Search Social Security Death Records

The Death Index And Your Social Security Number
When a person dies, their Social Security Number goes into what is known as the DMF. This is a file that houses over 89 records. It is updated each week. Created from the SSA, the files made record all the deaths that have happened in the country. However, they do have to be reported to the administration. In most cases, family members, attorneys or even the mortuary makes these reports. These entities can also make updates. If nobody makes these reports, it may affect what happens to the heirs in terms of governmental benefits. There might also be errors when these reports are entered into the DMF.
Why do I have trouble seeing my Social Security Number? If your SSN is not available on the DMF, it is due to the fact that the Ancestry website did not offer this information for the SSA. It does not provide this information for anyone that has been dead over the past ten years.
The following items are what can be included in the DMF file (assuming that all of this information is available):
• The Last Name of the Deceased Person
• The First Name of the Deceased Person
• His or Her Social Security Number
• The State in Which the Death Record was Issued
• The Birth Date of the Deceased Person
• His or Her Date of Death
• The Residence the Deceased Last Lived in
• What Payments Were Made on Behalf of the Deceased
Just because there is not a record in the DMF does not mean a person is dead. In addition, there is the possibility that there are a large amount of incorrect records entered into the DMF. The SSA cannot guarantee if a file is accurate.
Tips for Searching the DMF
When searching through the DMF files, you should be very specific in what you look for. A large query could involve looking through hundreds of public records. If you have trouble finding what you need, consider trying the following:
• Change the dates around
• Change the years around (for example, search 1984 instead of 1948)
• Use different spellings of a name
• Switch the first and last names around
• Conduct a search where the middle name becomes a first name
• Even if you feel you know the information, consider omitting it to make your search easier