Documents you need before you file

To file for Social Security, you will need to bring or have available your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and your Social Security card (or a record of your number). You will also need a photo ID issued by a government agency — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. If you were married before, bring divorce papers or a death certificate for each previous spouse.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will also ask about your work history. You do not need to bring old pay stubs, but having a rough list of employers and the years you worked for them speeds things up. If you worked under a different name at any point, bring documentation of the name change.

If you are filing for benefits based on someone else's record — as a spouse, ex-spouse, or adult child — you will need documents proving that relationship. A marriage certificate works for a spouse. For an ex-spouse, you need the divorce decree. For an adult child, a birth certificate showing the parent's name.

Key Takeaways

  • Bring your birth certificate, Social Security card, government-issued photo ID, and proof of citizenship or legal residency to your appointment or have them ready if you file online.
  • If you were married before, bring divorce decrees or death certificates for each previous marriage.
  • You do not need original pay stubs, but a list of employers and years worked helps the SSA verify your earnings record.
  • If you are filing as a spouse or ex-spouse, bring a marriage certificate or divorce decree; if filing as an adult child, bring a birth certificate.
  • The SSA can often verify documents electronically now, so you may not need to bring originals in person.

Where to file and what to bring in person

You can file at your local Social Security office, by mail, by phone, or online at ssa.gov. If you go in person, bring the original documents or certified copies. The SSA can photograph them at the office, so you do not have to leave originals behind. If you cannot get to an office, you can mail copies — certified copies are safer than photocopies because they carry an official seal.

To find your local office, go to ssa.gov/locator or call 1-800-772-1213. Many offices now require you to make an appointment rather than walk in. During the appointment, a representative will review your documents, ask questions about your work history and family, and explain what benefits you may receive.

Proof of citizenship or legal residency

U.S. citizens can show a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers. If you were born outside the United States, a U.S. passport is the easiest proof. Non-citizens who are lawfully present in the U.S. can file for Social Security using a green card, visa, or employment authorization document (EAD). The SSA will verify your status with the Department of Homeland Security.

If your birth certificate is lost, you can order a replacement from the vital records office in the state or country where you were born. This usually takes one to two weeks. If you do not have a passport and cannot get one quickly, bring whatever citizenship or residency document you have — the SSA representative can often help you figure out what else is needed.

Earnings records and work history

The SSA has a record of your earnings based on the taxes you and your employers paid. You do not have to prove your work history with documents, but you should be ready to list employers, job titles, and the years you worked. If you were self-employed, have a rough idea of the years and the type of work.

Before you file, you can check your earnings record online at ssa.gov/myaccount. This account shows what the SSA has on file for you. If you see errors — a missing year, a wrong employer name, or earnings that seem too low — report them to the SSA. Corrections can take time, so it is worth checking months before you plan to file.

If you worked for a railroad, the Railroad Retirement Board (not the SSA) handles your benefits. If you worked for the federal government and paid into the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) rather than Social Security, you may have a different benefit structure. Bring any paperwork about railroad or federal employment.

Documents for spouses and ex-spouses

A current spouse filing on your record needs a marriage certificate and a photo ID. An ex-spouse needs the divorce decree and a photo ID. If your ex-spouse has remarried, they can still file on your record as long as the marriage to you lasted at least 10 years.

If your spouse or ex-spouse is filing, they do not need your permission, but the SSA will contact you to confirm the marriage or divorce. If you were married more than once, each ex-spouse files separately, and the SSA coordinates the benefits so that no one receives more than they are due.

Documents for adult children and survivors

An adult child filing on a parent's record needs a birth certificate showing the parent's name, a photo ID, and proof that the parent is retired, disabled, or deceased. If the parent is deceased, bring a death certificate. If the parent is retired or disabled, the SSA can verify this in their system.

A child must be unmarried and under 19 (or under 23 if in school full-time) to receive benefits on a parent's record. An adult child who became disabled before age 22 can receive benefits at any age. Bring medical records or a letter from a doctor if you are claiming disability.

What happens after you file

After you submit your documents, the SSA will review them and contact you if anything is missing or unclear. This usually takes a few weeks. You will receive a notice in the mail explaining what benefits you are due and when payments will start. If you filed online or by phone, you can check the status of your process in your ssa.gov account.

If the SSA denies your claim or offers less than you expected, you have the right to appeal. Keep copies of everything you submitted. An appeal must be filed within 60 days of the notice, so read the letter carefully and note the important date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring original documents or can I bring copies?

Certified copies are best — they have an official seal and are accepted by the SSA. Photocopies may work, but originals are safest. If you file in person, the SSA can photograph your originals and return them to you, so you do not have to leave them behind.

What if I lost my birth certificate?

Order a replacement from the vital records office in the state where you were born. This usually takes one to two weeks and costs $10 to $30. You can often order online or by mail. While you wait, bring whatever ID you have — a passport, driver's license, or naturalization papers — and the SSA may be able to move forward.

Can I file if I was never issued a Social Security number?

Yes. The SSA will issue you a number as part of the filing process. Bring your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and a photo ID. The process takes longer because the SSA has to create a new record, but you can still file.

Do I need to bring pay stubs or tax returns?

No. The SSA has your earnings record from the taxes you paid. You do not need to prove your work history with documents. However, if you think there are errors in your record, bring whatever documents you have to show the correct information.

What if I am filing as an ex-spouse but cannot find my divorce papers?

Contact the court that issued the divorce decree — usually the county courthouse where you were divorced. Request a certified copy. This can take a few weeks. While you wait, you can still file and explain that the divorce decree is on the way. The SSA will hold your claim until the document arrives.