You asked if there is a federal law similar to CGS § 4a-78 that requires an individual to provide a Social Security number in specific circumstances and, if so, what the law says.

CONNECTICUT LAW

CGS § 4a-78 requires an individual to provide his Social Security number (SSN) when (1) applying for a license, (2) selling goods or services, (3) leasing real or personal property to a public agency, or (4) registering a motor vehicle with the commissioner of motor vehicles after October 1, 2001.

FEDERAL LAW

There are a number of federal laws that require an individual to provide a SSN. The most similar law to CGS § 4a-78 is 42 USC § 666(a)(13), which lists several procedures every state must have to improve the effectiveness of child support enforcement. It requires that a SSN be provided on:

1. any application for a professional license, driver's license, occupational license, recreational license, or marriage license;

2. any records relating to the matter of an individual who is subject to a divorce decree, support order, or paternity determination or acknowledgment; and

3. the death certificate and other records relating to a person who has died.

Other federal statutes requiring individuals to provide a SSN include the following:

1. A state or state agency may require SSNs to administer any tax, general public assistance, driver's license, or motor vehicle registration under its jurisdiction (42 USC § 405(c)(2)(c)(i)).

2. Persons required to file a return, statement, or other document with the Internal Revenue Service must provide their SSN along with the SSN of any dependents (26 USC § 6109 (a)).

3. A state must require both parents to provide SSNs for the issuance of a SSN, birth certificate, or both, for a child below the age of 18, unless the state can provide good cause for not requiring this (42 USC § 405(c)(2)(B)(ii) and (C)(ii)).

4. For a child to be eligible for a free or reduced price school lunch, the SSN of a parent or guardian must be provided to the secretary of state (42 USC §1758(d)).

5. Every member of a household must supply his or her SSN to the secretary of state to be eligible for the food stamp program (7 USC § 2025(e)).

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