Social Security Card and Birth Certificate
 

I'm going to need a copy of my SS card and my Birth certificate. I'm pretty sure I had them in a black bag, the problem is, this bag has gone AWOL. Does anyone know how I can get copies of both of these in case I can't find them in my house?

Your County Courthouse and Social Security office.

I wish this thread was open to additional replies. ARTelevision has summed it up too well.

A slight addition. You need to contact the county courthouse (or equivelant) for the county where your birth was registered (this may not be the county you live in now). They may require a notarized request.

Any social security office will do, again proof of identity will be required. Do not delay. These are not "on demand" items, and must be mailed to you. Be patient. These people do not make things as easy as you may like to deter the identity theives out there.

Ratman is absolutely right: it took me about six months to get my birth certificate.

I mailed in a request that included specific information:
Full names of father, mother, child (me). DOB, Place of birth, where to send the birth certificate to and, most importantly, a check. At that time (1997) it was $13 for an Los Angeles county request.

Sometimes it is the county courthouse and sometimes it is the state office in the capital city of the state in which you were born. Your best bet is to look up the government pages in your local phone book and make calls to a Department of Vital Statistics or some such. Usually there is an information number for the whole government that you can call, and they can direct you to the correct place.

If you want an ss card fast why not photoshop one up. I swear for something considered so important they are pretty damn cheesy and simple.

*This is a joke. I am not advocating document fraud.

For the birth certificate, contact your local state representative. I had a need for an official one on short notice, and I was able to get one in a couple of days. Politicians are always looking to do things for their constituents - leads to a potential future vote that they won't need to buy.

Remember in the future to keep these someplace where they will absolutely not be forgotten nor lost. A lockbox in a desk is usually a good idea. I keep mine in a black book with the rest of my vitals.

Losing these things are a hassle, especially when you need them on short notice.

I don't think anybody's said this -- maybe it's obvious. But you need your birth certificate to get a new social security card. That and some kind of official picture ID. So the drill is 1) birth certificate, 2) SS card.

One note for general consumption. If you have a valid _or expired_ U.S. passport hanging around, I am told that it can substitute for the birth certificate at the social security office. Maybe double-check this one, but I think it's true.

I used my passport to get my social security card (I really don't want to shorten that to SS card... how about SSA - for administration). Here's a nickel's worth of free advice: if you don't have a passport, get one!! It's not that much hassle if you aren't in a hurry, and they're good for 10 years. Don't be that guy trying to rush one through. Been there, done that.

Actually, in the case of my birth certificate, I only had to go to the courthouse and they were able to provide me with two copies for a nominal fee (I think I paid $10 or something like that). I walked out with them about 5 minutes after I walked in. In the case of the Social Security card, once the number is issued (which is what usually takes the time, I understand) I believe (but I'm not positive) that they can issue a replacement fairly quickly...whether it's on-the-spot or via mail, I really couldn't tell you. Which is sad, as one of my friends works for the Social Security Administration!