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If you're in charge of closing a loved one's accounts and settling their estate, you'll need to know their Social Security number. If you don't already have this information, closing accounts can be a headache. There are a few ways to find the Social Security number of someone who has died. This guide will show you how to find the Social Security number of a deceased relative or parent.
Why do I need to find out a deceased person's Social Security number?
The Social Security number of a deceased person is often needed to settle their estate, claim life insurance benefits, and/or file taxes. The Social Security number can also be used to track down other important information about the deceased person, such as their date of birth or address.
While you may not need their Social Security number for a number of tasks, it can often make the process smoother and will require less back and forth between you and different companies. A Social Security number can also be used to close many accounts that you'll be closing if you're the executor of the estate.
Does a death certificate show a Social Security number?
In most cases, no. The Social Security number is not typically included on a death certificate. However, the deceased person's date of birth and state of residence may be listed.
This means that it will be up to you to track down the Social Security number on your own.
The good news is that there are a few ways to go about finding the Social Security number of a deceased relative or parent.
How do you find a deceased person's Social Security number?
There are a few ways to find the Social Security number of a deceased relative or parent. The best place to start is by asking other family members if they know the Social Security number. This is often the easiest and quickest way to find out the Social Security number, as it doesn't require you to start digging through files.
How to find Social Security number of deceased parent or relative
Finding a Social Security number doesn't have to be a difficult process. Some people are able to quickly locate the Social Security number of a deceased person on a form they have neatly packed away, while others find themselves under a mountain of documents with no idea where to start. If none of your family members know it, here's how to find the Social Security number of a deceased relative.
1. Search through their wallet.
This is often the first place people look when they're trying to find a Social Security number. The deceased person's social security card may be in their wallet, or they may have a note with their Social Security number written down. Some states have the Social Security number (SSN) as the driver's license number (or they'll show the SSN on the license itself).
2. Check their tax forms.
Another good place to look for a Social Security number is on the deceased person's tax forms. Look through their most recent tax return or any W-2 forms they may have. The Social Security number will be listed on these forms.
3. Check Social Security benefits statements.
If the deceased person was receiving social security benefits, their Social Security number will be listed on their benefit statements. These statements are sent out periodically, so you may have to look through a few years' worth of statements to find the right one.
If you're unsure, you can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to find out if the deceased person was receiving benefits.
4. Look through health care records.
The Social Security number may also be listed on the deceased person's health care records. These records could be from a hospital, doctor's office or insurance company.
If you're having trouble finding the Social Security number in these records, you can try calling the health care provider and asking for help.
5. Check pay stubs.
If the deceased person was employed, their Social Security number may be listed on their pay stubs. This is a good place to look if you can't find the Social Security number anywhere else.
Keep in mind that the deceased may have been receiving automatic payments and e-statements that contain this information online or in an email somewhere. If you have access to their email, try searching their mailbox for payment stubs.
6. Look through life insurance policies.
The Social Security number may also be listed on the deceased person's life insurance policy. If the deceased had a place where they stored documents and you think they had a life insurance policy, try searching through these documents for a life insurance policy or statement for the SSN.
7. Check the Social Security Death Index (SSDI).
The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) is a database of people who have died since 1962. The Social Security number is listed in the SSDI, so this can be a good place to look if you can't find the Social Security number anywhere else.
To search the SSDI, you can use any of the following sites:
Keep in mind that the SSDI is not a comprehensive database and can contain missing information, especially if the decedent passed away before 1962. If you're still unable to find the SSN of the person who passed after using these methods, you may want to consider contacting the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 for further guidance.
Once you know how to find the SSN of someone who has passed away, you can get started handling their tasks. If you’re not sure where to start, Ever Loved has a free checklist that you can use to ensure you’re handling all the tasks you need to complete after someone has passed away.Use the checklist
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Post-death logistics
Last updated July 7, 2022
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