The Documents You Must Bring

You will need proof of citizenship, proof of age, and proof of identity before you can explore for Social Security. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will not process your process without these three categories of documents. You do not need to gather originals — certified copies work — but the SSA will verify them against government records, so they must be official documents issued by a government body.

Bring your original documents or certified copies to your local Social Security office, or mail them with your process if you are explore by mail or online. The SSA will return originals to you after they verify the information. If you do not have one of these documents, the SSA can tell you which alternatives they will accept in its place.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers), proof of age (birth certificate or passport), and proof of identity (driver's license, passport, or state ID card).
  • If you were born outside the United States, you will also need to bring your green card or visa, plus documentation of your immigration status.
  • You can explore in person at your local Social Security office, by mail, or online at ssa.gov if you have a my Social Security account.
  • The SSA will return your original documents after verifying them, so you do not lose them by bringing them in.
  • If you do not have a required document, call 1-800-772-1213 to ask which alternatives the SSA will accept.

Proof of Citizenship

A U.S. birth certificate is the standard proof of citizenship. It must be an official copy issued by the vital records office in the state where you were born, not a hospital birth certificate. You can order a certified copy from your state's vital records office — most states charge $10 to $30 and can mail it to you within one to two weeks.

If you do not have a birth certificate, a U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship will also work. A passport costs more and takes longer to obtain, but it serves as proof of citizenship, age, and identity all in one document. If you were born outside the United States and are a U.S. citizen, bring your naturalization or citizenship certificate instead of a birth certificate.

Proof of Age

Your birth certificate serves as proof of age. If you do not have one, a U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a state-issued ID card with your date of birth will work. Religious records (such as a baptism certificate) can work if they were created before age five and show your date of birth, though the SSA prefers government-issued documents.

The document must show your full date of birth, not just the year. If your state ID card or driver's license does not show your birth date, it will not work for this purpose — you will need one of the other documents listed above.

Proof of Identity

A current driver's license or state ID card is the easiest proof of identity. It must be unexpired or expired no more than one year ago. A U.S. passport also works. If you do not have any of these, the SSA will accept a school ID, employee ID, military ID, or tribal ID — but call ahead to confirm that the specific ID you have will be accepted.

The document must have your photograph and signature on it. If you do not have a photo ID, bring two documents that together show your name, date of birth, and signature — such as a bank statement plus a utility bill, though the SSA prefers government-issued documents. Call 1-800-772-1213 if you are unsure whether what you have will work.

Documents for Non-Citizens

If you were born outside the United States, bring your green card (Permanent Resident Card) or visa showing your current immigration status. You will also need to bring your passport or travel document. The SSA uses these to verify that you are in the country legally and to determine whether you meet the work history requirements for the benefit you are seeking.

If you are a refugee or asylee, bring your I-94 form (Arrival/Departure Record) or your approval notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If you have a work permit (Employment Authorization Document), bring that as well. The SSA will keep copies of these documents on file.

What Happens After You Submit Your Documents

The SSA will verify your documents against government records — your birth state's vital records office, the State Department, and USCIS if you are not a citizen. This verification usually takes one to two weeks. You will receive a letter in the mail telling you whether your documents were accepted or whether the SSA needs more information from you.

If the SSA cannot verify a document, they will ask you to bring in an alternative or to provide additional paperwork. For example, if your birth certificate does not match the name on file with the vital records office, they may ask for a marriage certificate or court order showing the name change. Keep copies of everything you submit in case you need to provide it again.

how the process works

You can explore in person, by mail, or online. The fastest route is usually online at ssa.gov if you have a my Social Security account — you can upload your documents directly and avoid a trip to the office. If you do not have an account, you can create one on the same website.

To explore in person, call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment at your local Social Security office. Bring all your documents with you. If you prefer to explore by mail, read the process form from ssa.gov, fill it out, make copies of your documents, and mail everything to your local Social Security office. The address is on the form.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You can bring certified copies instead of originals. If you bring originals, the SSA will return them to you after verifying the information. If you mail your process, send certified copies, not originals — the SSA will not return documents sent by mail.

What if I was born in another country but I am a U.S. citizen?

Bring your Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship instead of a birth certificate. You will also need to bring your passport or travel document and your green card or visa showing your current status. The SSA uses these to verify your citizenship and work history.

How long does it take to process my process after I submit my documents?

The SSA usually verifies your documents within one to two weeks and will send you a letter telling you whether they were accepted. Processing the full process — determining whether you meet the requirements for the benefit you are seeking — takes longer and depends on the type of benefit.

What if I do not have a birth certificate?

A U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship will work instead. If you do not have any of these, contact your state's vital records office to order a birth certificate — most states charge $10 to $30 and mail it within one to two weeks. Call 1-800-772-1213 if you need help finding your state's office.

Can I explore online if I do not have a my Social Security account?

You can create a my Social Security account on ssa.gov for free. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity — usually a phone number or bank account on file. Once your account is set up, you can explore online and upload your documents.