What documents do I need to apply for social security?

If you are planning to apply for Social Security benefits, you should be familiar with the documents required to complete your application. Usually, depending on the type of benefits you are applying for, you may be required to provide certain documents to prove your identity, US citizenship, and income.

When applying for Social Security benefits, you may be required to provide your birth certificate, proof of US citizenship, identification card, Social Security card, a copy of the W-2 tax form, spousal records, and a copy of military papers. Additional documents may be required depending on the type of Social Security benefits you are applying for, including a marriage certificate, documentation on your medical history, and death certificate (if the eligible beneficiary is deceased).

Documents needed when applying for Social Security

If you are preparing to apply for Social Security benefits, you should gather all the documents you will need as part of the application process. The SSA has a checklist of items (PDF) that are required when applying for benefits.

Here are the important documents required when applying for Social Security:  

Birth certificate

You will be required to provide an original copy of your birth certificate or a certified copy of the issuing agency to prove your age. The SSA does not allow photocopies or notarized copies of your birth certificate. All original documents are returned via registered mail when they are verified.

If you lost the original birth certificate, you should contact the vital records office in your state of birth to get a replacement copy of your birth certificate. If you were born outside the US, you will be required to submit original documents to prove your US citizenship or lawful alien status.

Proof of US citizenship

You must provide documentation to prove that you are a US citizen. If you provided your US birth certificate, it can be used to confirm your US citizenship. Alternatively, you can provide your original US passport. Other acceptable documents include a certificate of naturalization and a certificate of citizenship.

If you are a non-US citizen, you can prove your citizenship by providing Department of Homeland Security documents. These documents may include I-551 (Green card), DHS Form I-94, or Admission Departure record, which can be used to verify your 11-digit Admission number. You must provide original copies or copies certified by the issuing agency.

Social Security Card

The Social Security card contains your Social Security Number (SSN), which the SSA uses to track your earnings to determine how much you will receive when you claim benefits. When applying for benefits, you will be required to provide your Social Security number to verify your SSN and confirm that your earnings record is accurate.

If you lost your Social Security number, you can apply for a replacement card through the SSA website. You may need a driver’s license or state ID card to request the replacement card. The SSA will mail the replacement card to your registered mailing address. 

However, some states like Oklahoma, Minnesota, Nevada, West Virginia, and New Hampshire are not eligible to order a replacement card online; you may be required to visit the local Social Security office to request a Social Security replacement card.

Employment information

The SSA may require documentation of your employment status and history. If you are employed, you will need to provide your W-2 forms from the prior year, which your employer provides. If you are self-employed, you will need to provide a copy of your self-employment tax return for the prior year. The SSA accepts photocopies of the tax return documents.

Military service papers

Your earnings from military service count towards your Social Security benefits, and you may be required to provide documentation to prove your military service. If you served before 1968, you will be required to provide military service papers such as a certificate of release or discharge from active duty. You will be required to provide original records, and the SSA will return these documents once the application process is complete.

Documents needed when applying for spousal benefits

If you are applying for spousal benefits based on your spouse’s work history, you will be required to produce additional documentation to prove your marriage. Some of the required documents include your photo ID, marriage certificate, and marriage license. If you are applying for spousal benefits on your former spouse’s record, you will be required to provide divorce papers to show proof of divorce.

If your spouse is deceased, you can apply for survivor benefits based on the deceased spouse's work history. In this case, you will be required to provide the spouse's Social Security number and death certificate. However, if you have remarried, you will be ineligible to claim survivor benefits on your deceased spouse's record.

What happens if you don’t have all the required documents?

If you don’t have all the documents required when applying for Social Security benefits, you can still proceed with the application process. The SSA allows applicants to provide the missing documents later. In some cases, the SSA can help you get the missing documents from other government agencies. For example, your local Social Security office can contact your state’s Bureau of Vital Statistics to verify information at no cost to you.