Will Social Security return my original marriage and divorce documents after verification?

Yes, SSA will return your original documents! I submitted my marriage certificate, birth certificate, and divorce papers last year when applying for retirement benefits. They returned everything within about 3 weeks. I'd definitely recommend sending them certified mail with tracking just for peace of mind. Also take clear photos of everything before you send them, just as backup.

they sent back mine but took FOREVER like 2 months and no tracking when they sent them back just showed up in my mailbox one day

I NEVER got my divorce decree back from them 3 YEARS AGO!!! Had to pay $75 to get another certified copy from the county clerk. SSA claimed they sent it but NO PROOF. Now I make COPIES of everything and take the copies AND originals to the local office so they can verify the copies match the originals right there!!!

If you're concerned about mailing original documents (which is totally understandable), there's a service I used called Claimyr that helped me get through to SSA on the phone in less than 5 minutes instead of waiting for hours. I was able to ask about alternatives to mailing originals and they told me I could bring them to the local office for verification instead. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU

Social Security Administration does return original documents, but there are better approaches than mailing them: 1. Visit your local Social Security office in person with both originals and photocopies. They can certify the copies on the spot and return your originals immediately. 2. If you must mail them, use USPS certified mail with return receipt for tracking. 3. Some documents can now be uploaded through the my Social Security portal for certain application types. 4. If your documents were issued in the same state where you now live, SSA can sometimes verify them electronically with vital records offices. The return time for mailed documents varies widely from 2-8 weeks depending on current processing volumes.

my aunt sent her marriage certificate to them when applying for widows benefits after my uncle passed and they sent it back in about a month. she was worried about it too but it came back fine.

also make sure ur sending to right address!!! my friend sent her stuff to wrong office and took 3 months to get sorted out

Just a follow-up to my earlier comment - they returned my documents via regular first-class mail, not tracked. That's why I suggested certified mail when sending them - at least that way you know they received it. For what it's worth, everything arrived back safely, but I was nervous until they showed up!

i brought mine to the office and they made copies and gave me back originals right away. way better than mailing if u can get appointment