1. Your birth certificate
As a general rule, the Social Security Administration will demand your birth certificate when applying for benefits in order to prove your age. According to Christine O’Donnell, a retirement planning strategist and president of CR O’Donnell & Associates in Castle Pines, Colorado the SSA wants your birth certificate in original.
Can’t find your birth certificate? Well… you must get a replacement! You can do that by contacting the office of vital records in the state you were born.
2. Proof of U.S. citizenship
Along with your birth certificate, the Social Security Administration will also want to make sure that you’re a U.S. citizen. So, a U.S. birth certificate or a U.S. passport can be used as a proof. Also, note that notarized copies or photocopies won’t be accepted by the SSA.
That’s why you should look after your birth certificate and passport.
