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Oh, I have been wondering this too! I don't have any time off for the rest of the year since I took it all for our wedding/honeymoon, so i'm in the same boat. I'm def following this thread :-)
I didn't mail it but I would make sure to send it Priority Mail with Return Receipt Requested or something similar to make sure it gets there safely.
Make sure you insure it bc I have had a lot of problems with USPS in the past. They would lose my mail all the time, send mail to the wrong address, lieing to me about what happen to my package and just be downright rude and nasty. You want to make sure you protect your package, bc there is not a lot you can do if USPS loses it or destroys it somehow. I think, if you insure it though, they will be liable for it. And just cross your fingures I guess.
I would also worry about Social security losing your passport. Govt agencies are not very efficient.
I actually will need to get a new passport anyways, as this one is full, so i'm not particularly concerned about that! I think i'm just going to go for it...
@crayfish: You do still need to worry about them losing it because you will need the old one to get a new one issued. Plus, you should insure the package since your SSN will be in there along with other identifying information and if the post office loses it, it would be easy for someone to steal your identity.
@MissAsB: Yes, I understand ;-) i've traveled to about 31 different countries, got the identity issues down. It is still possible to get a new passport without your old one - as long as you have proper ID. People who lose their passports can still get another one!
I refused to put my original birth certificate, original SS card and my passport through the US mail. It just isn't very safe. Those are the documents that truely prove your identity and the US mail service it awful and I don't trust them not to lose stuff. I've had way too many pieces of mail lost, damaged, etc (I've had some envelopes ripped open and delivered completely empty - all contents lost).
Going to the local office was really quick and easy. Took 30 minutes tops. Save yourself the risk and go over a lunch break or leave a little early from work one day.
I didn't need my passport at SS (which makes sense as not everyone has one). All I needed was the marriage certificate and id which I'm pretty sure could have been liscence and/or birth cert. (I used my passport). Eitehr way, it was super easy and I would also suggest going on lunch break or leaving a bit early if possible to avoid mailing such documents. It took about 2 weeks to get my card in the mail after I went in in person to make the change.
I only had to send my marriage license and my name change form to my local SS office. I ordered a backup certificate so I wasn't too worried about it. They got it about 2 days later, I got what I had sent back the following week with a letter saying it would take a max of 2 weeks to get my new SS card.
I don't think you need to send all that other stuff with it. I'd be surprised if different states required different things since SS is a federal thing.
@camrie: Hummmm .... I was definitely required to show my birth certificate and SS card along with a photo proof of ID (passport or driver's license) along with my marriage license. I guess it does sometimes differ.
This is what I did (here in NC):
After we got our official marriage certificate back in the mail (about 2 weeks after the wedding) I went to the social security office. I went to one locally so I didn't mail it. I changed my name at the office and then about a week or 2 later they mailed me my new social security card in the mail. 3 days after going to the ssc office I could go to the DMV for my new license. I got my new drivers license a week or 2 after that by mail.
Then once I had those 2 documents with my new name I could apply for a passport. I needed to mail my old passport, and copies of my new documents plus an official copy of our marriage license. Also the passport paperwork & fees. It will vary if you've never had a passport before - then you'll need a birth certificate I think. Also my passport came very quick! I also recieved my old documents and old passport back as promised!
@Mrs.KMM: Maybe it's different if you actually go to the office. Since I mailed mine I only had to include our marrige license. I think only if you live in a certain area do you need to actually visit a SS office (and maybe they require ID if you do it in-person).
http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html
Oh and for the OP: Sign the form with your intended name (it doesn't say on the form which name to sign with). I signed with my old name and they called me so I had to send a new form in.
@camrie: Hah! Thanks for the tip :)
The info I'm getting is from here: http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/315/kw/name%20change%20on%20ss%20card
Which indicates that I need to provide proof of citizenship and identity, both of which I can do with my passport.
It is, unfortunately, really and truly not an option for me to go in person, at least not in the next few weeks. Like I said, I'm temping, so I don't have a lot of control over my schedule (i.e. can't take an afternoon off), and I use public transit, so it would take me longer than the hour I get for lunch to get to the nearest office, let alone stand in line and then get back to work. :/
Just a quick follow up, in case anyone else wonders or stumbles upon this in the future :)
I sent my documents in to SS Saturday (because that's when I had time to go to the post office). I sent it priority with delivery confirmation (which isn't tracking), since the office is only about a mile from where we live/our post office. That cost just over $5 - not too shabby! It was delivered Monday, and today (Wednesday) I got my passport and marriage license back. I put a prepaid priority envelope in for them to use to return it, and they did use that. I don't know how they would have mailed it back otherwise, but I figured I'd rather pay another $5 to feel better about it. :) I had to buy a special stamp for that envelope, since usually they don't get stamps, you just pay for it at the post office when you send it.
So, 2 business day turnaround here in DC for getting documents back from SS. I also got a receipt with a number on it, saying I should get my new card within 2 weeks, and if I don't get it in that time, to call and give them the number on my receipt.
I mailed everything and it was fine. I got my birth certificate back within 2 weeks. I did make sure I had copies of everything in case they got lost.
