Personal Census Search (11.006)

 

Program

11.006 Personal Census Search

 

Federal Agency

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 

Authorization

Act of August 31, 1954, Public Law 83-740, 13 U.S.C. 8.

 

Program Number

11.006

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To retrieve personal information from decennial records and provide an official census transcript to qualified individuals for proof of age, citizenship, family relationships, or satisfy other situations where a birth certificate is required but not available.

 

Types of Assistance

Provision of Specialized Services.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Information on age or citizenship may be required: (1) To qualify for government programs (such as Medicare, Social Security retirement, old age benefits, or other pensions); (2) as proof of citizenship when required (for example, in obtaining a passport); (3) when needed for employment purposes; (4) to qualify for rights of inheritance as a beneficiary; and (5) as a generally acceptable proof of age or relationship for annuities, other rights, or benefits to which one may be entitled. A fee is required for each age search application, whether the applicant's record is found or is not found.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Personal information from census records are confidential and may be furnished only upon written request of the persons to whom it relates or, for a proper purpose, to a legal representative of an estate. Information regarding a child who has not reached legal age may be obtained upon the written request of either parent. For records of a deceased person, application must be signed by: (1) A blood relative in the immediate family; (2) the surviving wife or husband; (3) a beneficiary; or (4) the administrator or executor of the estate. In all such cases, a certified copy of the death certificate must be furnished as well as a certified copy of the court order naming the legal representative or legal evidence of the beneficiary's relationship.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Personal information from census records are confidential and may be furnished only upon written request of the persons to whom it relates or, for a proper purpose, to a legal representative of an estate. Information regarding a child who has not reached legal age may be obtained upon the written request of either parent. For records of a deceased person, application must be signed by: (1) A blood relative in the immediate family; (2) the surviving wife or husband; (3) a beneficiary; or (4) the administrator or executor of the estate. In all such cases, a certified copy of the death certificate must be furnished as well as a certified copy of the court order naming the legal representative or legal evidence of the beneficiary's relationship.

Credentials/Documentation

A certified copy of the death certificate must be furnished as well as a certified copy of the court order naming the legal representative or legal evidence of the beneficiary's relationship.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

Application form (BC-600) can be obtained by request. When a personal census search is made, a $40.00 fee is charged for the cost of making the search, verifying the results, and furnishing a transcript.

Award Procedure

Not applicable.

Deadlines

Not applicable.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

Not applicable.

Renewals

Not applicable.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Not applicable.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

None.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

None.

 

Program Accomplishments

In fiscal year 2002, approximately 5,000 requests were processed.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

13-4512-0-1-376.

Obligations

FY 02 $189,000; FY 03 est $213,000; and FY 04 est $180,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Not applicable.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

"Age Search Information" of Census Records," BC-600, no charge.

 

Related Programs

None.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Jean Ann Banet, Technical Services Supervisor, Personal Census Search Unit, U. S. Census Bureau, P.O. Box 1545, Jeffersonville, IN 47131. Telephone: (812) 218-3046.

Headquarters Office

None.

Web Site Address

http://www.census.gov/genealogy

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Not applicable.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not applicable.