Ambassade et consulats des
États-Unis d’Amérique en France

How do I apply for a Social Security number for my child UNDER the age of 12?

Provide the following original documents, or a copy certified by the agency that issued the original document, or a copy certified by the US Consular services – photocopies are not acceptable.

The completed application and documents should be mailed to: US Embassy, FBU, 4 Ave Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 8.

Do NOT mail any original documents from abroad to France.

If you reside in SWITZERLAND, you should contact the US Embassy in Bern to get the original documents certified and then send the certified copies with the SS-5 application by post to Paris. American Embassy, FBU, 4 Ave Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08. To contact the US Embassy in Bern you can consult: https://ch.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/social-security/ssa-certcopies/

If you reside in one of the AFRICAN COUNTRIES that FBU Paris serves, you should get the original dcouments certified by your US Consulate and then send the certifiied copies with the SS-5 application by post to Paris. American Embassy, FBU, 4 Ave Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08.

Applicants residing in FRANCE should send the original documents by post along with a prepaid return envelope.

Complete an Application for a Social Security Card, page 5 of the Form SS-5-FS (https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5fs.pdf) – all questions must be answered and legible and the form must be signed.

1. Proof of the child’s birth

• Original U.S. birth certificate or Original U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Original French birth record
• If the child was born in the U.S., Form SSA- L706 (click here to download SSA-L706) should be completed, signed and submitted along with the application and other documentation. This allows the Social Security Administration to verify the birth record with the custodian of the record.

2. Proof of the child’s U.S. Citizenship

• Original U.S. birth certificate,
• OR
• Original U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Original signed U.S. passport.

3. Proof of the child’s identity

• Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed OR
• Original French/Swiss Passport or French Identity card, must be current and signed OR
• A Passport or national identity card issued by another country may be acceptable, please contact the Federal Benefits Unit for advice before submitting.

4. Proof of the identity of the parent signing the application

• Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed
• OR
• Original French/Swiss Passport or French identity card, must be current and signed (NOT French carte de séjour)
• A Passport or national identity card issued by another country may be acceptable, please contact the Federal Benefits Unit for advice before submitting.

5. Provide a prepaid self-addressed envelope (e.g. Chronopost for France, Colissimo, a lettre suivie, or Lettre recommandée avec avis de réception) 500g for return of the original documents.

How do I apply for a Social Security number for myself OR my child OVER the age of 12?

Anyone over the age of 12 filing for the first time must present themselves in person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Arrange a visit to your local Embassy or Consulate

You must also complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS  – all questions must be answered and legible.

You must provide the following original documents – we do not accept photocopies.  It will expedite your visit to the Embassy if you bring in your original documents AND photocopies.   We will review and retain the photocopies, and return your original documents to you.

Proof of birth

• • Original U.S. birth certificate, Original U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Original birth certificate other than the documents mentioned above.
  • If you or the child was born in the U.S. you must submit documentary proof that you or the child has resided outside of the U.S.  The Proof of Residency is needed to explain why a Social Security number has not been issued in the past.  The proof should cover a significant portion of the entire period of time you or the child has been outside of the U.S.
  • If you or the child was born in the U.S., Form SSA- L706 must also be completed, signed and submitted along with the application and other documentation. This allows the Social Security Administration to verify the birth record with the custodian of the record.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship

• • Original U.S. birth certificate

OR

• • Original U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad

OR

• • Original Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate

Proof of identity

• • Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed

OR

• • Original French passport or French Identity card, must be current and signed
  • A Passport or national identity card issued by another country may be acceptable, please contact the Federal Benefits Unit for advice
  • Proof of the identity of the parent signing the application, if applicable – a parent can sign the form for a child up to age 18; a child can sign the form above age 12.
  • Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed

OR

• • Original French passport or French identity card, must be current and signed (NOT French carte de sejour)
  • A Passport or national identity card issued by another country may be acceptable, please contact the Federal Benefits Unit for advice

 

How do I report Non-Receipt of payment?