I stumbled upon this -- and would like to share my current story about changing my name.
I don't have a car, I take the bus to work. I work about 20 miles away from my home, the bus trip is about 1.5 hours, this includes "layovers" and what not. The SSA office closes at 3:30, no I do not have the option to take my documents in during lunch or any of that.
Taken from the SSA:
If you have not already established your U.S. citizenship with us, we need to see proof of U.S. citizenship. We can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport.
If you already have a Social Security Number and you are changing your name because of marriage, you will need the following:
1: Marriage Document (Certified by the keeper of the record; NOT NOTORIZED)
2: Any item that can establish your identity:(YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE IS NOT VALID)
U.S. Drivers LicenseState-issued Identification Card; orU.S. Passport
If you do not have these and can not get a replacment they will ask to see the following documents including:
Employee ID Card,School ID Card,Health Insurance Card, (Not a MEDICARE card) orUS Military I.D. Card
They need to be recent, issued within the last 2 years (As per the SSA)
3: Completed Application for Social Security Card (FORM SS-5)
Any documents that are sent by mail to Social Security will be mailed back to you with a reciept.
Your new card will have the same number as your previous card, but will show your new name. We will mail your card as soon as we have all of your information and have verified your documents.
REMEMBER ALL SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICES ARE FREE
I sent in 4 documents by mail:
1: Current Drivers License issued 6 months ago.2: Current Passport issued 4 years ago.3: Certified Marriage Certificate, issued 3 days ago.4: Filled out form SS-5
I sent it Thursday, the SSA office is less than 4 blocks away from my house, they close at 3:30PM and they DO NOT have a drop box or mail slot accessible after hours.
I sent in my documents regular FIRST CLASS mail in a sealed envelope with two 44cent stamps.
NOTE:
My husband had to get a new Social Security card not too long ago, and they sent his Social Security card First Class marked "U.S. OFFICAL MAIL", (I GET OFFERS MARKED OFFICAL MAIL ALL THE TIME)-- Its still regular first class, so if they send their mail first class -- their mail to me has the same chance of getting "lost, stolen ect ect." as my mail to them.
P.S. YES, you can get a new passport even if you don't have your previous one. First you need to report your previous passport as lost by filling out form DS-64 and submitting it with form DS-11 to a Passport acceptance facility or Passport agency.
There is a lot of mis-information on this post so I had to chime in. I will reply later on how long it took to receive back my documents that I sent in, as well as how long it took to receive my new social security card.
Just because someone gets delivery confirmation it doesn't mean it was delivered to the correct address. -- My husband purchased a firearm through the internet that was being sent to a federal firearms license holder -- this package was shipped USPS Priority with tracking, signature confirmation and insurance.
The package was delivered to the wrong person -- it was signed for. Since they had a signature on file, and they had scanned the package as delivered there was no re-course through the USPS -- they showed it was delivered. They have no way to tell what address it was really delivered to, accept by asking the post "man" if he delivered it to the correct address. It was a huge issue and the post office couldn’t really do anything about it.
Luckily whomever it was mis-delivered to took it upon themselves to deliver it to the correct address, package unopened.
Human error is human error no matter how much we try to "guarantee" a delivery, don't let package delivery confirmation give you an extra sence of security -- its just gives you a false sense of security.
I just received my License, Passport and Confirmation Reciept for my application Social Security name change -- It was sent out on Thursday the 13th and I just received the return today Thursday the 20th.
They paid for shipping back for me (Technically I paid it by paying taxes.) No-- I did not have to include a self addressed stamped envelople to recieve my documents back.
Don't do it !
I sent mine (driver license + US passport) - Nov 3 2011 (with return receipt) to request a new card since I lost/misplaced the old one. West Babylon, NY office.
I really had no choice - I just got a new job - 30 min lunch break is not enough for me to get to the office and back.
I got the receipt a couple of days later.
I called today (Nov 18) to inquire about the status. First I had to call the regular 800 number. after being on hold for about 10 minutes I was told that there is nothing in the system showing my application. I was then given the local office number. I called and was told by Miss Stock " yes - we received your documents, and application, they're in the pile - we just didn't get to it yet". When I politely asked her to estimate how long it will take I was told "Well, since you are a (pause…) foreign born US citizen, we don't know how long it takes". I then reminded her that I’ve been driving (to work) without a driver license for the past 2 weeks to which she retorted: " If the cops stop you - just tell them that you choose to mail your driver license instead of just walking into a Social Security Office”. Now this goes beyond rude. Is there a place where I can report this kind of a behavior?
So here I am. No social security card (or acknowledgement) for which my new employer already asked my about -like 5 times. I hope I don't get pulled over and have to pay a fine for lack o driver license.
ps: google got me here. I was searching for "mailing in docs to ss". I registered to warn others.
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How long did they take to get everything (including your new-name social security card) back to you?
I'm temping right now and am set to start working full time tomorrow, for at couple weeks, maybe longer, and can't really jeopardize the job by asking for time off to take it in person, so I think I'll have to mail it.
Makes me nervous to mail my passport and such though - probably just the result of having been an expat for so long, haha.