Proof of age is required of almost every applicant for railroad retirement monthly benefits or Medicare coverage. Various types of acceptable proofs of age and places to secure them are listed in this chapter. Always try to secure one of the documents listed in "Best Proofs of Age." If none of these documents can be obtained, then you should submit a document listed under "Other Proofs of Age."
Older records are generally considered the best records. Try to secure evidence made at or near the time of your birth. If you have problems securing proof of your age, contact the nearest field office of the RRB. The people there will be glad to assist you. If the document submitted is not sufficient, additional evidence may be required. If so, the field office will contact you.
Any document to be used for proof of age must show the person's name, age or date of birth, and preferably, the date on which the record was established. Any document submitted as proof of age or date of birth must be based on a record that was established more than 5 years before the date on which you filed an application for an annuity or Medicare coverage with the Railroad Retirement Board. Proof of age for a child who is less than 5 years old should be based on a record made shortly after birth.
| Best Proofs of Age* |
Where to Secure |
| Civil record of birth |
Bureau of Vital Statistics in State capital of State of birth |
| Church record of birth or baptism |
Church where baptized or confirmed |
| Notification of registration of birth |
County or City Health Department of county or city of birth |
| Hospital birth record or certificate |
Hospital where born |
* Recorded before 5 years of age
If you do not have one of these records in your possession, try to obtain one. Churches usually do not destroy their records, and if there was a record of your date of birth made when you were an infant or a child, it is probably still on file at the church. Even if the church building itself is no longer in existence, the records may be available at a diocesan, state, or regional office of the denomination.
Our field offices have a complete list of addresses and fees for public birth records in the United States and in many foreign countries. Call or write the field office to find out where to write and how much to send to obtain your birth record.
If you are unable to obtain a record listed under "Best Proofs of Age", use the "Remarks" section on the application to explain what attempts were made to secure the record. If you do not have the application, use a plain sheet of paper.
Try to obtain a record made early in life; old records are generally the best records. If you have more than one of the documents previously mentioned, submit them all.
| Other Proofs of Age |
Where to Secure |
| Physician's or midwife's birth record |
Doctor or midwife attending birth |
| Bible or other family record |
Member of the family. Do not mail a Bible. If this record is being used,
the entire bible must be brought into the field office. |
| Naturalization record |
Nearest district office of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service |
| Military record |
See Proof of Military Service of this publication. |
| Immigration record |
Nearest district office of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service |
| Census age record |
Field office of the RRB will assist you. |
| Draft registration record |
Field office of the RRB will assist you. |
| Indian tribal record |
Tribal council headquarters or National Archives, Washington, D.C. 20203 |
| Passport |
If in your possession, bring to the district office of the RRB |
| School record |
School attended. Department of Public Instruction, superintendent of schools, or similar agency if the school has been closed |
| Vaccination record |
City or County Health Department |
| Insurance record |
Insurance company issuing policy |
| Labor union or fraternal record |
Secretary of local labor, fraternal, or auxiliary lodge |
| Employer's record |
Railroad or express company where employed |
Other records may be submitted if age is shown. Examples of these records are:
- marriage records and
- birth records of a child if the age of the parent is shown.