---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 5124"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "5124"
heading: "Acceptance of claimant’s statement as proof of relationship"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/5124"
units:
  - "Part IV — General Administrative Provisions"
  - "Chapter 51 — Claims, Effective Dates, and Payments"
  - "Subchapter III — Payment of Benefits"
---

# §5124. Acceptance of claimant’s statement as proof of relationship

- (a) For purposes of benefits under laws administered by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may accept the written statement of a [claimant](/usc/38/5100.md?p=1) as proof of the existence of any relationship specified in [subsection (b)](#b) for the purpose of acting on such individual’s claim for benefits.
- (b) [Subsection (a)](#a) applies to proof of the existence of any of the following relationships between a [claimant](/usc/38/5100.md?p=1) and another person:
  - (1) Marriage.
  - (2) Dissolution of a marriage.
  - (3) Birth of a [child](/usc/38/101.md?p=4-A).
  - (4) Death of any family member.
- (c) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may require the submission of documentation in support of the [claimant](/usc/38/5100.md?p=1)’s statement if—
  - (1) the [claimant](/usc/38/5100.md?p=1) does not reside within a [State](/usc/38/101.md?p=20);
  - (2) the statement on its face raises a question as to its validity;
  - (3) there is conflicting information of record; or
  - (4) there is reasonable indication, in the statement or otherwise, of fraud or misrepresentation.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 103–446, title III, § 301(a), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4657.)