HELP - U.S. Social Security Death Index

The U.S. Social Security Death Index contains records of deaths reported to the United States Social Security Administration. Most records start in 1962, but the file does contain a few records of deaths that happened before that date. I've provided more detailed help below.

Help Topics

Click one of the following for information about the U.S. Social Security Death Index screen:

• When Should I Use the U.S. Social Security Death Index?
• How Do I Use the U.S. Social Security Death Index?
• Tips for Searching
• I Can't Find the Information I'm Looking For. Now What?
• Details about Each Part of the Screen

When Should I Use the U.S. Social Security Death Index?

• To find records of recently deceased ancestors. The index mainly covers deaths since 1962. However, some records start as early as 1937.
• To find birth and death dates.
• To identify your ancestor's last place of residence. This can help you locate a death certificate or obituary.
• To identify the place where the death benefit payment was sent. This could help you locate living relatives.
• To determine the state where your ancestor lived when he or she was issued a social security number.
• To identify your ancestor's social security number. The number can help you get more information directly from the Social Security Administration.

Return to  Help Topics.

How Do I Use the U.S. Social Security Death Index?

To use the U.S. Social Security Death Index:

1. Type in a person's name. (You must enter at least a last name or first name or social security number.)
2. To begin the search, click Search.

In addition to using a person's name to search for information, you may use the following to make your search more specific: 

• Event
• Year Range (If you select a range, you must enter a year in the Year box.)
• Year
• State or Territory
• Social Security Number
• Use Exact Spelling 

Return to Help Topics.

Tips for Searching

To see expert tips on searching for records, click the Tips on How to Search the Social Security Death Index link on the search screen. 

Return to Help Topics.

I Can't Find the Information I'm Looking For. Now What?

Some individuals may not be listed in the U.S. Social Security Death Index. If you can't find a record for your ancestor, it may be because:

• The individual never received a social security number.
• The person's death was not reported to the Social Security Administration.
• The person died before 1962 when the records were computerized.
• There was an error when the social security number was issued.
• The person is not listed in the edition of the index currently online.

If your search was unsuccessful or you want more information, here are some suggestions:

1. Use the search tips. Click the Tips on How to Search the Social Security Death Index link on the search screen.

2. Try different spellings of last names. The Social Security Death Index automatically searches for last names that are spelled similarly (Hughes, Hughs, Hews, and so forth). However, it may not know all the variations. Try different spellings of the name. 

3. Check partial names. A surname (last name) may be listed by the second part of the name. Examples: also search Dyke for Van Dyke, try Mar for Del Mar, and try Murray for McMurray.

4. Search the index again at a later date. The database is updated periodically as new information is received. You may want to try your search again at a later date.

5. Try using a different search method. You may want to try searching a different database. Follow the steps below to choose another database:

1. From the Search tab, click Search for Ancestors.
2. Choose a database from the left menu.

You can also search web sites for general topics, such as military history or cemeteries. From the Search tab, click Web Sites; then choose one of the following options:

1. Click Browse Categories to browse through web sites and do keyword searches.
2. Click Advanced Search for additional options that will help narrow your search.

6. Search the Family History Library Catalog. The catalog lists additional records that are not available on the Internet but are available at a local family history center. The catalog lists:

• Family histories.
• Birth, marriage, and death records.
• Census records.
• Church registers.
• Books.
• Microfilm and microfiche.
• Other records containing genealogical information.

Close Help and Go to the Family History Library Catalog.

7. Look in Research Guidance. This tool helps you decide what records to use to find information about your ancestor. It lists the best records to use, recommends the order in which to search them, provides step-by-step instructions for finding information in the records, and tells you where the copies of the records may be located.

Close Help and Go to Research Guidance.

8. Browse other genealogical sites. You may find it helpful to use other Internet resources. Major Internet genealogical sites are listed in the Key Genealogical Sites category.

Close Help and Go to Key Genealogical Sites.

Return to Help Topics.

Details about Each Part of the Screen

First Name field:

• Type the first name of the person you are looking for. Examples: Sarah, Ann, Edward.
• Use the name that you believe the ancestor used at his or her death (the name reported to the Social Security Administration).
• If the person used a nickname or changed his or her name, try all the possibilities.
• Do not type identifiers or titles, such as Jr., Dr., Miss, Captain, Sir, and so on.
• FamilySearch Internet will ignore middle names unless you check the Use exact spelling box. When you check Use exact spelling, the search will look for the individual’s first, middle, and last name exactly as you listed them.

Return to Help Topics.

Last Name field:

• Type the person's last name at the time of death. Examples: Smith, McDonald.
• If the person changed his or her name, type the name that the person may be reported under.
• For a woman who is married, type her married surname. 
• Note: If a woman was not working at the time of her marriage and did not receive social security payments, her married surname may not have been recorded. She may be listed under her maiden name.

Return to Help Topics.

Event field:

• Click on the Event field and select an event (birth, death, or all) in the person's life for which you think a record was made.
• Choose Birth to search for where the social security number was issued.
• Choose Death to search for the state or territory of the ZIP code at time of death.
• Choose All to search for where the social security number was issued and for the location at time of death.

Return to Help Topics.

Year Range and Year fields:

• Use the Year Range and Year fields to indicate when the event you selected in the Event field occurred.
• Example: If you select a date range of  "+ or -10 Years," and type 1880 in the Year box, FamilySearch Internet will find only records created between 1870 and 1890.

Return to Help Topics.

State or Territory field:

• Click State or Territory and select a region to search. 
• Choose a specific state or territory, or select All States to broaden the search.
• Choose Areas under U.S. Administration to search for social security number issuance in Canal Zone, Canton Islands, Caroline Islands, Mariana Islands (other than Guam), Marshall Islands, Midway Islands, and Wake Islands.

Return to Help Topics.

Social Security Number field: 

• Enter the person's social security number.
• You can type the number with or without dashes. Example: 555-44-3333 or 555443333.

Return to Help Topics.

Use exact spelling check box:

• To find records with the person's name spelled exactly as you have entered it, click the Use exact spelling box.
• If you use the exact spelling feature, type only the person's name. Make sure all other fields (event, year range, and so forth) are blank.
• When you don't click the Use exact spelling box, FamilySearch Internet searches for the name you typed and any close matches. For example, the search results for the surname "Nelson" would include Nelson, Nelsen, Nielson, Nielsen, and so forth.

Return to Help Topics.

Search Button: Enter information into the search fields; then click Search to begin a search. 

Return to Help Topics.

Clear Button: To remove all the information from the search fields, click Clear.

Return to Help Topics.