How to Verify Your Identity With Social Security

Whether you sign up through Login.gov or ID.me, you’ll be asked to enter your Social Security number and upload pictures of your photo ID. Login.gov will then request a selfie photo, while ID.me will ask you to make a selfie video or dial into a video call.

The providers match the photo or video image to the photo from your ID and match the address associated with your Social Security number to the address on your ID. You’ll get a code to verify your phone number and a recovery code in case you forget the password you set up earlier in the process.

Once your account is established, you’re set — you won’t need to verify your identity again to use Social Security services online, other than going through multifactor authentication when you log in.

Verifying your identity in person

If you choose to apply for benefits at your local Social Security office, bring at least one of the following, which the SSA accepts as “primary” forms of ID:

• An unexpired, state-issued driver’s license
• An unexpired, state-issued identification card
• An unexpired U.S. passport or passport card

Bring the originals; photocopies will not be accepted.

If you don’t have any of these primary documents, the SSA may accept a “secondary” form of ID, such as a U.S. military identification card, a tribal ID document, a certification of naturalization or U.S. citizenship, or a health insurance or Medicaid card.

Identity verification at a Social Security office is not permanent. You’ll have to bring the same documents if you need to return to the office for any service that requires an identity check, such as changing your direct deposit information. For most in-person services, you need to call ahead to make an appointment.

Verifying your identity by phone

If you call the SSA’s national 800 number, your identity can be verified in one of two ways: You’ll be asked tailored questions that presumably only you can answer, or you’ll be asked to use your My Social Security account credentials to generate a unique code to share with the SSA agent.

The first method is called knowledge-based authentication. The questions, which might be asked by an agent or a bot, are based on your personal data on file with the SSA, public records and credit history. Generated in real time, they are designed to be specific and detailed enough so that only you can correctly answer them. Questions vary for each caller.

If you do not have a My Social Security account, knowledge-based authentication is your only option for proving your identity when calling the SSA. If you have an account, you will be able to use the other method, called the security authorization PIN process, or SAP.

SAP is mandatory if you are calling to report a change in your direct deposit information. In other circumstances, such as applying by phone for retirement or survivor benefits, it is optional — you can still use knowledge-based authentication. But the SSA says using SAP will save you about three minutes once you connect with an agent.

• While on the phone with the SSA agent, go to ssa.gov/PIN in your internet browser and log in with your My Social Security account ID and password.
• You’ll land on a page where you can generate a one-time code to share with the SSA agent.
• The agent will verify your code to confirm your identity and proceed with the transaction. (If verification fails, they will not proceed, but you can try again using a newly generated code or try knowledge-based authentication instead.)

Social Security has an online FAQ page with more information on identity proofing. And remember: The SSA will not call, text or email to ask for personal information to confirm your identity or to continue paying benefits. If you receive such a message, it’s a scam.