The US Social Security Administration

I walked in over an hour ago and took a #. I am A23 and they had just called A1 when I arrived so I knew there would be a wait. However, there is an entire room full of people waiting and so far, there have been 3x when there has been only 1 window open (they have 3 people total). I’m sorry, but I find this unacceptable! Open only an hour and 66.66 666% of the staff is not available with Windows completely closed??? Even on a bathroom break it should only be one at a time. Please help me understand, oh SSA gods!

I arrived at this location about 15 minutes after they opened. Previous reviews helped me. I did street parking on Ash and entered on that side for a new card. I was in and out within 45 minutes. Very efficient and pleasant people working there.

We arrived at the perfect time on a Tuesday morning (10am) and was out of there less than 30 minutes. Hooray!
If you can find street parking or know of any cheaper parking structures/​spaces, park there.
Parking across the street cost me $ 15 (for 10 hours, and you couldn’t choose a much lesser time/​cheaper fee).

While parking in downtown is always a pain (and usually expensive), my experience in this office was excellent. I parked in the pay lot across the street ($ 15) and when I got to the Ash Street side of the building for a name change, there were only about six people ahead of me. The security guard opened the office about 5 minutes early and started letting people in. Everyone I spoke with was so friendly and pleasant – not at all like the DMV. Overall, I was in and out in 10 minutes!

My recent visit here took less than 20 mins!
I’ve read reviews before going here so I came prepared with my documents for name change. I also filled out the application available online. Upon arriving at 8:40am, there were already people lined up. Maybe about 10 people. Few minutes before 9am, the security officer opened the door and made sure that everyone waiting were here for SS card issues. Another employee was helping each person to get their ticket number. My ticket was issued at 9:01am and by 9:10am I was called to the window. Few minutes later, I was on my way back to my car! I was so surprised and actually really impressed about their services. I was assured that my card will arrive within the next 5 – 7 business days.
My advice is to get here as early as you can (if possible) so you’ll be in and out within minutes. They opened up 5 windows right away and that also helped with the quickness of their service. For parking, circle the area first and snag the first street spot you see! Waaaay cheaper than the paid lots that are about $ 13-​$ 15.
Also for Card Services it’s at 109 W Ash St :)

Went to change my name. The staff are all very polite and i was that it was so quick i was in and out in 40 mins. If u have any business to take care of at ss I recommend you go to this one on front st.

I heard all the bad reviews and how tough it is to deal with SSA, and my colleagues didn’t improve the image with their horror stories of their visits and regarding lack of professionalism or what not, but I am certain they didn’t visit this office.
To start with, I just arrived in the US for work reasons and had to get new SSN ASAP. I drove down to this office (which is a bit hard to find for new ones), and marched in. The nice security guard asked what my quest was, I told the problem at hand. He gave me a pen, paper and holder; asked me to get a number from machine, fill in the form and wait for my number to be called. I conveniently waltzed past the machine and took a chair, Ever alert security guard noticed this and pointed me to the machine, I asked him again how it worked and he walked with me to the machine, telling me I needed to press button to get a number.
I got a number, filled in my form, waited around 10 minutes until my name was called. The forms and signatures and Q&A took another 25 minutes though and I was done. In less than 1 hour, walk in on Thursday afternoon and get done with SSN application. SSA officer asked me to pick it up at this office since they don’t send it to the hotel. I needed it urgently, so I came to this office again, a few days earlier than appointment date and lo and behold my SSN card is available. Took card, said thanks and got my bank stuff sorted out.
My colleagues don’t like my story; they hate me even more when I tell them my initial experience at DMV offices. Perhaps I am lucky, we will see.

I’ve been avoiding the social security office since I got married to hanged my name. But I took the day off to start the process. The security guard is amazing. There is NO one here to help anyone. No front desk. But the security guy went above and beyond to help people. There was an elderly Asian woman who spoke no English. She seemed nervous and upset she knew no English. I sat he down a assured someone would help her with the application and would be taken care of. She sat back down and waited.

