POMS Reference

RM 10210: SSN Evidence Requirements

TN 8 (08-10)

A. Information about the birth area code

Since 1948, most State registrars use a uniform numbering system.

Birth certificates (BCs) issued by the States generally include an 11-digit number in a xxx xx xxxxxx format. The number begins with a 3-digit birth area code number followed by a 2-digit year of registration (almost always the year of birth) and lastly a 6-digit serial registration number (assigned sequentially to each birth as it is filed).

B. Procedure for reviewing the birth area code

Follow this procedure in conjunction with RM 10210.210, Reviewing Age, Identity, Citizenship and Lawful Alien Status Evidence for an SSN Card.

  1. Compare the 3-digit birth area code with the birth area code(s) listed below.

  2. Compare the serial registration number with the date of birth. Registration numbers issued early in the year should have a low registration number although it would be unlikely for a birth at the end of the year to have a low registration number.

  3. Verify any BC with the issuing agency when the birth area code number does not agree with the assigned birth area code number. Follow GN 00308.000 and/or local procedures to verify primary evidence of age with the appropriate BVS. For additional information regarding suspect or fraudulent birth records, see RM 10210.700 and regional fraud reports.

C. List of birth area code numbers

The following list shows birth area code numbers by State. Exceptions are noted under the applicable State.

Alabama

101

Alaska

150

Arizona

102

Arkansas

103

California

104

Colorado

105

Connecticut

106

Delaware

107

District of Columbia

108

Florida

109

Georgia

110

Guam

160

Hawaii

151

Idaho

111

Illinois

112

Indiana

113

Iowa

114

Kansas

115

Kentucky

116

Louisiana

Prior to 1988, some LA BCs may begin with 119.

New Orleans used the birth area code number 117 until 7/01/74 when it merged with the LA State system.

117

Maine

118

Maryland

Baltimore used the birth area code number 154 until the early 1970s when it merged with the MD State system.

119

Massachusetts

Boston does not use the birth area code.

120

Michigan

121

Minnesota

122

Mississippi

123

Missouri

124

Montana

125

Nebraska

126

Nevada

127

New Hampshire

128

New Jersey

129

New Mexico

130

New York

Only New York City uses the birth area code number 156.

131

156

North Carolina

132

North Dakota

133

Ohio

134

Oklahoma

135

Oregon

136

Pennsylvania - Uses a 7-digit number. The last digit is always 0, followed by a hyphen and the year of birth.

 

Puerto Rico

152

Rhode Island

138

South Carolina

139

South Dakota

140

Tennessee

141

Texas

142

Utah

143

Vermont

144

Virginia

145

Virgin Islands

153

Washington

146

West Virginia

147

Wisconsin

148

Wyoming

149