Okay, get this. I need to get a State ID. Unfortunately, my mother has SOMEHOW lost my birth certificate and social security card, both of which are needed to do this. She never gave them to me when I moved out. Getting my birth certificate isn't that difficult, go down to the clerk of court's office and they'll print me out a birth "card" which is sort of an abbreviated birth certificate.

Now get this. I also need to get my SSC, which is funny, because one of the requirements to get my social security card, IS A BLOODY STATE ID.  how, pray tell, IS THAT AT ALL HELPFUL?!?!

Basically, I'm screwwed.  THANKS A WHOLE *&%$ OF A LOT, AMERICAN GOVERNMENT.

That really sucks, K.  Sorry I don't have anything helpful to say.

You simply cannot be the first person in the entire state to not have a SS card or state id.  There is a procedure for this.  You just have to be patient and find someone who a) knows what to do, and b) is willing to do it.  A c hallenge when you are working with government people, I know.  Keep traveling up the ladder until you find someone with enough authority to be unafraid of using it.  I would try for the replacement state id before the SSC, myself.

Government red tape can be very frustrating >:(

My wife kind of went through that just to get her state ID renewed :o
But, we finally got everything they needed 8-)

Jerry

OH, I've been there - done that.  Due to some unusual circumstances, I never had a birth certificate.  Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a passport without a birth certificate!!??!!  :P  I was 40 years old before I finally received an official certificate, which then allowed me to get my passport.  It only took 5 years to convince the government that I was "being held hostage" by my own country.

As for getting a duplicate Social Security Card. I'd suggest collecting everything you have with your name on it, especially your birth certificate and anything else that already has your SSN on it (school records can be good for this).  Then take it all down to the local office and explain your situation.  They will usually waive the ID requirement if you have produced enough other documentation.  Particularly helpful is any type of photo ID you might have to help prove you are who you say you are.

unfortunately, all I have for ID is an expired south carolina learners' permit.. no school records, no real mail except christmas cards.... I have, well, pretty much nothing proving I exist..and, unfortunately, due to whatever it is, social security administration law, homeland security, I'm not sure.... expired ID's ... they won't accept them as ID anymore.

Here is information from SSA regarding getting a replacement card.  

Quote:

Replacement Social Security Card for a U.S.-Born Citizen You can replace your Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen. However, you are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits. For example, changes in immigration status that require card updates may not count toward these limits. Also, you may not be affected by these limits if  you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship. To get a replacement card: Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and Show us documents proving: U.S. citizenship (if you have not already established your citizenship with us); and Identity. Take your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office. Citizenship We can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. consular report of birth, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship. Identity We can accept only certain documents as proof of identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph. For example, as proof of identity Social Security must see your: U.S. driver’s license; State-issued nondriver identification card; or U.S. passport. If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, we will ask to see other documents, including: Employee ID card; School ID card; Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); U.S. military ID card; or Adoption decree. We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. We will mail your card as soon as we have all of your information and have verified your documents. Your replacement card will have the same name and number as your previous card. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place. It is an important document. Do not carry it with you

Quote:

U.S. driver’s license; State-issued nondriver identification card; or U.S. passport. If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, we will ask to see other documents, including: Employee ID card; School ID card; Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); U.S. military ID card; or Adoption decree. We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity.

Maybe I can use the birth card I can hopefully get, and the health insurance card that lists my name? I don't have any of the others, no passport, no job, so no Employee ID, no school ID, never in the military, wasn't adopted... The health insurance card might work, right?

Now I've got to see about getting the birth card... that should be fun.

If the health insurance card is all you've got, then I'd most certainly use it.  

Quote:

Keep your Social Security card in a safe place. It is an important document. Do not carry it with you

My Life Sciences teacher in High School advised that everyone keep it in a ziploc bag in the freezer. I imagine the reasoning would be that
1) in case of fire, Freezers are always protected and
2) no one ever thinks to check there if they are robbing your house for you SSN!!
 8-)

I'm sure you can sort it out.  :)

In once was in a somewhat similar situation- trying to get a passport without having a valid ID. What happened was, that I took what unofficial ID to the police (in my country police is the authority that issues ID:s). They just keyed in the information I had given, and when they saw the information on registrar, they asked me a couple of questions, like what is the second name of my father. I answered the questions correctly, and together with the unofficial ID, that was enough to convince them of that I was who I said I was.
    They told me, that even if I hadn't remembered the right answers, they would still have been able to identify me, it would just have been a bit more complicated.

So, your case isn't unique and I'm sure US officials have the right procedures in place. I agree with others- just take whatever little you have. Even if officials can not accept it as a valid ID, it may well be very helpful. But, even if you have absolutely nothing (imagine a situation where all your ID's were stolen from you), your identity could be confirmed.

that's true... if I really wanted to prove i am indeed, *my name*... There's records somewhere, with my DNA on file, in alabama.. Could definately ID me that way... (paternity test, daddy was being a jerk, etc, etc...) I wonder if that would be enough to convince them?
LOL