If you receive paper checks, you must wait until after the 25th of the month to report non-receipt of your payment.  We cannot take action until this date.

If you have bank direct deposit, please contact the bank first.  Then, contact us if the payment has not reached your bank account by the 10th of the month.  When reporting non-receipt, please tell us the date the check was supposed to be paid or deposited.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  If you did not receive a payment in the month of February of any year, your payments may have been suspended if we did not receive the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire returned timely.  Checks are stopped in February of every year if we do not receive the questionnaire.  Depending on the country you reside, the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire may be sent every year or every other year.  The questionnaires are mailed out in the spring, and a follow-up mailing is sent in the fall.

If you have not received the Questionnaire, please Contact us.

 

I have lost or misplaced my (or my child’s) Social Security Card. I am (or my child is) a U.S. citizen or legal Permanent Resident Alien. How can I find out my Social Security Number? How do I replace the card?

You should apply for a replacement card even if you cannot recall your Social Security Number.  Complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS – all questions must be answered and legible.

Provide an original identity document – a photocopy is not acceptable. The completed application and identity document should be mailed to our office.

Suitable proof of identity documents:

• • Original U.S Passport, must be current and signed;
  • Original Permanent Resident Alien card, must be current;
  • Original U.S. state driver’s license, must be current;
  • Original French Passport is acceptable, but must be accompanied by proof of U.S. citizenship such as a Naturalization certificate or U.S. birth certificate
  • A Passport or national identity card issued by another country may be acceptable if your U.S. citizenship is already properly established on your Social Security record. Please contact the Federal Benefits Unit for advice.

If the replacement card is for a child, we need to see proof of identity for both the child and the parent who signs the form.

SSN needed for U.S. PASSPORT application:  If you cannot recall your (or your child’s) Social Security Number and need it for a U.S. Passport application you should apply for a replacement SSN card, per instructions above.  Please expect to wait at least one month for the replacement card application to be processed and the card mailed from the U.S. Note: This process cannot be expedited.

If the name on your identity document differs from the name on your last Social Security Number record, see below for instructions on how to change the name on your record.

 

How do I report Change of Address?

For faster service, send this information using one of the methods described here.

You must provide your new and old address.

If you reside outside the U.S. for over 3 months, you must change your address to the foreign address.

If you are moving from the U.S. to an overseas location such as France, you must complete and sign form SSA-21.

 

How do I record my new name or maiden name?

To amend your Social Security record to your new name or maiden name, complete SS-5 application form (page 5)

Send it to us with the originals of your:

• • Valid Identity document (passport, French CNI, US driver’s license)

• • Proof of US Citizenship   (US passport /US birth record/Naturalization certificate/
    US Consular Report of Birth Abroad)
  • Proof of the name change  (Your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing both names)

All originals will be returned to you right away.  You may enclose a self-addressed envelope to expedite the return of the documents to you.

Please count a delay of 4 to 8 weeks before receiving your amended card.

 

How do I report Death of a Beneficiary?

There may be benefits due to survivors, and a prompt notification will prevent possible overpayments which must be repaid.

Any payments sent the month after the beneficiary dies must be returned to Social Security. If you do not have a death certificate yet, do not wait to report a death of a beneficiary receiving payments.

Contact Us immediately to report the death.

 

Information about Retirement Benefits

Please visit this website page for information on Retirement Benefits.

 

Information about Disability Benefits

Please visit this website page for information on Disability Benefits.

 

How do I apply to become a Representative Payee for Incapable Beneficiaries (and other issues about Representative Payees)?

Information for representative payees and their obligations can be found at www.ssa.gov/payee.

For assistance, please Contact Us.

 

How do I request a Benefits Verification?

For yearly benefits statements, request the Form SSA-1099/1042S. You will receive the form by mail at the address you have registered with the Social Security Administration.

