Social Security Office on Edsall Rd (Arlington, Alexandria: legal, safe, licenses)

[capitalhockey]

Debating on whether to visit Social Security Office on Edsall Road (Alexandria). This is for a name change after marriage. How long is the wait in line? Should I book half a day or an entire day off work?

The website mentioned option of mailing in application but wasn't too clear on whether we need to mail in all original documents. I know they want original marriage certificate but they didn't mentioned if they want original social security card and original passport. I don't mind sending in photocopies of those. If they require originals, I don't feel safe sending my social security card and passport in the mail. It will be a major headache if both documents are lost. I rather do it in person and wait in line in the office.

Anyone with advice? Thanks!

[HokieFan]

If it were me, I would be waiting at the door when the office opens.

Here are a few comments on that particular office:

Social Security Administration - Alexandria, VA | Yelp

One person said they were there when the door opened and it was a 45 minute wait.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by capitalhockey

If they require originals, I don't feel safe sending my social security card and passport in the mail.

They do require the originals. I, too, felt unsafe sending originals, but there was no way I was going to spend hours in the SS office. So I risked it and it turned out perfectly fine. All documents were returned a couple of weeks later with the new social security card.

[car54]

I went there once....NEVER AGAIN.

I like the one on Waples Mill Rd (near Fair Oaks Mall). The Alexandria office is right in the heart of Immigrant Central....people that usually have more SSA business to conduct than most native folk.

[YellowKing]

I went once to get a replaced lost social security card. It was a miserable experience. I would suggest as other posters said and be there before it opens.

[Middlin]

It's been a long time but I went for the same reason to the one on Waples and waited less than an hour.

[capitalhockey]

Thanks all.

I just talked a rep at Social Security office. She told me they need a court document with the new name on it.

When we did our paperwork at Fairfax Court for marriage license/certificate, we both put down our names on the form. The clerk checked our driver licenses to verify ID. We were never told that we needed to put down the new name on the form. As a result, our marriage certificate has the original name. Now we have to do another court form called petition for name change with judge signature in order to provide the document to social security office.

Anyone has a similar experience?

[weezycom]

Call the SS office and make an appointment. Everyone I know who has had a time set to come in is seen on time and very efficiently (fwiw, these have always been folks retiring and needing to get that stuff straight). It's the show-up-and-hope that takes forever! You can set an appointment online and just bring all your original documents so you have whatever they need.

[Flamingo13]

Good luck w/trying to make an appt.! Even the "main" 800# person wasn't able to get through to this particular office to try to make an appt. - IMO, it's got to one of the worst ones in the area.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by capitalhockey

Thanks all.

I just talked a rep at Social Security office. She told me they need a court document with the new name on it.

When we did our paperwork at Fairfax Court for marriage license/certificate, we both put down our names on the form. The clerk checked our driver licenses to verify ID. We were never told that we needed to put down the new name on the form. As a result, our marriage certificate has the original name. Now we have to do another court form called petition for name change with judge signature in order to provide the document to social security office.

Anyone has a similar experience?

No - that sounds really weird. First, your are applying to get married, so the only names you can use are your actual legal names (not any new names). I just pulled out my marriage certificate (Arlington Co.) and the only names on there are our official legal names (rer-marriage). So, the "legal" document that is needed is the marriage certificate. As long as the new last name you are taking is the one of your new husband, that should be sufficient. It was for me (in 2006).

Originally Posted by capitalhockey

I just talked a rep at Social Security office.

Hmm...maybe this is why there is such consternation and delay at the SS office. Those that work there don't actually know what is needed?