SSN not yet arrived 1 month after immigration

[Jucah 0]

Hi all, I immigrated one month ago and have not gotten my SSN in the mail yet. The SSA office told me by phone that there is no record that it has even been started. But they say that in order for me to apply by mail, I would have to send my original passport by mail and that they will send it to me by regular mail (not tracked). I told them I cannot do this because it is my only piece of photo ID and my only proof that I am living in the USA legally, but they say that they won't accept a notarized copy of my passport. I don't know what to do. I don't want to send off my passport with green card stamp in it, risking it not returning. But I also can't wait to have my SSN because I really need my driver's license and they won't start it without an SSN. (Baby arriving in a few months and I need to be able to drive).

Should we contact a congressperson or obudsman? How do we know whom to contact?

Thanks for any tips or advice.

[JeanneAdil 6,504]

First of all did you mark the DS260 for USCIS to do the work for the SS #?  

next,  i don't blame you for not wanting to be without your proof of residency but we often have to send things like an original birth cerificate to get SS benefits or a naturalization certificate for the new US passport when citizenship is approved scary ,  yes!!!

you can wait for SS offices to open back up or

send the passport by certified mail with an enclosed self addressed certified mail envelope  inside for the return ]

when i send thing out like important documents,  i send a 8x11 manila envelope with a folded over 8x11 inside that i have paid for for the return 

certified USPS 

fed ex

or UPS 

and one of the following offices can help you with paying for both envelopes

and don't forget to copy the profile page of your passport before mailing it out

[Ontarkie 14,221]

~~Moved to SSN, form General Immigration Discussion~~

[RamonGomez 271]

If you are 12 or older, don't you need to apply in person? That's what we had to do for my stepdaughter. This is much preferable anyways since they'll make copies of the documents they need, and give them back to you on the spot. Call and ask how to make an appointment - offices are closed but most will still process new SSN applications. If you there are multiple offices in your area, call around until one lets you in. Keep calling and mention that the SSN is critical (you need it for insurance, to get stimulus payments, etc.)

Edited January 21, 2021 by RamonGomez

[Jucah 0]

On 1/19/2021 at 9:55 AM, JeanneAdil said:

First of all did you mark the DS260 for USCIS to do the work for the SS #?  

Yes, I did. According to the SSA up until today's date (more than 30 days after I entered) there has been no entry in my name for an SSN.

[Jucah 0]

On 1/20/2021 at 10:28 PM, RamonGomez said:

If you are 12 or older, don't you need to apply in person? That's what we had to do for my stepdaughter. This is much preferable anyways since they'll make copies of the documents they need, and give them back to you on the spot. Call and ask how to make an appointment - offices are closed but most will still process new SSN applications. If you there are multiple offices in your area, call around until one lets you in. Keep calling and mention that the SSN is critical (you need it for insurance, to get stimulus payments, etc.)

 

Thanks for this super helpful response.

 

So we called the local SSA office multiple times and were told multiple times that we could ONLY apply by mail, send all our original passports, and that they would send them back by normal mail. We refused. But after reading your comments and talking to the national SSA they told me too, that people should be able to apply in person, by appointment only.

 

Today I called the local office again and they told me a different story, that we could send in photocopies of original documents, then we would be phoned and told when we could come in for an appointment. But they were still telling me that it would take over two weeks to get another appointment due to slow mail.

 

Then I called another SSA office in a bigger city, since we are moving there soon, and they told me that whoever was telling me we had to mail in original documents and could not come in in person was crazy, and that they always have to see people in person to give an SSN. He was willing to book me in as soon as Monday (1 business day) to bring my original documents in for photocopying, and told me that I would get the SSN by mail in 7-10 days if I told them I need it soon. 

 

SO the biggest problem is resolved, no mailing in original documents. Still will probably be a few weeks until the SSN in here but at least the ball is rolling. Thanks for your help!