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Social Security number requirement begins Aug. 1Minnesotans will need to provide their Social Security number to purchase a Minnesota hunting or fishing license beginning Aug. 1. Recent legislation requires the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to collect a customerís Social Security number as part of an application for a non-commercial game and fish license. This legislation was passed to meet the federal requirements of the 1996 Welfare Reform Act, which assists states in enforcement of child support programs. Tom Keefe, DNR Electronic Licensing System program manager, said that the requirement will be implemented when the fall deer licenses go on sale Aug. 1. The requirement to provide a Social Security number is for all game and fish licenses and all customers regardless of age. ìThe DNR understands that customers will have concerns with this requirement and has taken several steps to reduce customer concerns and still meet the federal requirements for collection of the customerís Social Security number,î Keefe said. Those steps: In addition, the DNR is incorporating existing Social Security number records from the Minnesota Driverís License file to its Electronic Licensing System database in an effort to reduce the need for customers to provide a Social Security number at the time of purchase. ìOnce we have a Social Security number on the customer's file, they will not be asked for it again,î Keefe said. ìBy adding the existing driverís license data, we anticipate the majority of our resident customers will never be asked for a Social Security number.î Remaining residents, and all non-residents or young customers without a driverís license will, however, have to provide a Social Security number as part of the license transaction. Customers who have a Social Security number but fail to provide it will be denied a hunting and fishing license. Residents of the United States who have not had a Social Security number issued to them must complete a certification form prior to purchasing a license. These customers may contact the DNR for further information about this certification form. ©ECM Post Review |