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 2020 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. 

Fee Required: $155 for a search of one census for one person only. Personal checks and money orders accepted. No credit cards.

Years Searched: 1910 through 2020.

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 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020.

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 $50.00 fee required. To receive results within 1-3 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. 

• This form cannot be submitted online, however, you can choose to fill it out online and print it before mailing it in. Let’s take a look at that form. The first two pages give detailed, line-by-line instructions on how to complete the form. On the 3rd page, fill out the name of the applicant and the applicant’s current mailing address. Fill in the full name of the person whose record is being searched, as well as some detailed identifying information that will help the Census Bureau researchers locate the record.
• Fill in the kind of service requested, and fee. The $155 nonrefundable fee – payable by check or money order – covers a search for one person in one census year. If the record is located it will include: the person’s name, relationship to the head of the household, age at the time of the census, and state of birth and citizenship status if that information was collected in the census year chosen. For years prior to 1960, you can obtain additional census information about the person that was collected at the time, such as occupation and income.
• There is an additional charge of $10.00 to gather the extra information. Census forms have changed over time so not all information is available for all census years. The normal processing time for a census record search is about 3 to 4 weeks after receipt. If you need the record in a week or less you can expedite the process for an additional fee, following the directions on the form. On the 4th page, you’ll need to select the census you wish to search. The census is conducted every 10 years in the year ending with “zero.” For an age search, you should select the earliest census year in which you appear.
• For example, if you were born in 1935, choose the 1940 Census. Prior to 1970, all census records were recorded by hand, by census takers who went door-to-door, neighborhood-by-neighborhood. That’s why it’s important you provide accurate address information for the person whose record is being searched. The form also provides directions on how to describe the location of rural residences without traditional street addresses and even includes space to draw a local map. Once it’s complete, mail your application to the address listed at the bottom of the form along with a check or money order for the service you are requesting.
• If you need help filling out this application, please call 812–218–3046 Monday through Friday. We’ll return voice messages within one business day. The U.S. Census Bureau – Measuring America – People and Economy.