Hi Everyone, I found the answer to the question I put on the list myself. A lot of people seemed interested. Yes, you can still request an SS 5 even if the person does not show up on the SS Death Index. I found the following through Ancestry.com. Carol Not everyone who has, or has had, a Social Security card will appear on the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). Many enrolled persons are not listed either because their death was not reported to the SSA or they are still living. If you haven't found your deceased ancestor on the SSDI, but he or she was likely enrolled with the Social Security system, it may still be possible to get a photocopy of his or her original SS-5. To request this information, you will need to send the name and Social Security number of the person you're researching. You might be able to locate the person's Social Security number in the following places: personal papers death certificate funeral home records records held by financial institutions voter registration rolls at county courthouse former employers of the individual If those sources don't produce the number, you may request a "records search" with the Social Security Administration. To request this service you must send $16.50 and provide the following information: full name, state of birth, and date of birth to: Freedom of Information Officer 4-H-8 Annex Building 6401 Security Boulevard Baltimore, Maryland 21235 Providing names of parents are also helpful, especially with common surnames. Be sure also to provide proof of death, as the records of living individuals are not publicly available.