When applying for loans, especially mortgages, Form SSA-89 Authorization is often required to verify your identity securely. Officially titled “Authorization for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to Release Social Security Number (SSN) Verification,” this one-page form allows lenders to confirm that your personal details—including your name, Social Security number, and date of birth—match the SSA’s records.
This verification is done through the Electronic Consent Based Social Security Number Verification (eCBSV) service, a secure online system that checks your information without exposing sensitive data like your earnings or benefits history. The SSA simply confirms whether the information matches its records, providing a “yes” or “no” response to the lender.
Signing Form SSA-89 is typically mandatory for mortgage applications and many other types of credit because it protects both you and the lender from identity theft and fraud. Refusing to sign usually results in delays or denial of the loan application.
For example, when buying a home, your lender will ask you to complete and sign Form SSA-89 as part of your application process, authorizing them to verify your Social Security number. This step reassures lenders that the applicant is legitimate and that the Social Security information provided is correct.
The form is straightforward, requesting your full legal name (matching your Social Security card), your nine-digit Social Security number, date of birth, and your signature with the date. Your signature generally grants consent that remains valid for 90 days.
Common misconceptions include the idea that lenders receive full Social Security details, which is incorrect: they only receive confirmation of matching identity information. Also, while technically optional, not signing the form will likely stop your loan process.
If the SSA verification fails due to mismatched information, such as a typo or nickname, your lender will request corrections. If discrepancies arise from the SSA’s records themselves, you must contact the SSA to update your records.
For more on related topics, see Mortgage Banker Duties and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
Sources:
- Social Security Administration eCBSV service (https://www.ssa.gov/dataexchange/eCBSV/)
- Fannie Mae SSA-89 guidance (https://www.fanniemae.com/singlefamily/ssa-89-form)
- Investopedia: What Is Form SSA-89? (https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/form-ssa-89.asp)