Social Security Numbers

Finding Social Security Numbers

An attorney may need a Social Security number for a legitimate purpose. For example, courts or agencies may require it on documents. Social Security numbers are useful in finding other information. If you can search by Social Security number, it eliminates the problem of fishing through information concerning people with the same name. With the rampant problem of identity theft, however, many databases have removed Social Security information, or offer only partial Social Security numbers.

Lexis, Westlaw, Open Online, Accurint and KnowX removed social security numbers from many databases. Lexis Smartlinx, Accurint and KnowX provide a partial social security number, masking the last four digits. Lexis and Open Online allow authorized users to get a certain type of account where social security numbers are available. These accounts require a rigorous screening process.

The last 4 digits are the least easily determined part. The first three numbers are an area code, and usually represent the state of issue, the second two numbers are a group number. Some people find social security numbers by using two databases, one which gives the first digits (Lexis), and one which gives the last digits (possibly Pacer).

You may find Social Security numbers in divorce or other court documents, or UCC filings. They may also appear on professional licensing records. However, authorities such as Ohio Secretary of State and the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court have recently removed documents containing Social Security numbers from the Web.

Verifying Social Security Numbers

There are several free Social Security number verifiers on the web, including:

Carnegie Mellon Social Security Number Watch tells whether a Social Security Number is valid, the state and the date of issue. A similar web site is the Social Security Number Validator, which will also tell you whether there is a related death record.
Social Security Number Verification: is run by the Social Security Administration and requires registration. “While the service is available to all employers and third-party submitters, it can only be used to verify current or former employees and only for wage reporting (Form W-2) purposes.”