Social Security benefits on ex-spouse's record - how to submit required original documents?

They'll send you a letter in the mail requesting the documents they need. This usually happens 2-4 weeks after you submit your online application. The letter will include instructions on how to deliver the originals to your local field office - you can either mail them (use certified mail!) or drop them off in person. Don't worry about the "in process" status - that's normal while they're reviewing your application and determining which documents they need. The Richmond location is likely just the processing center handling your case, not necessarily where you'll need to submit documents.

When I applied last year I got a letter in the MAIL asking for my divorce papers. Took like 3 weeks to get it. No phone call no email nothing. just snail mail! And then I had to make an appointment at my local office to bring the originals in. They made copies and gave them back same day.

I HATE how the SSA handles this!!! When I applied for benefits on my ex's record, my application sat for SIX WEEKS before they sent a letter asking for documents. Then it took ANOTHER 8 weeks to process after I brought them in! The whole "we need originals" thing is so archaic when every other government agency accepts digital copies. And good luck trying to call them to check status - I spent HOURS on hold only to get disconnected. The system is BROKEN!

after u get the letter asking for docs you can just take everything to your local office. they have a drop box inside if u don't wanna wait for an appointment. they'll make copies and mail your originals back in like a week. just make sure u write your ssn and phone # on everything so they know whose file to put it with.

If you're anxious and don't want to wait for their letter, you could be proactive and try to reach them by phone to ask about your specific case. The challenge is getting through to an actual person at SSA. When I needed to contact them about my divorced spouse benefits, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours or getting disconnected. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent I spoke with was able to see exactly what documents were needed for my application and even scheduled an appointment for me to bring them in. Saved me weeks of waiting for the mail request.

Forgot to mention in my earlier rant - MAKE COPIES of everything before you send it in!!! My friend's original birth certificate got LOST when she mailed it to SSA and it was a nightmare getting a replacement. If you go in person, they'll copy it and give it right back to you.

Something important to understand about spousal benefits based on an ex-spouse: you need to have been married for at least 10 years, be at least 62, and be currently unmarried. Also, if your ex hasn't applied for benefits yet but is eligible, you'll need to have been divorced for at least two years before you can collect on their record. The SSA will calculate your own retirement benefit and the spousal benefit (which is up to 50% of your ex's full retirement benefit), and you'll receive whichever amount is higher - not both combined. If you're applying before your full retirement age (FRA), both your own benefit and the spousal benefit will be reduced permanently.

To add to what others have said - the SSA is currently experiencing significant processing delays due to staffing shortages and increased application volume. While they typically send document request letters within 2-4 weeks, it can sometimes take 6-8 weeks currently. If you haven't received anything after 8 weeks, that's when I'd suggest being more proactive in contacting them. Regarding the required documents for an ex-spouse claim: you'll need your birth certificate, marriage certificate, and divorce decree showing the marriage lasted at least 10 years. You don't technically need your ex-spouse's SSN if you don't have it - SSA can usually locate their record with their date of birth and full name as shown on your marriage certificate, though having the SSN does speed up the process.

Thank you everyone for the helpful replies! I feel much better knowing what to expect now. I'll give it another week or two for their letter, and if I don't receive anything, I'll try that Claimyr service to speak with someone directly. I've gathered all my documents and made copies just to be safe. Really appreciate all the advice!

Just want to add another perspective as someone who went through this process recently. I applied for divorced spouse benefits in November and received my document request letter exactly 3 weeks later. The letter was very clear about what they needed and gave me multiple options for submission. One thing I'd recommend is updating your mailing address in your mySocialSecurity account if you've moved recently - I almost missed my letter because it went to an old address initially. Also, when you do get the letter, read it carefully because they sometimes ask for certified copies instead of originals for certain documents, which can save you a trip to the SSA office. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking, but the process does work once it gets going. Hang in there!

I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I applied for divorced spouse benefits about 2 weeks ago and have been checking my account daily wondering when I'd hear something. Reading everyone's experiences has really put my mind at ease. One question - for those who went through this process, did you get any kind of confirmation or acknowledgment when SSA received your documents? I'm planning to submit mine in person when I get the letter, but I want to make sure I get some kind of receipt or proof that they received everything. Also, @Fernanda Marquez, I hope your process goes smoothly! It sounds like you have everything well organized and ready to go.

