Do I need marriage licenses & divorce decrees from all previous marriages for Social Security survivor benefits?

For survivor benefits, SSA primarily needs documentation of your marriage to the deceased spouse. They will ask for dates of any previous marriages for both of you, but typically don't require actual documentation unless there's something unusual about your case. Since none of the prior marriages lasted 10+ years (which would potentially qualify for divorced spouse benefits), they're less concerned with those details. What you should definitely have: - Your marriage certificate to your late husband - His death certificate - Your birth certificate - His Social Security number They'll ask for the previous marriage information during the interview, but in most standard cases, they won't require you to produce those old documents.

when i applied for survivors last yr they just wanted dates of previous marriages. didnt have to show any paperwork from those marriages just had to tell them when they were and when they ended. only needed my marriage license to my husband who passed and his death certificate. the rest was just answering questions

I went through this exact process last year and was totally panicking about the same thing! SSA only asked for our marriage certificate and his death certificate, plus my ID and SSN card. For previous marriages they just took down the dates verbally during the interview. HOWEVER, they did say they might request those documents later if needed for verification, but I never heard anything more about it. Just know the dates and locations in case they ask!

THE SSA MADE ME PRODUCE EVERYTHING!!! Marriage licenses, divorce decrees, the works. The rep said it was "required" even though I told her my ex and I were only married for 3 years back in the 80s. Wasted 2 months tracking down paperwork they supposedly didn't need. It depends entirely on which employee you get and what mood they're in that day. Their own rules don't seem to matter. Bring whatever you can find just to save yourself the hassle of multiple appointments.

I've been trying to call SS for 3 weeks about this exact question and can't get through to anyone!!! Just endless holds and disconnections. So frustrating trying to prepare for this appointment without getting answers.

From my experience assisting clients with survivor benefit applications, here's what typically happens: 1. SSA will ask for dates and locations of all marriages and divorces during your interview 2. You'll need to provide your marriage certificate to the deceased spouse and their death certificate 3. For previous marriages, verbal information is usually sufficient UNLESS: - There's a discrepancy in SSA records - A previous marriage lasted near or over 10 years - There's reason to question benefit eligibility I recommend at minimum knowing the full names of previous spouses, approximate dates of marriages and divorces, and locations where they occurred. Have your own previous divorce decree accessible if possible, but don't stress about obtaining your late husband's 1987 divorce documentation unless specifically requested later.

btw make sure u kno his earnings history too cuz they look at that for calculating ur benefit. my husband worked for the govt for a few years so they had to calculate something called WEP or GPO i think? took longer to process my claim cuz of that special calculation

After reading all these replies I'm confused now... seems like some people had to provide all documentation and others didn't? Is it just random whether they ask for everything or not?

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences and knowledge! Based on your advice, I'm going to: 1. Make sure I have all the basic documents ready (our marriage certificate, his death certificate, my ID, etc.) 2. Write down all the dates and locations of previous marriages for both of us 3. Try to locate my own divorce decree just in case 4. Not stress too much about his old divorce papers unless they specifically ask for them I feel so much better prepared now. This community has been incredibly helpful!

I just went through this process 6 months ago and wanted to add my experience. SSA only required our marriage certificate and his death certificate for the main documentation. For previous marriages, they asked me verbally during the interview about dates and locations, but didn't request any paperwork. However, I did bring a list with all the details written down (spouse names, marriage dates, divorce dates, locations) which made the interview go much smoother. The representative seemed appreciative that I was organized and prepared. One thing I didn't see mentioned - they also asked about any name changes I'd had, so if you've changed your name multiple times through marriages, be ready to explain that timeline too. Good luck with your application!

As someone who recently helped my sister through this process, I can confirm that most of what's been shared here is accurate. SSA typically focuses on documenting the marriage that establishes your benefit eligibility - so your 27-year marriage to your late husband is what matters most. They'll ask about previous marriages during the interview, but usually just need verbal confirmation of dates and basic details. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned - if you're worried about remembering all the details during what can be an emotional interview, consider bringing a trusted family member or friend for support. They allowed my sister to have me there, and it helped her stay focused when the representative was asking all the questions about dates and personal history. Also, don't be surprised if they ask about any periods where either of you might have been married but separated before the actual divorce - they want to understand the full timeline to ensure there are no overlapping benefit claims. You sound very well-prepared, and I'm sorry for your loss. The process is usually more straightforward than the anxiety leading up to it makes it seem.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Emma. I went through the survivor benefits application process about 8 months ago and can share what my experience was like. The SSA representative only asked for our marriage certificate and my husband's death certificate as the main documentation. For previous marriages, they just asked me verbally during the interview about the dates and locations - no paperwork required for those. However, I'd recommend having at least a rough timeline written down beforehand because grief can make it hard to remember details on the spot. They asked things like "When did your previous marriage begin and end?" and "What was your former spouse's full name?" Having that information organized helped me get through the interview more smoothly. The whole appointment took about 45 minutes, and most of it was just confirming information they already had in their system. Don't stress too much about tracking down those old divorce papers unless they specifically request them later - which in my case, they never did.

