https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110210305
RM 10210.305 Reviewing a Birth
Certificate Birth Area Code
A. Information about the birth area code
Since 1948, most State registrars use a uniform numbering system.
Birth certificates (BCs) issued by the States generally include an 11-digit number in a xxx xx xxxxxx format. The number begins with a 3-digit birth area
code number followed by a 2-digit year of registration (almost always the year of birth) and lastly a 6-digit serial registration number (assigned
sequentially to each birth as it is filed).
B. Procedure for reviewing the birth area code
Follow this procedure in conjunction with RM
10210.210, Reviewing Age, Identity, Citizenship and Lawful Alien Status Evidence for an SSN Card.
1.
Compare the 3-digit birth area code with the birth area code(s) listed below.
2.
Compare the serial registration number with the date of birth. Registration numbers issued early in the year should have a low registration
number although it would be unlikely for a birth at the end of the year to have a low registration number.
3.
Verify any BC with the issuing agency when the birth area code number does not agree with the assigned birth area code number.
Follow GN
00308.000 and/or local procedures to verify primary evidence of age with the appropriate BVS. For additional
information regarding suspect or fraudulent birth records, see RM 10210.700 and regional fraud reports.
C. List of birth area code numbers
The following list shows birth area code numbers by State. Exceptions are noted under the applicable State.
Alabama
101
Alaska
150
Arizona
102
Arkansas
103
California
104
Colorado
105
Connecticut
106
Delaware
107
District of Columbia
108
Florida
109
Georgia
110
Guam
160
Hawaii
151
Idaho
111
Illinois
112
Indiana
113
Iowa
114
Kansas
115
Kentucky
116
Louisiana
Prior to 1988, some LA BCs may begin with 119.
New Orleans used the birth area code number 117 until 7/01/74 when it merged with the
LA State system.
117
Maine
118
Maryland
Baltimore used the birth area code number 154 until the early 1970s when it merged with
the MD State system.
119
Massachusetts
Boston does not use the birth area code.
120
Michigan
121
Minnesota
122
Mississippi
123
Missouri
124
Montana
125
Nebraska
126
Nevada
127
New Hampshire
128
New Jersey
129
New Mexico
130
New York
Only New York City uses the birth area code number 156.
131
156
North Carolina
132
North Dakota
133
Ohio
134
Oklahoma
135
Oregon
136
Pennsylvania - Uses a 7-digit number. The last digit is always 0, followed by a hyphen and
the year of birth.
Puerto Rico
152
Rhode Island
138
South Carolina
139
South Dakota
140
Tennessee
141
Texas
142
Utah
143
Vermont
144
Virginia
145
Virgin Islands
153
Washington
146
West Virginia
147
Wisconsin
148
Wyoming
149