---
title: SSA-3288 Customer-Assembly Preparation Kit
description: Prepare SSA-3288 online and receive an unsigned printed kit for your own final review, hand-signing, assembly, and submission.
seotitle: SSA-3288 Customer-Assembly Preparation Kit
seo-description: Prepare SSA-3288 online and receive an unsigned printed kit for your own final review, hand-signing, assembly, and submission.
group: resources
indexable: true
llms: false
schema: webpage
og-image: /forms/ssa-3288/thumbnail
og-image-alt: SSA-3288 — Consent for Release of Information generated form preview
published: 2026-07-12
updated: 2026-07-12
tags:
  - social security
  - ssa
  - records request
  - privacy
path: /forms/ssa-3288
---
# SSA-3288 Customer-Assembly Preparation Kit

Prepare SSA-3288 online and receive an unsigned printed kit for your own final review, hand-signing, assembly, and submission.

## How it works
1. **Answer the guided questions and review the prepared form information.** - 
2. **PostalForm prints the official form with signature areas left blank and sends the customer-assembly kit only to your verified address.** - 
3. **After delivery, follow the cover instructions, hand-sign where required, and add every original, certified record, payment, witness, certification, companion form, or other physical item.** - 
4. **Verify the current deadline and destination, then personally complete final submission through the official channel.** -


## Form summary
This workflow helps you prepare an SSA-3288 consent for release of Social Security records. PostalForm prepares the official form and delivers the unsigned preparation kit only to your verified address. PostalForm does not file, serve, or submit it. Specify the records and recipient, hand-sign and date the paper consent in ink, add any required authority evidence, and submit it to the SSA office holding the records yourself, or use SSA’s official online consent process instead.

## What you need
- Name, date of birth, and Social Security number of the person the records are about
- Name and full address of the person or organization receiving the records
- A specific reason for the release
- Which records to release — with date ranges for benefit, Medicare, and medical-record requests
- Signature and date; proof of relationship if a parent or legal guardian signs
- Hand-sign the printed form after the preparation kit is delivered
- Proof of relationship (only if a parent or guardian signs) (optional) — Required when the signer isn’t the subject of the record: add a copy of the birth certificate, guardianship order, or similar proof to the customer kit before final submission.

## Data collected
- Name, date of birth, and SSN of the person the records are about
- Name, address, and phone of the person or organization receiving the records
- The reason for the release
- Which records to release, with date ranges where applicable
- Signer contact details, relationship, and authority; signature, date, and any X-mark witness fields remain blank

## Where it gets mailed
PostalForm mails the unsigned preparation kit only to the customer or authorized signer at the verified delivery address entered during checkout.

Final submission: Specify the records and recipient, hand-sign and date the paper consent in ink, add any required authority evidence, and submit it to the SSA office holding the records yourself, or use SSA’s official online consent process instead.

## Packet order
- Customer assembly instruction cover (remove and keep before final submission)
- Prepared unsigned form (signature and reserved third-party fields blank)
- Printed reference attachments

## Common mistakes
- Asking for “any and all records” — SSA rejects blanket requests; you must name the records.
- Skipping the date ranges on benefit-history, Medicare, or medical-record boxes; SSA won’t disclose without them.
- Checking both medical-records boxes (date range AND complete records) — the form says to pick one.
- Letting the consent go stale: it must reach SSA within 1 year of signing, or 90 days when medical records are included.
- Using the SSA-3288 for earnings or employment history — that’s Form SSA-7050-F4 — or for a minor child’s medical records, which requires the local office.
- Mailing it to SSA headquarters instead of the record subject’s local servicing office.

## Agent summary
Customer-assembly workflow for SSA-3288. It prepares the form and sends an unsigned kit only to the customer. It must never be represented as direct filing, service, or agency submission. Final customer action: Specify the records and recipient, hand-sign and date the paper consent in ink, add any required authority evidence, and submit it to the SSA office holding the records yourself, or use SSA’s official online consent process instead.

## For assistants
This is a human-only customer-assembly workflow and is not available for automated or machine ordering.

- PostalForm delivers an unsigned preparation kit only to the customer or authorized signer.
- The customer must remove and keep the PostalForm cover, complete every physical signature, enclosure, certification, and final-submission step, and verify the current deadline and destination.

