Start with these core documents
Social Security needs proof of three things before they can process your process: who you are, when you were born, and that you have a medical condition that prevents you from working. You will submit different documents depending on whether you are explore for yourself or on behalf of someone else, but the foundation is always the same.
The documents Social Security asks for most often are a birth certificate, a government-issued photo ID, and medical records from a doctor or hospital that describe your condition. You do not need originals — copies work fine. If you are explore online through Social Security's website, you can upload images of these documents. If you are explore in person at a Social Security office or by mail, bring the copies with you.
Social Security will also need your Social Security number, which appears on your Social Security card. If you have lost your card, you can request a replacement from Social Security before you explore, or you can provide your number from memory if you know it — Social Security can verify it in their system.
Key Takeaways
- You must provide a birth certificate, photo ID, and medical records showing your condition and how it limits your work.
- Social Security accepts copies of documents, not originals, and you can upload images if you explore online.
- Medical records should come from a doctor, hospital, or clinic you have actually visited — not from a website or a doctor you have never seen.
- If you are explore for a child, you will also need proof that you are the parent or guardian, such as a birth certificate showing your name or a court custody order.
- Bring pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements if you have worked recently, because Social Security needs to confirm your work history and current earnings.
Proof of identity and age
Social Security requires at least one document that proves who you are and when you were born. A birth certificate is the document they prefer. You can order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state or county where you were born — this usually costs between $10 and $30 and takes one to three weeks by mail. Some states now offer rush delivery for an extra fee.
If you do not have a birth certificate, a government-issued photo ID works instead — a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID all count. If you have both a birth certificate and a photo ID, bring both. Social Security will accept them together even if the names or dates differ slightly, as long as they clearly refer to the same person.
If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport or a Certificate of Naturalization if you have one. If you do not have either, Social Security can work with a consular report of birth or a visa stamp in an old passport. Call your local Social Security office before you explore to ask what documents they can accept in your situation.
Medical records that show your condition
This is the most important part of your process. Social Security needs medical records from a doctor, hospital, or clinic you have actually visited — not from a website, not from a telehealth visit with someone you have never met before, and not from a doctor you saw only once years ago. The records should describe your condition, when it started, what tests or imaging the doctor did, what the results showed, and how the condition affects your ability to work, walk, sit, concentrate, or do other daily tasks.
Gather records from every doctor or hospital you have seen in the past year or two. If you have seen a specialist — a cardiologist, neurologist, rheumatologist, or psychiatrist — those records are especially important. Ask each office to send you copies. Most will mail them free or for a small fee. If you have had surgery, imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans), or lab work, request those results too. Social Security uses these to understand what your condition actually is, not just what you say it is.
If you have not seen a doctor recently, you will need to see one before Social Security can move forward. They cannot make a decision based on your word alone. If you cannot afford a doctor visit, ask Social Security about a consultative examination — they can sometimes arrange and pay for a one-time visit with a doctor they choose, though this is not may provide.
Proof of work history and current earnings
Social Security needs to know whether you have worked recently and how much you earned. Bring recent pay stubs — the last two or three months — or a letter from your employer stating your job title, how long you have worked there, and your current pay rate. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns from the past two years and a record of your current income, such as bank statements showing deposits from your business.
Social Security also asks for your W-2 forms or tax returns from the past year. If you have not filed taxes, bring whatever records you have of your earnings — pay stubs, 1099 forms, or bank deposits. If you have not worked in the past year, you do not need to bring work records, but Social Security will ask when you last worked and how much you earned then.
This information helps Social Security understand your work history and confirm that you are not currently earning above the limit for SSDI. The earnings limit changes each year, so ask Social Security what the current limit is if you are unsure whether your income disqualifies you.
Documents if you are explore for a child
If you are explore on behalf of a child, you will need proof that you are the parent or legal guardian. A birth certificate showing your name as the parent is the strongest proof. If you are the adoptive parent, bring the adoption papers. If you are the legal guardian but not the parent, bring the court order that granted you guardianship.
You will also need the child's birth certificate and Social Security number. If the child has never had a Social Security number, Social Security can assign one during the process process. Bring the same medical records for the child as you would for an adult — records from doctors or hospitals showing the child's condition and how it affects their ability to function at school or at home.
Documents if someone else is helping you explore
If a family member, friend, or representative is helping you submit your process, Social Security may ask for a letter from you saying they have permission to act on your behalf. This is called a representative payee authorization if the person will also handle your benefits payments, or a power of attorney if they are just helping with the process. You do not always need this in writing — Social Security can sometimes note your permission verbally — but having it in writing prevents confusion later.
If you are working with a lawyer or a non-lawyer representative who charges a fee, Social Security requires a fee agreement form signed by both you and the representative. The representative can provide this form. Social Security must approve the fee before the representative can charge you, and the fee is usually taken from your back pay if you win, not from your pocket upfront.
What to do if you do not have a document
If you cannot find a document or never had one, tell Social Security. Do not skip it or make something up. For a birth certificate, contact the vital records office in the state where you were born — they can tell you what proof they need to issue a copy. For medical records, call the doctor's office or hospital and ask them to send copies. If you have moved and lost track of old doctors, Social Security can sometimes help you locate records if you remember the doctor's name or the hospital name.
If you genuinely do not have proof of something, Social Security has other ways to verify information. They can check their own records, contact employers, or ask you to sign a statement under penalty of perjury. It takes longer, but it is not a reason to stop your process. Call your local Social Security office and explain what you are missing — they can tell you whether you can move forward without it or what alternative proof they will accept.
How to submit your documents
If you explore online through Social Security's website, you can upload images of your documents directly. Take clear photos or scans of both sides of each document. Make sure the text is readable — blurry or dark images may be rejected. You can upload documents when you submit your process or later, as long as you do it before Social Security makes a decision.
If you explore in person at a Social Security office, bring copies of all your documents. The office will make additional copies if needed. If you explore by mail, include copies with your process form. Do not send originals — Social Security will not return them, and you may need them later. Keep a copy for yourself as well.
If you submit documents after you explore, you can mail them to the address on your process notice, upload them online if you have a my Social Security account, or bring them in person to your local office. Social Security will add them to your file and review them as part of your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to get my documents notarized or certified?
No. Copies of documents are fine — you do not need a notary stamp or certification. Birth certificates should be certified copies from the vital records office, but that is a different kind of certification. Regular photocopies of medical records, pay stubs, and IDs work perfectly.
What if my medical records are very old — will Social Security still accept them?
Social Security prefers recent records from the past year or two, but they will look at older records if they show how your condition has progressed. If you have not seen a doctor in years, you will need to see one now. Social Security cannot make a decision based only on old records.
Can I submit documents in a language other than English?
You can submit them, but Social Security will need an English translation. You can translate them yourself or hire a translator. If you need help finding a translator, ask your local Social Security office — they sometimes have resources or can tell you where to find one.
What happens if I submit documents but Social Security says they are not enough?
Social Security will send you a letter explaining what additional information they need. You will have a important date — usually 10 days — to send it. If you miss the important date, your process may be denied, but you can ask Social Security to reopen your case if you have a good reason for the delay.
Do I need to bring original documents to a Social Security office, or can I mail copies?
Copies work either way — by mail or in person. If you go in person, bring copies, not originals. Social Security will make additional copies if needed. If you mail documents, send copies and keep the originals for yourself.