DCL-08-04, DCL 07-02 - Locator Codes (aka FIPS) Data Standards

DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER

DCL-08-04

DATE: February 6, 2008

TO: ALL STATE AND TRIBAL IV-D DIRECTORS

RE: DCL 07-02 - Locator Codes (aka FIPS) Data Standards

Dear Colleague:

On January 22, 2007, DCL 07-02 published locator code standards for tribal and international jurisdictions. In response to questions received, this letter contains some clarification.

The original data standards recommended the following:

Continue to use the current 5-digit Locator (FIPS) code for states.
Use a 5-character identifier for tribal and international cases.
- Uniquely identify tribal cases with “9” in the first position, 0 (zero) in the second position and follow with a 3-character tribal code defined by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, (BIA).
- Uniquely identify international cases with “8”in the first position, use 0 (zero) in the second position and follow with 3-character country code identifiers defined by the International Standards Organization (ISO). {Note: see exception for Canada}

We would like to clarify these two points:

Tribal BIA codes are alphanumeric.
See the URL: http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/ext/irg/tribalandcodes.xls
The territories of Guam (66), Puerto Rico (72), and Virgin Islands (78) should continue to use the current codes and not use the new international locator codes specified in the ISO code list. Cases with these territories continue to be classified as interstate cases for OCSE 157 reporting.
See the URL: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49alpha.htm

For your convenience, we have enclosed the coding scheme with updated examples of the use of the codes.

Please email your questions to Richard Ordowich at richard.ordowich@acf.hhs.gov.

Sincerely,

Margot Bean
Commissioner
Office of Child Support Enforcement

Enclosure

cc: Regional Program Managers
ACF Regional Administrators