I'm a newcomer to this community but wanted to share what I learned when I applied for survivor benefits last month. The SSA representative told me upfront that they only require documentation for marriages that could affect your benefit calculation - which means your marriage to your late husband and any previous marriages that lasted 10+ years (for potential divorced spouse benefits). Since none of your previous marriages were close to 10 years, you shouldn't need those old documents. They did ask me verbally about my previous marriage during the interview - just basic info like dates, spouse's name, and where the divorce was finalized. What really helped me was calling ahead to confirm what documents to bring. I know others mentioned phone wait times, but I called early morning (around 8 AM) and got through in about 15 minutes. The representative was able to tell me exactly what I needed for my specific situation. You sound very well prepared already. Having your marriage certificate, his death certificate, and organized notes about the previous marriage details should be more than sufficient. Best of luck with your application!

I'm new to this community and wanted to add my experience from when I applied for survivor benefits about 4 months ago. The documentation requirements were exactly as most people here have described - I only needed our marriage certificate and my husband's death certificate as the primary documents. For previous marriages, they just asked verbal questions during the interview. What I found helpful was creating a simple timeline document with columns for: Marriage Date, Spouse Name, Divorce Date, Location. Having this in front of me during the interview made me feel more confident and organized. The SSA representative actually complimented me on being prepared, which made the whole process feel less intimidating. One small detail that might help - they also asked if there were any periods of separation before the actual divorce dates, so be prepared to clarify those timelines if applicable. In my case, there was about a year between when we separated and when the divorce was finalized, and they just noted that in their system. The interview was much more straightforward than I had worried about. You're clearly well-prepared already, and I'm sorry for your loss. The anxiety beforehand is often worse than the actual process.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share what happened when I applied for survivor benefits just 2 months ago. Like everyone else has mentioned, SSA only required my marriage certificate to my late husband and his death certificate for the main documentation. They asked about my previous marriage verbally during the interview - just the dates, my ex-husband's name, and where we got divorced. What I wish I had known beforehand was that they also asked about any children from previous relationships, even if those children are now adults. They wanted to know if there were any potential benefit claims that could affect the calculations. Since you mentioned both you and your husband had previous marriages, just be prepared to answer whether either of you had children from those relationships. The whole appointment took about 30 minutes and was much less stressful than I expected. Having all the basic information organized beforehand (like others suggested) definitely made it go smoother. You sound very well prepared already. I'm sorry for your loss, and I hope your application process goes smoothly!

I'm new to this community and wanted to share my recent experience applying for survivor benefits just 6 weeks ago. Like others have mentioned, SSA only required our marriage certificate and my husband's death certificate as the primary documents. They asked about previous marriages verbally during the interview - dates, locations, and former spouse names. One thing I found really helpful that I haven't seen mentioned yet is that they have a checklist they go through systematically during the interview. The representative told me upfront what topics we'd cover, which helped reduce my anxiety. They asked about previous marriages, any name changes, children (from any marriage), work history for both spouses, and whether either of us ever received government benefits. The key is being honest and organized with your information. I brought a simple folder with all my documents and a timeline sheet, and the representative appreciated the preparation. The interview took about 40 minutes, and most of that was just confirming information they already had in their system. You sound incredibly well-prepared already. Don't stress about tracking down those old divorce papers unless specifically requested. I'm sorry for your loss, and I hope your appointment goes smoothly!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience from when I applied for survivor benefits about 3 months ago. Like everyone else has mentioned, SSA only required documentation for my marriage to my late husband (marriage certificate and death certificate) plus my identification. For previous marriages, they only asked verbal questions during the interview - dates, locations, former spouse names, and whether the marriages produced any children. What really helped me was calling the SSA office a few days before my appointment to confirm exactly what I needed to bring. The representative was able to review my case briefly and confirm that I wouldn't need documentation from my previous marriage since it was under 10 years. One small tip that made a difference: I organized everything in a simple binder with tabs - "Required Documents," "Previous Marriage Info," and "Questions to Ask." The SSA representative commented on how organized I was, which seemed to make the whole process more efficient. Your situation sounds very similar to mine - previous marriages well under 10 years, so you should be in good shape with just the basic documentation and organized information about dates and locations. The interview was actually much less stressful than I anticipated. I'm sorry for your loss, and I hope your application process goes smoothly!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience from applying for survivor benefits just last month. The documentation requirements were exactly as everyone has described - I only needed our marriage certificate, his death certificate, and my ID for the core documents. What really stood out to me was how much the SSA representative appreciated when applicants came prepared with organized information. I created a simple one-page summary with previous marriage details (dates, locations, spouse names) and brought it to the interview. She actually made a copy for their files, which seemed to speed up the process significantly. For previous marriages, they asked standard questions verbally but didn't request any documentation since mine was only 4 years long (ended in 1995). The representative explained that they only need prior marriage documents if the marriage lasted close to 10 years or if there are discrepancies in their system that need verification. One thing that surprised me was how compassionate and patient the staff was during what's obviously a difficult time. The whole appointment took about 35 minutes, and I felt supported throughout the process. You sound extremely well-prepared based on all the great advice you've received here. I'm sorry for your loss, and I hope your appointment goes as smoothly as mine did!