The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) is a database of people whose deaths were reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA) beginning about 1962. A small number of deaths are listed before 1962. It was created from the Social Security Administration's Death Master File. You will not find everyone who died from 1962 to the present, but it does list many deaths in that time frame, especially in more recent years (particularly from the late 1980s to the present). It is close to being a national death index for the United States. If you find someone listed in the Social Security Death Index you can order a copy of the form they filled out when they applied for a Social Security Card (SS-5 form). This form usually has more information about the person such as date and place of birth, and names of parents.
