Replacing the SS card after getting the green card

[Shub 78]

Hey everyone,

I got my green card last February, no problems there.

Recently, and although I never really use my SS card for anything, it occurred to me that I could get the "not valid for work..." mention removed now that I have my green card.

Trouble is, the SSA is open from 9 to 4 Monday through Friday and I work from 8:30 to 5:30 Monday through Friday. In other words I have no way of going there in person unless I take off work, which I'd rather not.

I've consulted the SSA's web site and found this article, which says I can just send them an application by mail including my immigration papers. It specifies they only want "originals or copies certified by the issuing agency", and that they "cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents."

So since there is absolutely no way I'm gonna mail them any of my original documents (passport, green card, or God knows what else), let alone all of them, is there anything I can do to get my SS card replaced, besides mailing them originals or going to my SSA office in person?

I know they say they will return my documents "right away", but I don't trust them with that, and since I'm technically supposed to carry my green card with me at all times, I'd rather not part with it anyway.

And here's another question: am I expected (by law) to let the SSA know of my new status?

Help!

Oh, and please note it's OK to tell me I'm SOL if that's what I am; but if there is an alternative I didn't think of, let me know.

Thanks!

[motu 6]

Almost any reasonable boss will let you take off a few hours or even a day for this. On the other hand - you can keep working with your greencard and extension letters (when you are removing conditions) with your old SS card - you never have to change it if you don't want to. Good Luck

[I'm Gone 60]

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/ssa.cf...php?p_faqid=394

which says I can just send them an application by mail including my immigration papers. It specifies they only want "originals or copies certified by the issuing agency", and that they "cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents."

So since there is absolutely no way I'm gonna mail them any of my original documents (passport, green card, or God knows what else), let alone all of them, is there anything I can do to get my SS card replaced, besides mailing them originals or going to my SSA office in person?

I know they say they will return my documents "right away", but I don't trust them with that, and since I'm technically supposed to carry my green card with me at all times, I'd rather not part with it anyway.

And here's another question: am I expected (by law) to let the SSA know of my new status?

No way would I put my immigration documents in the mail. You have the chance of them getting lost on the way there and coming back.

You can have someone take the application in for you as long as you have signed the application and provided the required original documents, unless you live in an area covered by one of the Card Centers, then you must go into the Card Center to apply.

RM 00202.010 SSN Inquiries and Applications from Outside the FO Service Area

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100202010

C. Procedure - Mail Requests

NOTE: consider as a mail-in application, an application signed by the NH but brought into the office by someone else.

Where should I send my completed Application for a Social Security Card?"

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/ssa.cf...hp?p_faqid=1412

SSA doesn't care that you are now a permanent resident, but I would get the unrestricted SSN card. A lot of people get confused about the restriction, so better to not have to worry about it.

BTW When posting SSA FAQ URLs, you can get rid of everything to the right of the FAQ number in the URL and it still works.

[Shub 78]

Alright, that makes sense; thanks!

I have a doctor appointment which will allow me to take off work for half a day in a couple of weeks, I think I'll try to couple that with a quick (hopefully) visit to my local SSA office.

It's still ####### though.