DOC rule requires certification to access death records

The Department of Commerce wants to cut down on identity theft and tax fraud by giving people certified access to the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File. 

The Death Master File (DMF) contains over 83 million death records that have been reported to the Social Security Administration. The documents include a deceased person’s social security number, name, date of birth and date of death. 

The proposed rule will give only those who can demonstrate a legitimate interest in preventing fraud or a legitimate business purpose for the information immediate certified access to a person’s personal information within three years of their death.

The certification program is a byproduct of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, which prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from disclosing DMF information within the first three years of a person’s death unless the person requesting the information has been certified to receive the information.

To become certified, an accredited certification body, like the International Electrotechnical Commission, has to attest in writing that the person seeking the certification has the security systems and procedures in place to protect the information.

Unauthorized disclosure of DMF information carries a fine of $1,000 for each disclosure payable to the U.S. Treasury. 

The public has 30 days to comment on the proposed rule.