Getting Official Documents for When You Apply for Benefits
When you apply for Social Security benefits you’ll need your birth certificate for retirement benefits, and marriage, divorce and death records for spousal, ex-spousal, survivor or dependent benefits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide a helpful Web page located at www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm that offers links to where to write for vital records.
Select the correct state and area and follow the guidelines at www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/guidelines.htm. The Federal government does not provide certificates for benefits. For your information, many states will allow you to order via telephone, online or by mail. Charges for each certificate vary but average around $20 each. Allow two to three weeks for delivery. However, for an extra change many states have overnight express mail.
About ksindell
Kathleen Sindell, Ph.D. is the author of numerous academic, popular, and professional finance articles, Web sites, proposals, and books. This includes the bestselling reference book, "Investing Online for Dummies, Eds 1-5" (listed for two consecutive years on the Wall Street Journal's Bestselling Business Book List). Her most recent book "Social Security: Maximize your Benefits" has been listed in Amazon's Top 100 Bestselling Retirement Planning Books. It is important to note that "Social Security: Maximize Your Benefits, 2nd Edition" was just released.
Sindell has an in-depth understanding of the financial services industry and has held Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses. Dr. Sindell is regularly tapped as a financial services expert on ABC World News, The Nightly Business Report, and at popular online and print outlets. Kathleen Sindell, Ph.D. is a member of the Board of Directors for the Financial Planning Association, National Capital Area (FPA NCA), is on the Editorial Advisory Panel of the Journal of Financial Planning, and is Co-Chair of the Metro Washington Financial Planning Day. Sindell is a Course Chair II, CFP Program Academic Officer, and adjunct full-professor at the University of Maryland, UMUC, School of Undergraduate Studies.
Contact Information: ksindell@kathleensindell.com or 703-299-1700
