DW and I are "Naturalized" US Citizens - Do we Apply Online or Apply in Person for Social Security?

[cyber888]

I've done a search here on this particular forum.
And found that some people say that applying for SS Online (RECENTLY) is more difficult or impossible - if you're a Naturalized Citizen,
than if you have Birthright Citizenship. I also need to apply for my wife at the same time, and both of us are Naturalized US Citizen.
So it may be advisable to apply Face-to-Face?
If that is so, can I just walk in my nearest SS Office and get a Que Number and wait in Line ? or Call for an Appointment?
Can anyone share if they did it by walking into a Social security office.

I turn 62 on Jan. 2, 2025, so I think I can apply 4 months before .. or this coming Sept. 1 or 2, 2025.
I read that DOGE almost cut the budget for the Social Security Phone System, but they aborted that yesterday because of some backlash.
I'm just trying to find the quickest way to have a Smooth Application and get our SS check on time when I turn 62. Thanks!

 

[RetiredHappy]

I had difficulty in completing the online application because my country of birth was not listed. I managed to stay on the phone and after a very long hold, talked to an agent who set me up with a call because they no longer supported in person appointments for SS benefits application. But then while waiting a month out for the call, I tried the online application and this time I used "Other" option for country of birth. At the end of the application, it indicated that I had a phone appointment and that it would cancel it. I got my application approved within 5 days. So online application worked just fine! Note that I was filing on my own record and not spousal benefit. Otherwise, I suspect that it might have asked for marriage certificate etc.

 

[latexman]

I’d apply online and see how it goes.

 

[Alan]

Both my wife and I applied online and were only required to mail in our documents including Naturalization Certificates, no in-office visit for documents verification.

Good luck with the process. I too was shocked to hear about the phone service possibly being cut, but hopefully that won’t happen. I was recently on hold for over 3 hours but got through in the end.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

We did it all on line.

 

[cyber888]

Both my wife and I applied online and were only required to mail in our documents including Naturalization Certificates, no in-office visit for documents verification.

Good luck with the process. I too was shocked to hear about the phone service possibly being cut, but hopefully that won’t happen. I was recently on hold for over 3 hours but got through in the

So you just Photo-copied your Naturalization certificates .. did you have the photocopy "Notarized" ? Thanks.

 

[cyber888]

We did it all on line.

Ok. Did you talk to anyone .. or just pure online pricess, without talking to anybody?

 

[Alan]

We sent our original documents to the Federal Benefits Unit in the US London Embassy. They returned them a few days later. This was in 2021 when my wife applied, so I took the opportunity to get my documents registered at the same time.

 

[Aerides]

Given the recent staffing cuts, I'd probably go in person if you have a local office. Things seem to be changing every day, so I would apply as early as you can.

 

[ivinsfan]

I see conflicting info here about this subject..over 5 years I faced a similar situation. After some not very helpful phone calls, I decided to do an in person visit. We picked a Tuesday or Wednesday in the middle of the month and did a drop buy visit. Show up before the doors open wait in line , get a numbered ticket, and wait for your turn. Your mention your wife applying just be sure you both go and have all possible needed paperwork with you. This includes proof of marriage if applying for a spousal. ASIK the local office we worked with is still open for appointments. I never had much luck trying to accomplish this on the phone..

 

[ivinsfan]

Given the recent staffing cuts, I'd probably go in person if you have a local office. Things seem to be changing every day, so I would apply as early as you can.

This is the best option IMO for a lot of reasons...

 

[Alan]

Until you apply you won’t know what documents, if any, you need. From my experience we made a mistake when we became Naturalized. We immediately applied for and received our US passports, and presented both to our employer who recorded them. From that point on we have completed our IRS tax returns as US citizens. However, the different government departments don’t exchange information on this and when we applied for coverage for health insurance under the ACA we had to provide our Naturalization Certificate. When we applied for Medicare at age 60 we were told that we should really send in our Naturalization Certificate but this was April 2020 and the FBU agent in London (calling from his home) told us that the US Embassy was closed for the foreseeable future and we should send them in sometime in future. Our Medicare cards were still issued. The following year my wife applied for SS so we took the opportunity to send our documents in and get them recorded within SSA. That’s why I didn’t have to provide any documents this time when I applied online.

In retrospect we should have registered our Naturalization Certificates right after we got them. Back then it would have been very easy to go into a local SS office and get them witnessed and recorded.

 

[ivinsfan]

Agree Alan and that's why a person should have every piece of paperwork with them in person if they go to an office. I had my passport and marriage license. That should have been fine.. but I was asked for various paperwork dating back to the 50's when I was born in London as the child of active duty military. I had the paperwork with me but I wonder what would have happened if I just didn't have it period, it was over 60 years old.

 

[Alan]

Agree Alan and that's why a person should have every piece of paperwork with them in person if they go to an office. I had my passport and marriage license. That should have been fine.. but I was asked for various paperwork dating back to the 50's when I was born in London as the child of active duty military. I had the paperwork with me but I wonder what would have happened if I just didn't have it period, it was over 60 years old.

When I applied online a few months ago one of the screens that popped up was a list of documents required and there was nothing they needed. When I called and spoke to an agent in the USA a couple of weeks ago she confirmed that they didn’t need any more documents.

However, I agree with you that if you are going to turn up in person it will be best to have everything you think you might need.

 

[jollystomper]

DW is a naturalized citizen. She applied online. The only hiccup encountered was them initially questioning her birth location - the abbreviation for the country she was born in they read as a state abbreviation, and they said "we cannot find a city with that name in that state". She had to call and explain it to them; the response was "D'OH!", and the rest of the process proceeded smoothly.

 

[ivinsfan]

In today fast moving world something that happened 5 years might have no relevance today but covering all possible areas of questions beforehand can't hurt...