Social Security documentation requirements at FRA - need divorce decrees & death certificates for multiple marriages?

Yes, you absolutely need to bring ALL of those documents. My sister just went through this process, and she had to provide every marriage certificate, divorce decree, and death certificate relevant to her situation. The SSA needs to determine which benefit you qualify for (your own, ex-spouse survivor, etc.) and the only way they can do that is by verifying all your marital history. Make copies of everything before you go!

I applied last year and brought my ex's death certificate but didnt have our divorce papers with me. BIG MISTAKE!!! Had to reschedule my whole appointment and wait another 6 weeks just because of that one document. Bring EVERYTHING related to ALL marriages even if you think it doesn't matter. The SSA wants to see it all, trust me!!!

To clarify some information here - you definitely need documentation, but let me explain exactly why and what they're looking for. The SSA needs to determine if you're eligible for benefits on anyone else's record besides your own. Since your first marriage lasted over 10 years (the minimum for divorced spouse benefits) and your ex passed away, you might be eligible for survivor benefits on his record if they're higher than your own retirement benefits. Your second marriage doesn't impact this eligibility since it ended before you're applying. Document requirements: - Your birth certificate (original or certified copy) - Both divorce decrees (certified copies) - First husband's death certificate (certified copy) - Second marriage certificate (may be needed to verify timeline) - Your Social Security card Make sure all documents are certified copies from the issuing agencies. Regular photocopies won't be accepted.

Yes, you can order his death certificate from the vital records office in the state where he died, regardless of your marital status at the time. You'll likely need to provide your information and explain why you need it (for Social Security benefits purposes). Some states may require you to show proof of your relationship (like your marriage certificate) even though you were divorced.

when i went to apply they didn't even look at half my stuff but better to have it all. my friend forgot her divorce papers and they made her come back. depends on who u get i think some are more strict than others

I've been trying to reach SSA for WEEKS about a similar documentation question! Every time I call, I'm on hold for hours and then get disconnected. I've tried going to my local office but the line was out the door and they told me to make an appointment - which I can't do without getting through on the phone! It's a maddening cycle. I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me through to a real SSA representative in less than 20 minutes. They basically hold your place in the phone queue and call you when they reach an agent. Saved me hours of frustration! You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU or their website claimyr.com. Once I got through, the agent confirmed I needed ALL documentation for every marriage/divorce. Better to have everything ready than to delay your application process!

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'll definitely gather ALL the documents - both divorce decrees, marriage certificates, and my first husband's death certificate. I appreciate the tip about getting certified copies too. @profile4 - I might need that phone service you mentioned if I have trouble getting any of these documents. The thought of multiple appointments and delays is making me anxious!

One more thing - don't forget to check if you should apply for survivor benefits now and your own retirement benefits later (or vice versa). Depending on your ex-husband's earnings record versus your own, and depending on when exactly you reach FRA, there might be strategies to maximize your benefits by claiming them in a specific order. This is something worth discussing with the SSA representative when you get your appointment.

You can create an account on my.ssa.gov to see your own estimated benefit amount. For your deceased ex-spouse's record, you'll need to speak with an SSA representative who can look up that information. Since your first marriage lasted over 10 years and you haven't remarried (your second marriage ended), you potentially qualify for either: 1. Survivor benefits based on your deceased ex-husband's record (up to 100% of what he would receive) 2. Your own retirement benefit At FRA, you can choose whichever is higher. In some cases, you can even take one benefit type now and switch to the other later if it would result in a higher amount.

Just curious - does anyone know if they MAIL BACK your original documents after they process your application? My friend is worried about sending her only copy of her divorce papers...

I went through a similar situation last year and want to share a few additional tips that helped me! First, when ordering certified copies, get at least 2-3 of each document - you never know if you'll need extras for other purposes or if one gets damaged. Second, I created a simple checklist and kept copies of everything in a folder organized by marriage/relationship so I could easily find what the SSA rep was asking for. Also, if you're having trouble getting your first husband's death certificate because you're divorced, try contacting the funeral home that handled his arrangements - they sometimes keep records and can point you in the right direction for obtaining the official certificate. The whole process took me about 45 minutes once I had all my paperwork in order, so the prep work is definitely worth it!

As someone who works in retirement planning, I want to emphasize something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - timing matters significantly for your situation! Since you're eligible for both survivor benefits from your deceased ex-husband AND your own retirement benefits, you have some strategic options at FRA. You can actually file a "restricted application" to claim survivor benefits first while letting your own retirement benefit grow with delayed retirement credits until age 70 (earning 8% per year). Then at 70, you could switch to your own higher benefit if it exceeds the survivor amount. This strategy isn't available to everyone, but since you were born before 1954, you may qualify. Definitely ask the SSA rep about this when you go in - it could mean thousands of dollars in additional lifetime benefits! And yes, bring all those documents everyone mentioned - they'll need to verify your entire marital history to determine all your options.