What does a DMF result include, and how current is the data?

A Death Master File (DMF) search checks a person’s name and Social Security number against the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File. The SSN is required and must be the full nine digits.

The response returns a hit count and, for each matching record:

• Name and SSN as recorded on the file

• Date of death, with a precision flag indicating whether the day is known or only the month

• Date of birth, with the same precision flag

• State and ZIP code of last residence

A count of zero means no record on the file matched the name and SSN. There is no partial or inconclusive result. A DMFSearch.completed webhook fires when the search finishes.

How current the data is. Each search is run live at the time you submit it against the most recent release of the file. The SSA publishes updates to the Death Master File weekly, normally on Saturdays.