Lost SSN many years ago - is it really necessary?

[Permacyclists 0]

Hello VJ'ers!

Here's the situation:

We are applying for a green card for my wife (I am USC), we've been through USCIS and paid our fees - at the bottom of form DS-230, it asks if you have ever applied for an SSN and if so what the number was...

My wife did indeed have a SSN once, in 2001, when she spent a summer working in the US with a J-1 visa. No matter how we have torn apart the boxes in her attic though, we can't find that card or anything which shows what that number was.

So I called the NVC. They say that we have to have that number, but have no suggestions on how to get it beyond eventually saying "Call Social Security?"

So I called Social Security, and they seem genuinely confused. At first they said she has to come into the office with photo ID and proof of residence to request her replacement card. When I explained that we don't live in the US, they said that the old number was probably expired and useless. But when I said that we needed it for the form, they finally suggested maybe we get in touch with the nearest US consulate to ask for help.

Well, the consulate is closed today, so I thought I would put it out there to VJ'ers - do we really need this number? Any thoughts on how to get it? My wife now has an International Taxpayer Identification Number - could I include that one instead?

Any help would be greatly appreciated - we're so close to the end and this is the first problem we've had! Ugh!

Thanks!

-Dave

Edited March 12, 2013 by Permacyclists

[izabela 10]

If she filed for tax return in 2002, there might be a chance that she sent the scanned forms to the agency that handled her tax return, which should contain her SSN. She should try searching her e-mails sent in that period, maybe she will find it. At least, that's how I found mine after days of panicking

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hello VJ'ers!

Here's the situation:

We are applying for a green card for my wife (I am USC), we've been through USCIS and paid our fees - at the bottom of form DS-230, it asks if you have ever applied for an SSN and if so what the number was...

My wife did indeed have a SSN once, in 2001, when she spent a summer working in the US with a J-1 visa. No matter how we have torn apart the boxes in her attic though, we can't find that card or anything which shows what that number was.

So I called the NVC. They say that we have to have that number, but have no suggestions on how to get it beyond eventually saying "Call Social Security?"

So I called Social Security, and they seem genuinely confused. At first they said she has to come into the office with photo ID and proof of residence to request her replacement card. When I explained that we don't live in the US, they said that the old number was probably expired and useless. But when I said that we needed it for the form, they finally suggested maybe we get in touch with the nearest US consulate to ask for help.

Well, the consulate is closed today, so I thought I would put it out there to VJ'ers - do we really need this number? Any thoughts on how to get it? My wife now has an International Taxpayer Identification Number - could I include that one instead?

Any help would be greatly appreciated - we're so close to the end and this is the first problem we've had! Ugh!

Thanks!

-Dave

If you were in the US it would be as simple as going to the local SSA office, waiting, waiting, waiting, and waiting and then showing ID and stating you lost your SSC and need a replacement and also request a printout with the number. Maybe the Consulate can help, I do not know. Calling the SSA might work, but they will not give out the information over the phone and they would want to mail it and would probably not mail it to a foreign address. As I always tell my wife,it is not the card that is important, it is the number and you really need to memorize it. She has yet to do so, so I have it memorized for her just incase.

Sorry I cannot be of much help. If all else fails, you can complete the form stating she applied for a SSN, but it is not known at this time. That number is hers and when you finally find it or are able to retreive it, you can put it on the forms and they will eventually link up all her files.

Good luck,

Dave

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You can only give them what you have. If you don't know your wife's SSN, just say so.

[jhm3 15]

If you're in Belgium, it looks like the relevant Social Security/Federal Benefits office for you is the one at the embassy in London. According to their website (http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/faqs/faq_fbu_ssn.html), you can submit a request for verification of a forgotten SSN via e-mail, and they will mail you the number within 3 business days:

"5. I have a Social Security number, but do not remember the number. How can I find out my Social Security number?

"Complete the Request for Verification of a Social Security Number (click HERE to download a PDF of SSN Verification - PDF, 216kb). The form can be emailed or mailed to the Federal Benefits Unit, (see: How do I contact the London Federal Benefits Unit?). We will mail you a verification of your Social Security Number within 3 business days.

"To ensure your privacy we are unable to disclose the social security number to you by telephone or email."

[Permacyclists 0]

Thanks jhm3 - I actually spoke with them yesterday and worked this out and was hoping to post just what you you say in case anyone else is curious to know the response.

Apparently no matter what the folks at the Social Security Administration say, SSN do not expire, so no matter how long ago it was, you have to have it for the form and for your taxes in the US, etc.

The UK Embassy handles requests in 3 business days, so it's not even such a pain to deal with.

Thanks for the help guy!

-Dave

[ceadsearc 516]

Thanks jhm3 - I actually spoke with them yesterday and worked this out and was hoping to post just what you you say in case anyone else is curious to know the response.

Apparently no matter what the folks at the Social Security Administration say, SSN do not expire, so no matter how long ago it was, you have to have it for the form and for your taxes in the US, etc.

The UK Embassy handles requests in 3 business days, so it's not even such a pain to deal with.

Thanks for the help guy!

-Dave

Glad you got it sorted out. Also, interesting to know how to get the number if you are abroad and forgot it - didn't know it was possible! And nope, SSNs do not expire. In rare cases someone may be reassigned a new number but that is only in extenuating circumstances (think witness protection, etc.)