## LLM field schema
```json
[
  {
    "id": "full_name",
    "label": "Full name of the person the records are about",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "name",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-1-subject",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "date_of_birth",
    "label": "Their date of birth",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "date",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "step-1-subject",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "ssn",
    "label": "Their Social Security number",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "ssn",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "step-1-subject",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "recipient_1_name",
    "label": "Who should SSA release the information to? (person or organization)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-2-recipient",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "recipient_2_name",
    "label": "Attention line or name continued (optional)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-2-recipient",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "recipient_3_name",
    "label": "Additional name line (optional)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-2-recipient",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "recipient_1_address",
    "label": "Recipient’s street address",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-2-recipient",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "recipient_2_address",
    "label": "Recipient’s city, state, and ZIP",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-2-recipient",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "recipient_3_address",
    "label": "Recipient’s phone number (optional)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-2-recipient",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_reason_1",
    "label": "Why should SSA release this information?",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_reason_2",
    "label": "Reason continued (optional)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_verification_of_social_security_number",
    "label": "Verification of the Social Security number",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "multi_select",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_current_monthly_social_security_benefit_amount",
    "label": "Current monthly Social Security benefit amount",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "multi_select",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_current_monthly_supplemental_security_income_payment_amount",
    "label": "Current monthly SSI payment amount",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "multi_select",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_social_security_benefit_amounts_date_range",
    "label": "Social Security benefit amounts for a date range",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "multi_select",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_supplemental_security_income_payment_amounts_date_range",
    "label": "SSI payment amounts for a date range",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "multi_select",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_medicare_entitlement_date_range",
    "label": "Medicare entitlement for a date range",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "multi_select",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_medical_records_date_range",
    "label": "Medical records for a date range",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "multi_select",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_complete_medical_records",
    "label": "Complete medical records",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "multi_select",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_other_social_security_records_specify",
    "label": "Other Social Security records (describe below)",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "multi_select",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_4_from_date",
    "label": "Benefit amounts — from date",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "date",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "release_social_security_benefit_amounts_date_range",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_4_to_date",
    "label": "Benefit amounts — to date",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "date",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "release_social_security_benefit_amounts_date_range",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_5_from_date",
    "label": "SSI payment amounts — from date",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "date",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "release_supplemental_security_income_payment_amounts_date_range",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_5_to_date",
    "label": "SSI payment amounts — to date",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "date",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "release_supplemental_security_income_payment_amounts_date_range",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_6_from_date",
    "label": "Medicare entitlement — from date",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "date",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "release_medicare_entitlement_date_range",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_6_to_date",
    "label": "Medicare entitlement — to date",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "date",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "release_medicare_entitlement_date_range",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_7_from_date",
    "label": "Medical records — from date",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "date",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "release_medical_records_date_range",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "release_7_to_date",
    "label": "Medical records — to date",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "date",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "release_medical_records_date_range",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "other_records_1",
    "label": "Which other records? Be specific",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "release_other_social_security_records_specify",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "other_records_2",
    "label": "Other records continued (optional)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-3-request",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "release_other_social_security_records_specify",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "signing_for_someone_else",
    "label": "Are you signing for someone else, as their parent or legal guardian?",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": "yes_no",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-4-signature",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "signer_relationship",
    "label": "Your relationship to the person",
    "type": "text",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-4-signature",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "signing_for_someone_else",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "signer_relationship_phone",
    "label": "Your daytime phone",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "phone",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "step-4-signature",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": {
      "fieldId": "signing_for_someone_else",
      "operator": "truthy"
    },
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "signature_drawn",
    "label": "Signature",
    "type": "signature",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-4-signature",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "signature",
    "label": "Signature",
    "type": "signature",
    "required": true,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-4-signature",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "signature_date",
    "label": "Date signed",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "date",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "step-4-signature",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "signer_address",
    "label": "Your mailing address (optional, recommended)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "address",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-4-signature",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "signer_phone",
    "label": "Daytime phone (optional)",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "phone",
    "ui_width": "half",
    "group_id": "step-4-signature",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "signed_by_mark",
    "label": "The signer can only make an X mark instead of a signature",
    "type": "checkbox",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": "plain_checkbox",
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-4-signature",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "witness_1_signature",
    "label": "Witness 1 signature",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-5-witnesses",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "witness_1_address",
    "label": "Witness 1 — full address",
    "type": "textarea",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-5-witnesses",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "witness_2_signature",
    "label": "Witness 2 signature",
    "type": "text",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-5-witnesses",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  },
  {
    "id": "witness_2_address",
    "label": "Witness 2 — full address",
    "type": "textarea",
    "required": false,
    "meta_class": null,
    "ui_width": null,
    "group_id": "step-5-witnesses",
    "choice_group": null,
    "choice_label": null,
    "visibility": null,
    "compound_subfields": null
  }
]
```

## Sources
- [SSA field office locator (ICON)](https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp)
- [SSA Privacy Program — consent-based requests and the SSA-3288-OP1](https://www.ssa.gov/privacy/submit_privacy_act_request.html)
- [my Social Security — benefit verification letter](https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/)
- [Official instructions](https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0203305003)
- [Official PDF](https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-3288.pdf)

## Last verified
2026-07-12


## FAQs
- **Where do I send Form SSA-3288?** To the local Social Security office that serves the person the records are about. The form’s instructions say to find it with SSA’s office locator (secure.ssa.gov/ICON) using that person’s ZIP code.
- **Does SSA charge a fee to release my records?** Releases connected to a Social Security program are free. For non-program purposes — some legal, insurance, or business uses — SSA may charge a fee, and detailed earnings histories are handled on Form SSA-7050-F4 with its own fee schedule.
- **How long is the consent valid?** SSA must receive it within one year of the date you sign — within 90 days if you’re releasing medical records. Each form covers a single release; ongoing disclosures need a new copy each time.
- **Is there a faster way to prove my benefit amount?** Usually yes — a free benefit verification letter downloads instantly from a my Social Security account, with no consent form needed. Use the SSA-3288 when a third party must receive records directly from SSA.
- **Can I use SSA-3288 for my child’s records or my earnings history?** A parent or guardian can release a minor’s NON-medical records with this form (with proof of relationship). A minor’s medical records require the local office, and earnings or employment history requires Form SSA-7050-F4.


## Related
- [Form SS-5 — Application for a Social Security Card](/forms/ss-5)
- [SSA-1696 — Appointment of Representative (Social Security)](/forms/ssa-1696)
- [Form SSA-44 — Medicare IRMAA Reduction Request (Life-Changing Event)](/forms/ssa-44)
- [SSA-7008 — Request for Correction of Earnings Record](/forms/ssa-7008)
- [SSA-795 — Statement of Claimant or Other Person](/forms/ssa-795)
- [SSA-827 — Authorization to Disclose Information to SSA](/forms/ssa-827)