Fill Out SSA Form SSA-827 Online
Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration
Social Security Administration
Authorizes doctors and other sources to release medical and other records to the SSA for a disability claim.
Reviewed July 2026
How it works
- 1
Open the form. The official PDF loads straight into the editor, no download needed first.
- 2
Fill it out in the editor. Click anywhere to type, add checkmarks and place your signature.
- 3
Download your PDF. Save the completed form, ready to print or submit.
Form SSA-827, Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration, is the medical and records release that accompanies nearly every disability claim. It lets your doctors, hospitals, clinics, schools, employers, and other sources send your records to the SSA and its state Disability Determination Services so they can evaluate your claim.
You can complete Form SSA-827 in the Universal PDF editor and download the finished PDF for signature. Most of the form is preprinted authorization language; your part is mainly identifying information and the signature block.
What is Form SSA-827 used for
Disability decisions depend on evidence, and privacy laws prevent providers from releasing your records without written consent. The SSA-827 provides one broad authorization that covers all your sources, so the SSA does not need a separate release for every doctor or hospital.
The authorization covers your entire record from each source, including sensitive categories such as mental health, substance use treatment, and HIV or AIDS information, because examiners must see the full picture to decide a claim.
Who files Form SSA-827
Anyone applying for Social Security disability benefits or SSI based on disability signs one, and a new authorization is normally requested at each appeal level. A parent or legal guardian signs for a child's claim, and a court-appointed guardian or someone with similar legal authority can sign for an adult who cannot.
If a claimant cannot sign their name, they can sign by mark with witnesses as the form directs.
How to fill out Form SSA-827
The form is standardized, so do not alter the preprinted authorization text. Complete only the fields that identify the claimant and the signature area.
- Enter the claimant's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number at the top
- Read the WHAT, WHOSE, and WHO sections describing what may be disclosed and to whom
- Sign and date in the signature block; a parent or guardian signing for someone else indicates their relationship
- Have a witness sign where required, for example when the claimant signs with a mark
- The authorization generally remains valid for 12 months from the date you sign unless you revoke it earlier
How to submit it
Submit the signed SSA-827 with your disability application or appeal, whether you file online, by phone, by mail, or at a local office. When you apply online, the SSA still needs a signed authorization, and it will tell you how to provide it. The SSA and the state disability agency then send copies to your medical and other sources when requesting records.
Frequently asked questions
It is voluntary, but without it the SSA usually cannot collect the medical evidence needed to decide a disability claim, which can lead to a denial for insufficient evidence.
Generally 12 months from the date you sign, unless the claim ends sooner or you revoke it in writing. The SSA may ask you to sign a fresh form at later stages of your case.
All records from each source about your condition, including exams, treatment notes, test results, and education or employment records, plus sensitive categories such as mental health and substance use treatment.
Yes. You can revoke it at any time by writing to the SSA, though revocation does not undo disclosures already made and may prevent the agency from completing your claim.
A parent or legal guardian signs for a minor. For an adult who cannot sign, a court-appointed guardian or a person with similar legal authority signs, and someone who signs by mark needs witnesses.
Usually yes. Because authorizations expire and reviewers need current records, the SSA typically requests a newly signed form with a reconsideration or hearing request.
Related forms
Universal PDF is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Forms are provided from official government sources; always confirm you have the current version before filing.