38 USC § 5124 - Acceptance of claimant’s statement as proof of relationship

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t38/s5124"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "38 USC § 5124 - Acceptance of claimant’s statement as proof of relationship"
title_number: 38
title_name: "VETERANS’ BENEFITS"
section_number: "5124"
section_name: "Acceptance of claimant’s statement as proof of relationship"
chapter_number: 51
chapter_name: "CLAIMS, EFFECTIVE DATES, AND PAYMENTS"
subchapter_number: "III"
subchapter_name: "PAYMENT OF BENEFITS"
part_number: "IV"
part_name: "GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 103–446, title III, § 301(a), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4657.)"
---


# § 5124. Acceptance of claimant’s statement as proof of relationship

**(a)** For purposes of benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, the Secretary may accept the written statement of a claimant as proof of the existence of any relationship specified in subsection (b) for the purpose of acting on such individual’s claim for benefits.

**(b)** Subsection (a) applies to proof of the existence of any of the following relationships between a claimant and another person:

**(1)** Marriage.

**(2)** Dissolution of a marriage.

**(3)** Birth of a child.

**(4)** Death of any family member.

**(c)** The Secretary may require the submission of documentation in support of the claimant’s statement if—

**(1)** the claimant does not reside within a State;

**(2)** the statement on its face raises a question as to its validity;

**(3)** there is conflicting information of record; or

**(4)** there is reasonable indication, in the statement or otherwise, of fraud or misrepresentation.

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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 103–446, title III, § 301(a), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4657.)