For monthly benefits statements, please Contact Us by email and explain the reasons why you need such a statement.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This service is available during the following hours:

• • Weekdays: 11:00 AM – 7:00 AM
  • Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 AM
  • Sunday: 2:00 PM – 5:30 AM
  • Holidays: 11:00 AM – 7:00 AM

 

How do I enroll to or terminate Medicare Benefits?

For more information about Medicare visit the Website: Medicare.gov or SSA’s information on Medicare or the Social Security Website.

To terminate Medicare Part B, please mail a signed statement requesting to terminate Medicare Part B.  Include your name, address, date of birth and Social Security Number.

Sign and date the statement and mail it to:

American Embassy

Federal Benefits Unit/OAS

 

How can I find more information about the Windfall Elimination Provision which may reduce my Social Security benefits because of other pensions i receive?

The Windfall Elimination Provision is a Social Security law that applies to beneficiaries who are receiving full benefits from different pension agencies i.e. a pension from France and a pension from the Social Security Administration.  As a result, your Social Security Pension will be reduced by a certain percentage; depending on the amount of “years of substantial earnings”, you have contributed towards Social Security.

For more information concerning the Windfall Elimination Provisions please see:

• • Windfall Elimination Provision (PDF)
  • Totalization Agreement with France

The Windfall Elimination Provision does not apply if:

• • Your foreign pension is based on totalization agreement with the U.S (in the case of French pension “retraite attribuée en application de la convention franco-américaine”.)
  • You are a federal worker first hired after December 31, 1983;
  • You were employed on December 31, 1983, by a nonprofit organization that did not withhold Social Security taxes from your pay at first, but then began withholding Social Security taxes from your pay;
  • Your only pension is based on US railroad employment;
  • The only work you did where you did not pay Social Security taxes was before 1957; or
  • You have 30 or more years of substantial earnings under Social Security. See chart on page 4 of the publication on subject Windfall Elimination Provision (PDF)

 

How can I find more information about Totalization Agreements and International Programs?

The United States has bilateral Social Security agreements with 24 countries most commonly known as Totalization Agreements. The agreements improve benefit protection for workers who have divided their careers between the United States and another country. They also eliminate dual Social Security coverage and taxes for multinational companies and expatriate workers. See an overview of the agreement between USA and France.

You can obtain your Social Security Statement online at my Social Security if you have a US, APO, DPO, or FPO address. The My Social Security system requires address verification as one of the essential criteria for establishing an account. The system does not support foreign addresses.

If you are unable to establish an online account, you can receive the Social Security Statement by completing the Form SSA-7004.(PDF-666Kb).

The completed form must be mailed to:

Social Security Administration
Wilkes Barre Data Operations Center
P.O. Box 7004
Wilkes Barre, PA 18767-7004

Please allow up to four months to receive a response to the written request for a Social Security Statement.

You can also visit the French website http://www.cleiss.fr/docs/textes/ for information on how the agreement works in France. See this page for information on filing for French retirement.

For questions regarding French retirement, please contact your local French agency directly.

 

How do I obtain a detailed Earnings Record (for other pensions or to prove citizenship?)

Complete for Form SSA-7050-F4 and mail it along with fees to Social Security.

The completed form must be mailed to:

Social Security Administration
Division of Earnings Record Operations
P.O. Box 33003
Baltimore, Maryland 21290-3003.

The Division of Earnings Record Operations is the only component that is authorized to complete this information. Allow up to four to six months to receive a response.

 

How do I estimate my future Social Security amount?

Visit the following sites:

• • Estimate your future benefits (planning calculators)

The online hours of operation are:

• • Weekdays: 11:00 AM – 7:00 AM
  • Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 AM
  • Sunday: 2:00 PM – 5:30 AM
  • Holidays: 11:00 AM – 7:00 AM

 

Benefits Taxation

Visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website

 

Reporting U.S. Benefits to U.S. or French Tax Agency

Please contact IRS or your French local tax office