you using AI for blog content! – Have you done a post about your dealings with DALL-E? Which version are you using? ]
Done!
These records must be kept open!
Make sure you post your comment. The link is at https://www.regulations.gov/document/NARA-23-0011-0007.
En soutien aux généalogistes américains, je suis contre cette directive SS-5.
Thanks for the heads up Judy. Comment posted. Tracking number noted.
Please keep the SS-5s open. There is no reason to keep this information from behind closed doors.
Make sure you post this as a comment to the proposal, not as a comment here!
Done! Such a ridiculous proposal!
Judy,
I just sent this to them. I got my tracking number.
I oppose the decision to put SS – five applications for account numbers on the back burner until 2092. I do not know who came up with this boneheaded decision. As what I see the national archives and records administration is a government entity. Therefore I say that you work for me out of my income.
Let me bring this to you in other terms. As a healthcare worker you pay me for your healthcare, maybe you would like me to delay my repair of your ventilator or your heart-lung machine until 2092 just because I feel like Covid and everything else took over and put a big delay on things. The government needs to grow up where some big boy pants and move forward. Covid is basically done. Yes we need to be cautious and careful.
Now back to the issue at hand with the cessation of moving forward with the SS – 5 applications for account numbers. Yes there might be some delays but I do believe that your government agency can still move forward at a quicker speed than what is being tossed out. I guess that does mean that we may have to support third parties going in and finding the records for us at a higher cost. If this is such I will be asking my congressman and my senators to propose that there be a large reduction of individuals with the older Social Security numbers first. And then in two years a significant reduction in the Social Security numbers of employees working at NARA in the middle range of the Social Security’s numbers. This would also include any managerial and any supervisory individuals.
Remember you are my public servants, don’t forget that!!
Respectfully,
John S Arford
1558 Knox Drive
New Haven, Indiana 46774
arfordgenealogy@gmail.com
Allen County Genealogist for the Indiana Genealogical Society
Can someone tell me where “To review other comments, please click on “Browse Posted Comments””?…I do not see “Browse Posted Comments”, to be able to browse them…
I don’t see that either. I suspect it’s because it’s not technically on the rulemaking docket.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. My comment has been posted.
Comment posted. Fingers crossed they have a change of heart & mind.
Here is what I posted to the NARA site:
Making the SS-5 Applications for Account Number unavailable until 2092 is ridiculous. The longest reasonable time to withhold these documents is 75 years, in line with the release schedule for census records. Many people use these documents to track information for their ancestors that is possibly not available anywhere else. With advanced technology and the fact that many (or all) of these records are digitalized, there is no excuse to not release them to the public in a timely manner. NARA and SSA are entities of the government, and as such, they and their employees are servants of the population, the citizens, who pay their salaries via taxes.