---
kind: "range"
citation: "20 C.F.R. §§ 404.731–404.733"
title: "20"
from: "404.731"
to: "404.733"
count: 3
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/20/404.731..404.733"
---

# §404.731. Evidence you are a natural parent or child.


If you are the natural parent of the insured person, we will ask for a copy of his or her public or religious birth record made before age 5. If you are the natural child of the insured person, we will ask for a copy of your public or religious birth record made before age 5. In either case, if this record shows the same last name for the insured and the parent or child, we will accept it as convincing evidence of the relationship. However, if other evidence raises some doubt about this record or if the record cannot be gotten, we will ask for other evidence of the relationship. We may also ask for evidence of marriage of the insured person or of his or her parent if this is needed to remove any reasonable doubt about the relationship. To show you are the child of the insured person, you may be asked for evidence you would be able to inherit his or her personal property under State law where he or she had a permanent home (see [§ 404.770](/cfr/20/404.770.md)). In addition, we may ask for the insured persons signed statement that you are his or her natural child, or for a copy of any court order showing the insured has been declared to be your natural parent or any court order requiring the insured to contribute to you support because you are his or her son or daughter.


# §404.732. Evidence you are a stepparent or stepchild.


If you are the stepparent or stepchild of the insured person, we will ask for the evidence described in [§ 404.731](/cfr/20/404.731.md) or [§ 404.733](/cfr/20/404.733.md) that which shows your natural or adoptive relationship to the insured person's husband, wife, widow, or widower. We will also ask for evidence of the husband's, wife's, widow's, or widower's marriage to the insured person—see [§ 404.725](/cfr/20/404.725.md).


# §404.733. Evidence you are the legally adopting parent or legally adopted child.


If you are the adopting parent or adopted child, we will ask for the following evidence:

- (a) A copy of the birth certificate made following the adoption; or if this cannot be gotten, other evidence of the adoption; and, if needed, evidence of the date of adoption;
- (b) If the widow or widower adopted the child after the insured person died, the evidence described in [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section; your written statement whether the insured person was living in the same household with the child when he or she died (see [§ 404.760](/cfr/20/404.760.md)); what support the child was getting from any other person or organization; and if the widow or widower had a deemed valid marriage with the insured person, evidence of that marriage—see [§ 404.727](/cfr/20/404.727.md);
- (c) If you are the insured's stepchild, grandchild, or stepgrandchild as well as his or her adopted child, we may also ask you for evidence to show how you were related to the insured before the adoption.