Social Security application - do I have to mail original documents or can everything be done online?

I did mine online last yr and yes they still needed my original birth certificate BUT u dont mail it!! You take it to your local SSA office and they scan it and give it right back to u. Make an appointment tho the wait is crazy otherwise

When you apply online, SSA will review your application and then contact you if they need original documents. In many cases, if you already have a driver's license or state ID that's verified through REAL ID, they may not need your birth certificate. For marriage licenses/divorce decrees, they often do need to see originals. But as mentioned, you never mail originals - you either bring them to a local office or schedule an express appointment specifically for document verification. They scan them while you wait and return them immediately.

My sister just did this! They didnt need ANY original documents because she had already provided them years ago when she got her social security card replaced. So if you've ever provided those documents to SSA before, there's a chance they're already in their system!

I was worried about the same thing when I applied last year! The online application is really convenient, but document verification is still required in most cases. Here's what I learned from my experience: 1. You will NEVER mail original documents to SSA 2. After you submit the online application, they'll send you a notification if they need document verification 3. You'll schedule an in-person appointment at your local office specifically for document verification 4. They scan everything while you wait and give your originals back immediately 5. Sometimes they may accept certified copies of certain documents (but not all) Some documents commonly needed: birth certificate, marriage license (if applying for spousal benefits), divorce decree (if applicable), military discharge papers. Bring your driver's license too!

When you apply online, the SSA reviews your application and your existing record in their system. If they need original documents, they'll notify you with instructions to bring them to your local office. However, calling to schedule an appointment can be extremely frustrating - I spent weeks trying to get through on the phone. I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an SSA representative quickly. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. It helped me schedule my document verification appointment without spending hours on hold. Definitely worth it when you need to talk to someone at SSA quickly.

I don't trust ANY of this online stuff! I went straight to the office with all my documents. Waited 3 hours but got everything done in one visit. No waiting for emails or wondering if they got my application. Just saying there's something to be said for doing things the old fashioned way!!

Here's what's frustrating about SSA - policies seem to vary by office. My husband and I both applied online within 3 months of each other. I was asked to bring in original documents, but they never requested his! We think it's because his birth certificate was already scanned into their system years ago when he got a replacement card, but no one could explain why I needed to bring mine in when I'd also previously provided it. The inconsistency is maddening.

One more thing I forgot to mention - if the SSA already has electronic versions of your documents in their system (like if you've provided them before for a different purpose), you might not need to bring them again. But it's so hit or miss that it's best to be prepared with everything just in case. The easiest way to know for sure is to call and ask if they need to see your original documents based on what's already in your record.