I must agree with the majority of the reviews here — Surprisingly, a relatively painless experience for a Government office!
I needed to get a replacement for my Social Security card and the downtown location was the closest office to where I live. I printed out the replacement form from their website (HIGHLY recommend to do this instead of waiting to do it onsite) and scored street parking a block away from the office.
I arrived at 8:40am to the Card Office whose entrance is off of Ash Street –for all other services, head on over to the Front Street entrance. There were 3 people in line before me but the security guy opened the front door about 5 min before 9am. He gave everyone a ticket once you checked in.
Barely 2 minutes after being seated, I was called up to the window. The rep asked me a few questions and barely 5 minutes later, I was out the door with the promise that my replacement card would be in the mail within 7 – 10 business days. I actually received it three days later… totally quick.
The entire process was smooth, efficient and most importantly – not at all traumatizing. Perks – the facility and the restrooms were clean and well kept.
Highly recommend.

Not helpful at all. Left me a message with the wrong telephone number. After six calls did not resolve my issue. Use the toll free national number of better service.

Not as bad as i thought my experience would be here.
I imagined DMV style lines and service. It was not at all the case.
There are 2 entrances, one is for SS benefits and the second one if for getting our SSN number and other matters with SSN.
When i came in, a nice security officer asked me what is the matter i came to resolved, i explained and he showed me to the machine where you get the appropriate number. There were around 20 pple in the room when i walked in. it was around 10 am in the morning. The office opens at 9.
The line moved pretty quickly and it took me exactly one hour from entering the building to exiting to complete my entire visit to SS administration office.

Overall, I was pleased with my experience. I went in to change my last name after I got married. I randomly decided to stop in around 9:30am and was out by 10:30am on a Thursday. Not bad! But apparently it could have gone a lot faster.
There were a few things wrong with the process that I want to mention. For starters, if you are there for a last name change… whatever number your ticket spits out, make sure is starts with the letter A. I pushed the wrong button so I got a J-​number and was waiting for about 50 minutes. The A numbers go super fast, so keep that in mind.
Another thing, I wasn’t aware they expect you to bring your original social security card. I thought I was going to be turned away but he let me proceed without it. So if you have it, bring it just in case another clerk isn’t so nice.
Lastly, just be sure you have the following: a completed application, original marriage certificate and proof of U.S. citizenship (I used my passport). With those 3 things, you should be good to go. But if you do have your original SS card, bring that too just to be extra safe.
And as most people have said, the entrance isn’t as obvious as the address. It’s actually on Ash St. across the paid parking lot.
Good luck!

I went in unplanned to the social security to change my name after marriage. I was expecting some crazy 4 hour wait like the DMV but I was only there for about 30 minutes. Great and quick service. Very polite security and desk clerks. I was at the desk and out the door very happy with my experience and my new name change make sure you go to the office around the corner of the actual 1331 address, that’s where they do the SSN cards.
Definitely yes!
#YelpByJustine

This place actually went great. Got there Monday at 8:20am after parking in the parking structure down below, and had all my paperwork filled out. There were only 3 people in front of me in line, and a nice place to sit while we waited. Doors opened right at 9, maybe even 8:59. The «guard» at the front (Curtis I think) was very helpful and made the whole experience better. Took a number, and was out and back down to my car by 9:15!
One piece of advice, make sure you line up at the right door. I heard some people line up on the other side of the building, and it isn’t very clear. The address should be 1333 Front Street.

In and out on a Tuesday at 12:30 in 15 minutes. No line and everyone was helpful and nice. Parking was easy.

This place makes the DMV look like child’s play.
Absolutely no appointments, and make sure you have all the correct paperwork before you roll into this place.
You will wait longer than two hours, so make sure to park in a lot vs. at a meter. If you leave to feed the meter and they call your number, you miss out on your turn and need to start over. The waiting area is crowded and once it reaches capacity, security makes you wait outside — rain or shine, newborns or disabled alike.

