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HD 1955

An Act relative to social security numbers on death certificates

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rob Consalvo

Massachusetts bill removes Social Security numbers from death certificates to reduce identity theft and fraud targeting deceased individuals and their estates.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 1955

Legislative bill overview

HD 1955 would restrict the inclusion of Social Security numbers on Massachusetts death certificates. Currently, SSNs may be recorded on these documents, which become part of public vital records. The bill aims to remove this sensitive personal identifier from death certificates to reduce identity theft and fraud risks.

Why is this important

Death certificates are frequently requested by family members, creditors, and other parties, making them widely distributed documents. Since SSNs are a primary tool for identity theft, removing them from publicly accessible records could meaningfully reduce fraud targeting deceased individuals and their estates. This is particularly relevant as identity theft of the deceased has become an increasingly common form of fraud.

Potential points of contention

  • Administrative burden: Removing SSNs may complicate verification processes for legitimate requests (insurance claims, Social Security Administration benefits, estate administration) that currently rely on this identifier for matching records.
  • Existing alternatives: Critics may argue other identification numbers or methods already serve the verification purpose, making SSN removal redundant rather than solving a genuine problem.
  • Incomplete protection: Removing SSNs from certificates doesn't prevent identity theft if SSNs are obtained through other means (hacking databases, prior records), potentially providing false sense of security.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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