Q & A

I noticed that my date of birth in Social Security’s records is wrong. How do I get that corrected?

Answer: To change the date of birth shown on our records, take the following steps:

• Complete an application for a Social Security card (Form SS-5);

• Show us documents proving: U.S. citizenship (if you have not previously established your citizenship with us); age; identity; and take (or mail) your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office.

Note that all documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. For details on the documents you’ll need, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ss5doc.

SourceBrainerd Dispatch – May 12, 2014

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Comments On This Topic

  1. hi
    ı living in outside of united states and ı apply for my tax refund and they have incorrect my date of birth in the IRS system so how can ı change it without going to united states can ı change by call the ssa? and how long this process gonna take?

    • I assume that your date of birth issue is with the IRS, and not with the Social Security Administration (these are two separate government agencies and one cannot correct records for the other). If that is the case, you will need to communicate with the IRS to get this birthdate correction made. This, of course, is more difficult for you because you live outside the U.S. In such cases, you can call 267-941-1000, a number specifically for international callers or overseas taxpayers. You can also get information on how to contact the IRS from overseas at this website: https://www.irs.gov/help/contact-my-local-office-internationally
      You may also wish to appoint someone who resides in the U.S. to contact the IRS on your behalf to resolve your issue. You could give someone in the U.S. official Power of Attorney privileges, or you could simply appoint a third party (e.g., a relative, close friend, or your tax preparer) to act on your behalf. Go to this link to find out how to appoint someone to represent you: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/power-of-attorney-and-other-authorizations

      I suggest you start by contacting the IRS’ phone number for international callers – 267-941-1000 – and ask how to correct your date of birth in the IRS’ records.
      Russell Gloor
      National Social Security Advisor
      The AMAC Foundation

  2. I live in Europe and have my information mailed here. I noticed my date of birth is off by one year.
    How can I get this changed without actually going back to the States?

    • Anthony,
      You will need to contact Social Security directly to resolve this birth date issue with them, and you can do that without returning to the U.S. You can contact them any of several ways, even while outside the United States, but you should deal with the SS Office of International Operations. You can reach them in the U.S. (during normal U.S. EST business hours) at 410-965-0160, or you can reach them by mail at this mailing address:
      Social Security Administration
      Office of Earnings & International Operations
      P.O. Box 17769
      Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7769
      Alternatively, Social Security provides assistance to international beneficiaries via American Embassies and Consulates, one of which should be convenient for you, depending upon where you live. Here is a link at which you will find the contact information for Social Security services at an Embassy or Consulate near you: https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm
      I recommend that you get your date of birth information corrected as soon as possible, as DOB is a critical factor for Social Security purposes.
      Russell Gloor
      National Social Security Advisor
      The AMAC Foundation
      Association of Mature American Citizens
      [email protected]

      • How does this happen? Mine somehow was changed. Only noticed it because taxes got kicked back this year until I was able to find out what it had been changed to. A glitch in the system? I’ve filed every year of my life with same bday. Never had an issue. This year it was changed. Any help is appreciated. I have no way to get it changed with Covid 19 shutdown.

      • I’m really concerned someone may have tampered with my number somehow. But I see nothing scary popping up on my credit report. Also, I’ve applied for many loans and things of that nature. How could it change after 44 years? Thanks in advance.

        • Is it your first time e-filing? Apparently my birthday was recorded wrong with SSA back in 1993 but because I was filing through the mail in previous years for some reason there were no issues. Filing online the last 2 years I have been unable to do some. You have to send in documentation through the mail to get a new social issued.

          • Someone in the administration incorrectly entered my uncle’s date of birth. His birthday is 8/5 but they have it listed as 5/8. We don’t know when or how that was done but considering we don’t have any access to their system, I can only assume someone there made a typo. He is elderly and retired and on Medicare. None of his claims are being paid. After discovering this was the reason his claims were declined, we submitted an application for a new card with a letter, per their instructions, asking they correct his date of birth (his driver’s license, certificate, medical records all show the correct date!). This was back in September 2021, and they have already sent the new card and returned his original documents. Last month we spoke to the actual employee that processed his paperwork and all he could say is that their system says the payment center is still processing this information and to date, they have not “sent” the correction over to Medicare (they cannot make these corrections themselves). This entire situation has been very frustrating! They are the ones that messed up – I don’t understand why it’s taking so long. Does anyone know if I can escalate this and how?

          • Robert
            Social Security actually handles Medicare, and Social Security has to correct the data entry error on your uncle’s account. Have you tried calling your local Social Security office? Social Security office locator link: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp As all the proper paperwork has been sent, received, and returned to you, it should all be noted on his Social Security account. If you have no success in getting it corrected over the phone, another option is to contact your local representative’s office and ask them to assist you with your problem with Social Security. Most people are not aware of it, but assisting people that have problems with Social Security is actually part of their job. Use the following link to locate and contact your local representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative With the offices still closed, these are your only two options at the time to get it taken care of.

            Sharon Kleczka
            National Social Security Advisor
            The AMAC Foundation

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