I went through this exact same process last year and completely understand your frustration! The online application system really doesn't make it clear what happens next with document submission. Here's what you can expect: SSA will send you a letter (not email or phone call) requesting the specific documents they need for your case. This typically arrives 3-4 weeks after your online application, though it can take up to 6-8 weeks during busy periods. The letter will include detailed instructions on how to submit your originals. You have a few options once you get the letter: 1. Take documents to your local SSA office in person (they'll copy and return originals immediately) 2. Mail them using certified mail with return receipt (though I personally wouldn't recommend this for irreplaceable documents like marriage certificates) 3. Some offices have secure drop boxes, but I'd avoid these for originals Since you're applying for divorced spouse benefits, make sure you also have your birth certificate ready - they'll likely request that along with your marriage certificate and divorce decree. And definitely make copies of everything before submitting! The "in process" status is completely normal at this stage. Try not to worry - the system works, it's just slow and not very communicative about next steps.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! The anxiety of not knowing what comes next is totally understandable. Here's what I learned from my experience: SSA will definitely send you a letter - no phone calls or emails. Mine arrived exactly 4 weeks after I submitted my online application. The letter was actually pretty comprehensive and included a checklist of required documents specific to my case. For divorced spouse benefits, they asked for my original marriage certificate, divorce decree, and birth certificate. They also wanted proof that the marriage lasted at least 10 years (which was clear from the dates on my documents). Having my ex's SSN helped speed things up, but like others mentioned, it's not absolutely required if you have his full legal name and DOB. I chose to submit everything in person at my local field office. Made an appointment online through the SSA website, which was much easier than trying to call. The whole process took about 15 minutes - they made copies, verified everything was complete, gave me a detailed receipt, and handed my originals right back. One tip: when you do get that letter, respond quickly! I submitted my documents within a week of receiving the request, and my benefits started the following month. The whole process from online application to first payment took about 10 weeks total. You're doing everything right by having your documents ready to go. The waiting is definitely the worst part, but once that letter arrives, everything moves pretty smoothly!

I'm also going through this process right now and this thread has been incredibly reassuring! I applied for divorced spouse benefits about 10 days ago and have been checking my account obsessively wondering when I'd hear something. Reading everyone's experiences really helps set realistic expectations. It sounds like the 3-4 week timeline for receiving the document request letter is pretty consistent, and I love that multiple people confirmed they return your originals immediately when you submit in person. One thing I'm curious about - for those who made appointments at their local SSA office, how far out were you able to schedule? I'm hoping I won't have to wait weeks for an appointment once I get my letter, especially since everyone emphasizes responding quickly to speed up the overall process. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences. It's so helpful to hear from people who have actually been through this rather than trying to decode the official SSA website!

I'm currently waiting for my document request letter too - applied about 5 weeks ago for divorced spouse benefits and still haven't heard anything. This thread is giving me hope that it's still within the normal timeframe! One thing I wanted to add based on my research: if you're over your full retirement age (which you are at 66), you won't face any penalties for the delayed application, and you might actually be entitled to some retroactive payments back to when you first became eligible. That could be a nice surprise when your benefits do start! Also, since you mentioned you already have your ex's SSN, that should definitely help speed up the process once they start reviewing your case. Some people have to wait longer while SSA tries to locate their ex-spouse's earnings record without that information. Hang in there - sounds like you have everything organized perfectly and you're just in the normal waiting period. The system is slow but it does work!

I'm going through the exact same process right now! Applied for divorced spouse benefits about 3 weeks ago and have been anxiously checking my account every day. This entire thread has been so incredibly helpful - it's amazing how much clearer everything becomes when you hear from people who have actually been through it rather than trying to navigate the SSA website. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like we're both right in that normal 3-6 week window for receiving the document request letter. I'm feeling much more confident now knowing that the "in process" status is completely normal and that they will definitely contact us with clear instructions. I'm also planning to submit my documents in person when the time comes - after reading all these responses, that definitely seems like the safest and fastest option. Getting a receipt and having the originals returned immediately sounds like the way to go. Thank you for starting this discussion! It's so reassuring to know we're not alone in feeling confused by this process. Wishing you a smooth experience with the rest of your application!