Consent Based Social Security Number Verification (CBSV)

A Consent-Based Social Security Number Verification (CBSV) is a fee-based service offered directly through the Social Security Administration (SSA). By officially verifying whether an applicant's name, date of birth, and Social Security Number (SSN) match government records, this search provides the gold standard in identity verification.

What Does the Search Cover?

Unlike a standard SSN Trace—which pieces together an applicant's history using credit header data and public records—a CBSV search provides a definitive answer directly from the ultimate source of truth: the SSA.

Because this search pings the official SSA Master File and Death Index, the results do not return a list of past addresses or aliases. Instead, the SSA returns a simple, real-time result:

• Yes: The provided name, date of birth, and SSN are a verified match.
• No: There is a discrepancy between the provided information and the SSA's official records.
• Death Indicator: The SSN provided is registered to someone who is deceased.

How Does the Search Work?

Due to the strict privacy laws surrounding official government records, this search requires specific protocols to be followed before processing.

1. Obtain Consent: The most critical step is that the employer must obtain explicit consent directly from the applicant on an official SSA consent form (can be found in our forms library).
2. Direct Verification: Once consent is secured and the data is submitted, our system pings the official SSA Master File.
3. Result Delivery: The SSA returns the "Yes," "No," or "Death Indicator" result, which is then populated into your Verified First report.

Please note: The SSA-89 form must be signed with a pen-to-paper (wet) signature. Electronic signatures are not accepted and will cause the request to be denied.

Who Needs This Search?

While any employer can benefit from absolute certainty regarding their applicant's identity, this search is especially critical for:

• Financial institutions, banks, and mortgage lenders that are required to meet strict KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) compliance standards.
• Government contractors, defense companies, or organizations operating highly secure facilities.
• Healthcare organizations and credentialing bodies that require absolute identity verification prior to issuing licenses or system access.
• Employers experiencing high volumes of applicant fraud or ghost employees.

Why Make This Part of Your Screening Process?

• Eliminate Synthetic Identity Fraud: Identity thieves often combine a real, stolen SSN with a fake name and date of birth to create a "synthetic" identity that can pass a basic public records check. A CBSV search stops this fraud dead in its tracks by verifying all three data points simultaneously.
• Catch Stolen SSNs: The Death Indicator immediately flags bad actors attempting to gain employment using the identity of a deceased individual.
• Establish a Bulletproof Baseline: A background check is only as reliable as the identity of the person being screened. Relying on the SSA’s direct, real-time database ensures you are screening the right person from day one, mitigating immense security and compliance risks down the line.

FAQ

What do the SSA response results mean?

• Verification Successful: The name, DOB, and SSN match SSA records.
• Verification Unsuccessful: There is a discrepancy between the provided information and official records.
• Death Indicator: The SSN provided is registered to a deceased individual.
• Rejected: The form was rejected and a new form will need to be provided in order to process. 

What are the most common reasons a form is rejected? The most common reasons for a rejected form are 1) the form being electronically signed and 2) the name on the form doesn’t match the name ordered.