United States Social Security Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What is in This Collection?
The "Social Security Death Index" is a database created from the Social Security Administration's Death Master File. This is an index of deceased individuals whose deaths were reported to the Social Security Administration. It has been kept since 1962, when operations were computerized. The index includes a few deaths from 1937 to 1961, about 50 percent of deceased persons from 1962 to 1971, and about 85 percent of deceased persons from 1972 to 2005.

Married women are usually listed in this index under their married name. Last names longer than 12 letters are shortened to 12 characters. The death place listed is not necessarily the place of death, it is the last place of residence that the Social Security Administration has on file. When two geographical divisions are given they represent County/State as opposed to City/State. For example Jefferson,Texas refers to the county of Jefferson not the City of Jefferson. If a town name of last residence is not listed, it may be found by use of the Zip code. The death date, residence at time of death, Social Security number, and state of issue are usually reliable information since the information comes directly from the Social Security Administration’s master file. However, realize that errors may have occurred when the information was originally entered. Information listed for the name and birth date was provided by an informant and may be inaccurate.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) was created in 1936 and began issuing Social Security numbers to track the earnings that workers reported for retirement benefits. In 1961, the Internal Revenue Service began using Social Security numbers to identify taxpayers. The SSA provides an extract from its file for distribution through the Department of Commerce’s National Technical Information Service. Because this extracted file deals with deceased persons, the information is considered to be in the public domain. Several organizations have purchased this file and posted it to their websites.

The purpose of this index was twofold: to protect the benefits to beneficiaries of pension funds, insurance benefits, and assist Federal, State and Local governments and others responsible for verifying deceased person(s) in support of fulfillment of benefits to their beneficiaries; and to identify and prevent identity fraud, and identify persons who are deceased. In 2014 Federal legislation changed the rules for access to the Social Security Death Master File. Records for the most recent 3 years are not available. This collection was last updated in 2016. The follow is a disclaimer from National Technical Information Service.
 * "The products advertised on this website contain the complete and official Social Security Administration (SSA) database extract, as well as updates to the full file of persons reported to SSA as being deceased. SSA authorizes the use of this database as a death verification tool, but notes that the Death Master File (DMF) may contain inaccuracies. Thus, SSA cannot guarantee the accuracy of the DMF. Therefore, the absence of a particular person on this file is not proof that the individual is alive. Further, in rare instances it is possible for the records of a person who is not deceased to be included erroneously in the DMF."

For additional information about the index please visit the National Technical Information Service's page Limited Access Death Master File.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Death
 * Name of the deceased (Married women are usually listed by their married name.)
 * Birth date
 * Death date
 * State or territory where the Social Security number was issued
 * Death residence, zip code and corresponding localities

The death residence as not necessarily the place of death. Rather, tt is the last place of residence that the Social Security Administration has on file.

Collection Content
Sample of indexed information:

How Do I Search This Collection?
To search the index it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your deceased ancestor
 * The place where your ancestor died
 * The approximate date of the death

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the death date and place to obtain a death certificate. The death certificate may lead you to mortuary, funeral, or church records. Follow the additional instructions on the screen for search tips and to learn how to request a copy of the person’s original application
 * Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth to find your ancestor’s birth records and parents' names
 * If your ancestor was born before 1940 you can use the birth date or age along with the place of birth to find the family in census records
 * Use the residence to locate other family members, church and land records
 * Married women are usually listed under their married name
 * The death place is not necessarily the place of death, it is the last place of residence that the Social Security Administration has on file
 * When 2 geographical divisions are given they represent County/State as opposed to City/State. For example Jefferson,Texas refers to the county of Jefferson not the City of Jefferson
 * Using the Zip code of last residence helps determine the town
 * The information in the records is usually reliable, but depends upon the reliability of the informant
 * There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another record
 * If you are unable to find the ancestors you are looking for, check for variant spellings of the surnames
 * The index only includes the names of deceased individuals whose deaths were reported to Social Security
 * Surnames longer than 12 letters are truncated to 12 characters. You may need to retry your search using only the first 12 letters of the name
 * Search the index to see if other family members are also listed. These might include the father, the mother, brothers, and sisters
 * Search the index to see if earlier or later generations are also listed. These might include aunts, uncles, grandparents, or children

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor
 * Married women are usually listed under their married names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United States.
 * United States Guided Research
 * United States Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.