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Age Search Service

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 2010 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.

For questions regarding the age search service, please contact the National Processing Center at (812) 218-3046. Their fax number is (812) 218-3371.

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 2010.

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 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.

State of birth and citizenship is only available in census records from 1910 to 1950.

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.

Page Last Revised - August 28, 2023
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