Genealogy

The Census Bureau provides an "age search" service to the public:

We will search the confidential records from the Federal population censuses of 1910 to 2000 and issue an official transcript of the results (for a congressionally mandated fee).

NOTE: Information can be released only to the named person, his/her heirs, or legal representatives.

Individuals can use these transcripts, which may contain information on a person’s age, sex, race, State or country of birth, and relationship to the householder, as evidence to qualify for social security and other retirement benefits, in making passport applications, to prove relationship in settling estates, in genealogy research, etc., or to satisfy other situations where a birth or other certificate may be needed but is not available.

Age Search Fact Sheet

FEE REQUIRED:  $65 for a search of one census for one person only.
               Personal checks and money orders accepted.  No credit cards.

YEARS SEARCHED:  1910 through 2000.

ACCESS:        Census records with individual names are not on computer.  They are on microfilm,
               arranged according to the address at the time of the census.  Most agencies require
               the earliest census after the date of birth.

REQUIRED:      A completed BC-600 Application [PDF 57k] (Solicitud Para Busqueda De Registros Censales [PDF 365k])
               for Search of Census Records, signed by the person for whom the search is to be
               conducted.  This person may authorize the results to be sent to another
               person/agency by also completing item 3 of the application.

               Minor children - Information regarding a child who has not yet reached the legal age
                       of 18 may be obtained by written request of either parent or guardian.  A guardian
                       must provide a copy of the court order naming them as such.

               Mentally incompetent persons - Information regarding these persons may be obtained
                       upon the written request of the legal representative, supported by a copy of the
                       court order naming such legal representation.

               Deceased persons - the application must be signed by (1) a blood relative in the
                       immediate family (parent, child, brother, sister, grandparent), (2) the surviving
                       wife or husband, (3) the administrator or executor of the estate, or (4) a
                       beneficiary by will or insurance.
      

IN ALL CASES INVOLVING DECEASED PERSONS, a copy of the death certificate MUST be provided and the relationship to the deceased MUST be stated on the application. Legal representatives MUST also furnish a copy of the court order naming such legal representatives, and beneficiaries MUST furnish legal evidence of such beneficiary evidence.

RESULTS:       An official census transcript will list the person’s name, relationship to household
               head, age at the time of the census, and state of birth.  Citizenship will be provided
               if the person was foreign born.  Single items of data such as occupation for Black Lung
               cases can be provided upon request.  If a person is not found, a form will be sent with
               that information.

               Additional data on the same person (Full Schedule) - The full schedule is the complete
               one line entry of personal data recorded for that individual ONLY.  This will be furnished
               in addition to the regular transcript.  There is an additional charge of $10.00 for each
               full schedule.  They are not available for 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000.

TIME INVOLVED: The normal processing time is 3 to 4 weeks.  Cases are processed on a first in,
               first out basis.  Passport and other priority cases can be processed in a week or less.
               To expedite there is an additional $20.00 fee required.  To receive results within
               three days, the application will need to be sent by Next-Day Air via the Post Office,
               Federal Express, or private carrier and enclose a pre-paid express return envelope.
               Applications can be faxed to you.