Form SSA-3288: Consent for Release of Information

What is Form SSA-3288?

Form SSA-3288 is how you authorize the Social Security Administration to give information or records about you to a person or organization, for example a doctor, an insurance company or an attorney. A parent or legal guardian can also use it for a minor's non-medical records, and a legal guardian for a legally incompetent adult, with proof of the relationship.

You name up to three recipients, say why you want the information released, and tick exactly what to release: verification of your Social Security number, current benefit or SSI amounts, benefit or SSI payment amounts and Medicare entitlement for a date range, medical records, or other specified records. SSA won't honor a request for 'any and all records' or 'the entire file', and won't disclose records without date ranges where the form asks for them. The consent is for one-time use unless you say otherwise, and valid for one year from the date you sign (90 days if it includes medical records).

FileIt pre-fills your name and date of birth from your vault, splits your reason across the form's two lines, checks the form's rules, and prints everything onto SSA's own PDF (04-2026 edition). It saves the finished form in your vault folder. You sign it by hand and send or bring it to your local Social Security office yourself.

Who signs: The person the records are about, or the parent or legal guardian of a minor, or the legal guardian of a legally incompetent adult.
Valid for: One-time use, for one year from signing (90 days if medical records are included).
Submit to: The subject of the record's local Social Security office, by mail or in person.
Fee: SSA may charge a fee when the purpose is unrelated to its programs.
Edition: Form SSA-3288 (04-2026) UF, OMB No. 0960-0566; discontinue prior editions

Who needs to fill out Form SSA-3288?

People whose lawyer, insurer or lender needs proof of Social Security benefits or Medicare entitlement directly from SSA.
Disability claimants whose long-term disability insurer needs SSA records.
Parents and guardians releasing a minor's non-medical records or an incompetent adult's records.

When to use Form SSA-3288

When a third party needs information or records from SSA about you and asks for your written consent.
Not for a minor child's medical records: the form says to contact a local office or SSA's toll-free number instead.
Not for detailed earnings or employment history: use Form SSA-7050-F4.
For your own benefit verification letter or Social Security Statement, the form notes you can use a my Social Security account instead.

What you need before you start

The full name, date of birth and full Social Security number of the person the records are about.
The name and address of each recipient (a phone number is optional).
The reason for the release, and the specific information and date ranges you want released.
Proof of relationship if you're signing for a minor or an incompetent adult.

What’s on Form SSA-3288

The 2026 edition has 3 pages. FileIt asks for it in 5 parts:

Subject of the recordSubject of the record (or parent / guardian)
Who SSA may release it to, and whySubject of the record (or parent / guardian)
Information to releaseSubject of the record (or parent / guardian)
Signature, address and phoneSubject of the record (or parent / guardian)
Witnesses (only if signed by mark)Subject of the record (or parent / guardian)

How to fill out Form SSA-3288, step by step

1 Subject of the record

Full name, date of birth and full Social Security number. All starred fields are required, or SSA won't honor the form.

2 Recipients

The name and address of each person or organization SSA should release the information to.

3 Reason

Why you want the information released, for example litigation, an investigation or determining eligibility for benefits. A parent or guardian explains how the release is in the person's best interest.

4 What to release

Tick at least one of items 1 to 9 and add the date ranges for items 4 to 7. Don't tick both 7 and 8. For item 9, name the specific records, such as award or denial notices, benefit applications or appeals.

5 Signature

Sign and date under the declaration, and add your address and phone. A representative gives their relationship. If you sign by mark (X), two witnesses who know you sign and give their addresses.

Common mistakes to avoid

Leaving a starred field blank, which means SSA won't honor the form.
Asking for 'any and all records' or 'the entire file'.
Ticking a date-range item without the dates.
Ticking both 7 (medical records for a period) and 8 (complete medical records).
Using it for a minor's medical records or for detailed earnings history, which need a different route.
Waiting too long: a consent that includes medical records is valid for only 90 days.

After you fill it out

Print the form, sign and date it by hand.

Send or bring it to the subject of the record's local servicing office. The instructions point to SSA's office locator at https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp to find it by ZIP code.

Include proof of relationship if you're not the subject. FileIt keeps a copy in the person's vault folder.

Fill out Form SSA-3288 online with FileIt

Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 39 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real Social Security Administration (SSA) form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault.

FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

Start Form SSA-3288 now — it’s free

Form SSA-3288: frequently asked questions

How long is an SSA-3288 valid?

Unless you specify otherwise it's for one-time use, valid for one year from the date of signature, or 90 days if it includes medical records.

Can I ask SSA to send my entire file?

No. SSA won't honor blanket requests for 'any and all records' or the 'entire file'. You must specify the information you need.

Does SSA charge for this?

The form says SSA may charge a fee if the information is for a purpose unrelated to administering a program under the Social Security Act.

Can I use SSA-3288 to get my earnings record?

No. For detailed earnings or employment history, the form says to complete Form SSA-7050-F4.

Can a parent sign for a child?

A natural or adoptive parent or legal guardian can release only the minor's non-medical records with this form, and SSA requires proof of relationship.

Where do I send it?

To the subject of the record's local Social Security office, by mail or in person.

Official sources

Blank form (PDF), published by Social Security Administration (SSA): https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-3288.pdf
Official instructions and guidance: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-3288.pdf
Edition shown on this page: Form SSA-3288 (04-2026) UF (OMB No. 0960-0566); discontinue prior editions (checked 2026-10-01).

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by Social Security Administration (SSA) or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-01.