This number is primarily used to track an individual’s income, taxes, career history, and access to banking and credit services. It remains associated with the citizen from birth until death and. In the US, it consists of nine digits divided into three parts, each with its own meaning and purpose. The first part of the SSN previously indicated the place of residence, but this practice was later discontinued. Therefore, the identification number serves as a record of the individual regardless of any name changes or modifications.. For example, the US Vice President’s birth name was James Donald Bowman, which he later changed to James David Hamel before eventually adopting the name James David Vance, often abbreviated for political purposes as J.D. Vance.
Throughout all these changes, his identification number remained unchanged. Name modifications are generally permitted only through a court order to ensure that the change is not intended to evade prosecution, legal charges, or criminal responsibility. Last April, Kuwait issued a law regulating procedures related to lineage claims and name corrections. The law represents a significant legislative and regulatory step for developing the legal framework for protecting lineage and names, while strengthening the controls governing these matters in a way that safeguards personal and family identity and supports social stability. There is no justification for excessive restrictions in this area, as it relates to personal freedom, provided that a strong security system is in place to ensure the identification of individuals through a unique and specific number. However, the identification number is not currently fully reliable, despite its use alongside the civil ID number, as it competes with other identifiers such as the passport number, which differs from it, the driver’s license number, the nationality number, and the serial number printed on the back of the civil ID card.
Therefore, intervention is needed to eliminate this somewhat confusing multiplicity and adopt a single number for all official documents. Determining a person’s true identity has become relatively easy, and the risks associated with similar names or name changes are no longer significant, especially with advancements in DNA testing, biometric identification, and iris scanning. The new law has introduced stricter regulations for requests to change names or surnames, limiting them to specific cases following a significant increase in such requests. These regulations are necessary to provide relevant authorities with clear guidelines to prevent the manipulation of names and lineage, ensure the seriousness of such requests, and protect the related legal and social considerations. It is also essential to adopt modern scientific methods, such as DNA testing, in matters related to lineage, while establishing more precise procedures and fees and criminalizing the submission of false information to concerned authorities. These measures would enhance the accuracy of evidence and prevent the misuse of legal procedures.
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