20 CFR § 404.716 - Type of evidence of age to be given.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t20/s404.716"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "20 CFR § 404.716 - Type of evidence of age to be given."
title_number: 20
title_name: "Employees' Benefits"
section_number: "404.716"
section_name: "Type of evidence of age to be given."
chapter_name: "SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION"
part_number: "404"
part_name: "FEDERAL OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS AND DISABILITY INSURANCE (1950-  )"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
cfr_part: "404"
---


# 404.716 Type of evidence of age to be given.

(a) *Preferred evidence.* The best evidence of your age, if you can obtain it, is either: a birth certificate or hospital birth record recorded before age 5; or a religious record which shows your date of birth and was recorded before age 5.

(b) *Other evidence of age.* If you cannot obtain the preferred evidence of your age, you will be asked for other convincing evidence that shows your date of birth or age at a certain time such as: an original family bible or family record; school records; census records; a statement signed by the physician or midwife who was present at your birth; insurance policies; a marriage record; a passport; an employment record; a delayed birth certificate, your child's birth certificate; or an immigration or naturalization record.