Need a marriage certificate for social security survivor's benefits, how long?
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I think COVID and our administration slowing down mail service has put a hamper on me getting a copy of my marriage certificate from the state.
We were married 39 years and I don't think we ever had gotten an official certified marriage certificate in all this time. We did have our "certified" license from the church but that is basically not worth anything when you are dealing with insurance, social security, etc.
I've applied for one (actually 3 copies) through my home state where we were married. Been two weeks and no replies from them, tried calling and leaving messages to no avail. Would like to get social security survivor benefits straightened out as soon as possible. I'm probably asking too much! I always want everything done YESTERDAY :-).
The death certificate, in comparison, was pretty easy just want to the local vital records office for AZ and within an hour had 5 copies. Unfortunately, I can't do that as I live 1,300 miles from Iowa where we were married.
I think COVID and our administration slowing down mail service has put a hamper on me getting a copy of my marriage certificate from the state.
We were married 39 years and I don't think we ever had gotten an official certified marriage certificate in all this time. We did have our "certified" license from the church but that is basically not worth anything when you are dealing with insurance, social security, etc.
I've applied for one (actually 3 copies) through my home state where we were married. Been two weeks and no replies from them, tried calling and leaving messages to no avail. Would like to get social security survivor benefits straightened out as soon as possible. I'm probably asking too much! I always want everything done YESTERDAY :-).
The death certificate, in comparison, was pretty easy just want to the local vital records office for AZ and within an hour had 5 copies. Unfortunately, I can't do that as I live 1,300 miles from Iowa where we were married.
I went through the same thing last year and mine took about 3 weeks — before Covid. That’s the monkey wrench today.
Did you ask the Social Security office about the one you have? They might take that.
I think COVID and our administration slowing down mail service has put a hamper on me getting a copy of my marriage certificate from the state.
We were married 39 years and I don't think we ever had gotten an official certified marriage certificate in all this time. We did have our "certified" license from the church but that is basically not worth anything when you are dealing with insurance, social security, etc.
I've applied for one (actually 3 copies) through my home state where we were married. Been two weeks and no replies from them, tried calling and leaving messages to no avail. Would like to get social security survivor benefits straightened out as soon as possible. I'm probably asking too much! I always want everything done YESTERDAY :-).
The death certificate, in comparison, was pretty easy just want to the local vital records office for AZ and within an hour had 5 copies. Unfortunately, I can't do that as I live 1,300 miles from Iowa where we were married.
Sorry for your loss..
Did you try VitalCheck? On-line. The link below: it says 2-5 business days vs 4-6 weeks possibly directly.
You need to pay a bit more
I am not 100% sure, but you could apply for SS survivor benefit on-line? Then you just need to tell them your exact date of marriage and location of the marriage- you may not even need marriage certificate- SSA can look it up
Sorry for your loss..
Did you try VitalCheck? On-line. The link below: it says 2-5 business days vs 4-6 weeks possibly directly.
You need to pay a bit more
I am not 100% sure, but you could apply for SS survivor benefit on-line? Then you just need to tell them your exact date of marriage and location of the marriage- you may not even need marriage certificate- SSA can look it up
When I went last year, I was told that when I claimed widow’s benefits they had to be filed at the office. Also our full retirement age is different than what everybody else’s is. And Social Security wants everything handed to them, they don’t look anything up.
When I went last year, I was told that when I claimed widow’s benefits they had to be filed at the office. Also our full retirement age is different than what everybody else’s is. And Social Security wants everything handed to them, they don’t look anything up.
Thanks, I thought they try to do as much on-line as possible this year due to COVID
I think COVID and our administration slowing down mail service has put a hamper on me getting a copy of my marriage certificate from the state.
We were married 39 years and I don't think we ever had gotten an official certified marriage certificate in all this time. We did have our "certified" license from the church but that is basically not worth anything when you are dealing with insurance, social security, etc.
I've applied for one (actually 3 copies) through my home state where we were married. Been two weeks and no replies from them, tried calling and leaving messages to no avail. Would like to get social security survivor benefits straightened out as soon as possible. I'm probably asking too much! I always want everything done YESTERDAY :-).
The death certificate, in comparison, was pretty easy just want to the local vital records office for AZ and within an hour had 5 copies. Unfortunately, I can't do that as I live 1,300 miles from Iowa where we were married.
Did you order from Iowa Vital records? They are saying 4-6 weeks for regular mail.
Thanks, I thought they try to do as much on-line as possible this year due to COVID
It’s my understanding, certain things are more difficult than others to put online. There’s a lot of there’s a lot more paperwork involved with Widows benefits than there is regular benefits. My sister remembers that when my mom was collecting them it was under her Social Security number. But I’m pretty sure she’s wrong, because she was collecting my fathers benefits, so it would be under his Social Security number. I mean that’s a dumb thing to fight about but you know we’re sisters so… It’s always something.
I’ve already given them his death certificate, they’ve put it into the system. I got my grand $255 payout. I’m sorry, by the way, I think that’s funny — it’s just a funny amount. $263.47 is funnier but I’ll take 255.
And I got a copy with an embossed stamp for the wedding certificate. Because I was like you, mine has this look of something pulled out of a cracker jack box and not an official document.
So all the stuff I need is tucked away, cause I’m not ready to apply yet.
__________________ Solly says — Be nice!
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Solly says — Be nice!