Like all of the other reviews suggest, line up before the doors open, have all of your supporting documents and completed forms ready, and you’ll be in and out in 15 minutes.
Purpose for my visit was a last name change. I got to the office door at 8:40 AM on a Wednesday morning and there were 3 people in line ahead of me. Doors opened promptly at 9 AM. 15 minutes later, I was all done and back in my car heading for work.
Office was clean and organized, workers were polite and efficient.

I went to the Card Center to change my name after getting married. I work downtown, and went first thing in the morning since I figured it would get busier as the day went on.
The doors to the Social Secuirty office open at 9. I got to the builing around 8:40, and I was the 4^th person in line when I got there. Not too bad.
After the Security Guard opened the door, he led us to get a number and asked everyone if they had filled out the necessary form. I was in and out in less than 10 minutes. It wasn’t bad at all. Easy, Fast, and was able to stop for coffee on the way back.
Please note, that there is no private lot for the Social Security Office. There is meter or private parking lots that you have to pay to use (usually $ 5 for 1^st hour) The Social Security Office does NOT validate parking.

Friday afternoon. No appointment. I could not find a section on the website to schedule an appointment, otherwise I would have scheduled one. No problem. I came prepared… time was on my side. Thankfully too, because I waited 42 minutes, and all I needed was 5. If your thinking I’m OCD… I am! But, that’s beside the point. When you have the ticket printed up, the time is printed on it. From the time I received the ticket to the time I was called up, it was 42 minutes.
The man at the counter could of been friendlier. I was having a great day, and I was not going to allow him to ruin it. He seemed to be satisfied that I had the form completed already, and that I had the necessary paperwork to complete my transaction. Here’s a bit of advice. You get more bees with honey than with vinegar. I guess when you work for public service, you can have whatever attitude you want. Even if it’s negative. I asked him, how he was, and he said fine. He also said he was extremely busy. That line gets old, and to me means nothing. Come to my job, and I will show you busy. This is why I give this office a 4 star and not a 5.
What surprised me, was the security person — secretary at the front door. No disrespect, but you are. How can we help you? Please go get a ticket, and complete the form, than wait to be called by the number. He was helpful and friendly. As I was walking out he tells me to have a great day! I did. Thank you.
I hope you have a good experience as I did… and if you find that I can schedule an appt… send me a message. Thanks!

After you’re married and obtain an official copy of your marriage license at the County Clerk’s Office, Social Security is the next stop on your name change journey – should you choose to change your name, that is. I visited this Social Security Administration office for this reason twice in recent months and have to say that, despite my dreading the crowds/​lines, stress was very minimal.
Walk in the entrance dedicated to SS cards, take a number from the little machine, and have a seat until your number is called. I was prepared for my visit with my marriage license, current SS card, and multiple forms of photo ID; however, there was quite a surprise in store for me on the other side of the glass. After the employee took down all my information, she printed out some paperwork and asked me to verify the info. I noticed my birth date was off by one digit and told her so, thinking the mistake was simply due to a typo on her part. Nope, turns out the Social Security Administration has had my wrong birth date on file for over 20 years. Kinda scary, huh? That put an abrupt stop to my name change process that day; I was asked to return with my birth certificate that reflects my correct birth date.
My next visit to the office went smoothly, and my new SS card with my new last name arrived in the mail in the promised time frame. Most pleasant about my late Friday afternoon trips here was that the wait wasn’t very long at all. I’ve heard that lines are longest first thing in the morning and especially on Mondays, but, honestly, I decided on Friday afternoon for reasons of personal convenience.
Bathroom could have used a cleaning, but, other than that and the repeating cheesy propaganda on the TV, I had a 4-​star government agency experience.
I hope your trip to this Social Security Administration office goes as nicely as mine… well, with the exception of the wrong birthday thing!