Updating Social Security Status During COVID

[CerseiLan 2]

Hello, I was recently naturalized this month and I was wondering how was anyone able to update their Social Security status since  all SS Administration offices at the moment are closed. I called the nearest SSA office near me and they told me to mail my papers (naturalization cert) so they can update my status. I'm a bit worried with mailing the docs since it'll cost you 555 USD to replace it if the files went missing or lost. Our mails have been getting lost recently too so Im a bit paranoid by the idea. 

 

Question: Is mailing your naturalization cert the only way to update your Social Security Status at the moment?
If anyone had any experience with it, how long did it take for them to process it and return your paperworks?

[millefleur 5,047]

**Moved from US Citizenship Case Filing and Progress Reports to Passports, etc. - What to do now that you are a US citizen**

 

 

Someone just posted a similar thread, you might want to check it out:

 

 

[ThomasNC1988 762]

5 minutes ago, CerseiLan said:

Hello, I was recently naturalized this month and I was wondering how was anyone able to update their Social Security status since  all SS Administration offices at the moment are closed. I called the nearest SSA office near me and they told me to mail my papers (naturalization cert) so they can update my status. I'm a bit worried with mailing the docs since it'll cost you 555 USD to replace it if the files went missing or lost. Our mails have been getting lost recently too so Im a bit paranoid by the idea. 

 

Question: Is mailing your naturalization cert the only way to update your Social Security Status at the moment?
If anyone had any experience with it, how long did it take for them to process it and return your paperworks?

Could you mail them a US passport which is much cheaper to replace? Also if you don't have a US passport already, get that first. Once you have that the naturalization certificate becomes pretty much useless.

[CerseiLan 2]

Thanks for the quick reply! ThomasNC1988

Is it alright to apply for passport first before updating your Social Security status? I was under the impression that you need to update SS first before you're allowed to get a passport?

[lucardo3 220]

1 minute ago, CerseiLan said:

Thanks for the quick reply! ThomasNC1988

Is it alright to apply for passport first before updating your Social Security status? I was under the impression that you need to update SS first before you're allowed to get a passport?

Yes you can apply for passport first, and take care of SSN later. SSN is not really that important unless you are applying for benefits. it`s also riskier to send original certificate to SSN than passport centers IMO.

[ThomasNC1988 762]

4 minutes ago, CerseiLan said:

Thanks for the quick reply! ThomasNC1988

Is it alright to apply for passport first before updating your Social Security status? I was under the impression that you need to update SS first before you're allowed to get a passport?

Yes you can often apply for the passport at the naturalization ceremony.

 

 

1 minute ago, lucardo3 said:

Yes you can apply for passport first, and take care of SSN later. SSN is not really that important unless you are applying for benefits. it`s also riskier to send original certificate to SSN than passport centers IMO.

 Right? Social Security offices are a disconnected network of garbage.

 

 

[CerseiLan 2]

2 minutes ago, lucardo3 said:

Yes you can apply for passport first, and take care of SSN later. SSN is not really that important unless you are applying for benefits. it`s also riskier to send original certificate to SSN than passport centers IMO.

Thank you for the reply! I'll do that then.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

5 minutes ago, CerseiLan said:

Thanks for the quick reply! ThomasNC1988

Is it alright to apply for passport first before updating your Social Security status? I was under the impression that you need to update SS first before you're allowed to get a passport?

Yes some people don’t get to updating their SSN for years...it’s usually not a priority for folks unless you are disabled .

[Demian_Bones 11]

2 hours ago, CerseiLan said:

Hello, I was recently naturalized this month and I was wondering how was anyone able to update their Social Security status since  all SS Administration offices at the moment are closed. I called the nearest SSA office near me and they told me to mail my papers (naturalization cert) so they can update my status. I'm a bit worried with mailing the docs since it'll cost you 555 USD to replace it if the files went missing or lost. Our mails have been getting lost recently too so Im a bit paranoid by the idea. 

 

Question: Is mailing your naturalization cert the only way to update your Social Security Status at the moment?
If anyone had any experience with it, how long did it take for them to process it and return your paperworks?

I actually just went through the same process. I naturalized a couple of months ago and since I had opted for a name change I had no choice but to update my SSN as well since our local DMV wouldn't change my driver's license without going through the social security administration first. Like you, I had major reservations about mailing my original naturalization certificate as well as my name change petition (which was its own nightmare itself in terms of acquiring it) to the SSN office. Unlike you I had no choice but to send them in since I really need to update my driver's license. Fortunately, the process was smooth as I received both of my original documents back after like a week and then my updated SSN card about a week after that. I would say that if you're not changing your name then I would just really wait until things get back to normal and go in person. Hope that helps put you at ease.

Edited August 3, 2020 by Demian_Bones

[RunTheRoad 75]

15 hours ago, CerseiLan said:

Hello, I was recently naturalized this month and I was wondering how was anyone able to update their Social Security status since  all SS Administration offices at the moment are closed. I called the nearest SSA office near me and they told me to mail my papers (naturalization cert) so they can update my status. I'm a bit worried with mailing the docs since it'll cost you 555 USD to replace it if the files went missing or lost. Our mails have been getting lost recently too so Im a bit paranoid by the idea. 

 

Question: Is mailing your naturalization cert the only way to update your Social Security Status at the moment?
If anyone had any experience with it, how long did it take for them to process it and return your paperworks?

This is how I did it (in order): 1) Naturalized. 2) Registered to vote at my local County office. You need to submit copies of your Naturalization Cert and they may ask you to show the original. 3) Applied for my passport and passport card. You have to send in the original Naturalization Cert which will be returned to you in a separate mailing, after you receive your passport and passport card. 4) Received my passport and passport card. 5) Will now go to my local DMV to update records. DMVs are open but insanely crowded, so I will wait till things ease up. It is not a priority, at least for the next few days. 6) Will update my SSN records once the offices reopen. This would be the least of my priorities.  For # 5 and #6, you only need to submit photocopies of your documents but you may need to carry the originals with you, if they want to check.  #2 is also typically not a priority, unless you want to vote in a presidential primary. You can register to vote till 21 days before an election. I just got that one out of the way, because my County office is close by to where I live.

Please DO NOT send in your Naturalization Cert through mail for SSN updating. You don't want to take that risk.  My passport was processed remarkably quickly (within 10 days), but typical wait times are a few weeks to few months. 

Edited August 4, 2020 by RunTheRoad