What to Bring to Your Social Security Office Visit

The rule that applies to every visit

Across every service Social Security offers, one rule holds no matter what you're applying for: documents must be original, or copies certified by the agency that issued them — SSA cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies, and every document must be current and unexpired. A single document can sometimes cover more than one requirement at once; a U.S. passport, for example, can serve as proof of both citizenship and identity in the same visit. Knowing this rule before you go is often the difference between finishing your visit in one trip and being asked to come back with something else.

Applying for or replacing a Social Security card

For an original, replacement, or corrected Social Security card, SSA needs proof of your identity — a U.S. driver's license, state-issued non-driver ID, or U.S. passport are preferred; without one of those, they'll accept an employee ID, school ID, health insurance card (not Medicare), or military ID instead, as long as it's current and shows your name and age or date of birth. Proof of citizenship is only required if you haven't already established it with SSA in a prior application; acceptable documents include a U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. If you're requesting a corrected card after a name change, bring the document proving that change too — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Applying for SSI

An SSI application asks for a broader set of documents, since eligibility depends on both your identity and your finances. Beyond proof of age and citizenship or noncitizen status, be ready to show proof of income — pay stubs, or a tax return if you're self-employed — and proof of resources, including bank statements for every checking and savings account, and records for any property, life insurance, or burial contracts you hold. SSA notes you won't necessarily need everything on the full list, and staff can sometimes help you get a document you're missing.

Applying for retirement benefits

A retirement application draws on a mix of identity documents and work history. Bring your Social Security card or a record of your number, your original birth certificate (or a certified copy) as proof of age, and — if you weren't born in the U.S. — proof of citizenship or lawful status. You'll also want a copy of last year's W-2 or self-employment tax return (a photocopy is fine for this one), and if you served in the military before 1968, a copy of your service papers. Separately, have your marital history on hand — names, Social Security numbers, and dates of marriage or divorce for a current or former spouse — along with your bank's routing and account number for direct deposit.

If you're missing a document

Don't let a missing document stop you from starting. SSA is explicit that you shouldn't delay applying just because your paperwork isn't complete — you can provide missing items later, and in many cases your local field office can contact your state's Bureau of Vital Statistics directly to verify information like a birth record at no cost to you. Delaying an application to track down a document can end up costing you benefits you're otherwise due, since some aren't payable retroactively past a certain point.

Bring the right paperwork the first time

Because the exact list depends on your citizenship status, the specific service you need, and whether SSA already has some of this on file from a past application, the fastest way to confirm exactly what to bring is to call your local field office before your visit. Find your nearest Social Security office, its phone number, and its hours on this site to confirm your documents ahead of time.

Most commonly required documents

• Photo ID: driver's license, state ID, or U.S. passport
• Proof of citizenship or immigration status (if not already on file)
• Proof of age: birth certificate or certified copy
• Recent W-2 or self-employment tax return (retirement applications)
• Bank statements and income records (SSI applications)
• Bank routing and account number for direct deposit