# How do I find my ex-husband’s Social Security number? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 12, 2003, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598 "2003-12-12T15:09:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Palikia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@Palikia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palikia)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/1 "2003-12-12T15:09:44Z")
I am rapidly approaching my 62nd birthday and want to examine my options with the Social Security folks. I know my ex has always contributed more to the fund than I have and I should be able to claim on his SS, but I don’ know his number. We have been divorced since 1986, I have never remarried (he did) and yes, he is still living but we don’t communicate and I want to leave our son out of this if possible. I have all the other basic information – Marriage license, divorce decree, I know when and where he was born, parents and grandparents names, dates an places of birth and death. Can any Dopers help/advise? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/2 "2003-12-12T15:24:08Z")
If you have copies of any any pre-86 tax forms they will have his ss#. Application for a marriage lisc may also require this info… If all else fails there are net detective services that will pull his SS# for a fee like this \> [SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ACQUISITION—$49](http://www.gum-shoes.com/productdetails.php?ID=5001&Keyword=find) I have never have used this service, nor do I make any claims for it, so use at your own risk. ---
**Author:** ![Palikia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@Palikia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palikia)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/3 "2003-12-12T15:28:38Z")
He was very careful to remove all tax returns and other financial data when he moved out. I’m not ready yet to pay someone for something I should be able to find myself. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/4 "2003-12-12T15:39:55Z")
I would think that your divorce lawyer would probably have your ex’s SSN somewhere in his or her files… it is probably important that they have that info when drawing up a property settlement… ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/5 "2003-12-12T15:57:25Z")
You should contact your lawyer rather than trying to find some sneaky way to get his SSN. ---
**Author:** ![Palikia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@Palikia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palikia)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/6 "2003-12-12T16:06:23Z")
I have contacted my lawyer. He no longer has those records. (It was 1986!) I have examined the entire divorce decree and there is no mention anywhere of a SSN. I still have documentatin from the sale of our home and no SSN there either. I am not trying to do anything sneaky. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/7 "2003-12-12T18:13:49Z")
I think you should contact the Social Security Admin first- I think you may be misunderstanding how “survivor” benefits work. In other words, I think your need for his SSN is moot. ---
**Author:** ![peri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/67e7ee/32.png) [@peri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peri)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/8 "2003-12-12T18:19:53Z")
Was there a child support order? His number may be listed there. ---
**Author:** ![KP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a9adbd/32.png) [@KP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KP)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/9 "2003-12-12T19:46:31Z")
Do you have _any_ documents from the marriage? Car registration or insurance, accident reports, credit reports - joint or individual, mortgages/deeds, sales contracts, extended warranties, account info, divorce decree, cancelled checks, etc? The SSN (and driver’s license number) was horribly overused as ID in the 80s. I realize that you may not have kept most of those, but that’s where I’d look. If it were in the past 10 years, I’d suggest checking _your_ current credit report (which you should check annually anyway). A spouse’s SSN is often embedded in the long numbers listed in entries for joint accounts (in the full form, not the summary) You’d notice a common sequence ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/10 "2003-12-12T20:02:01Z")
Well here’s a stupid question. Wouldn’t any potential benefits that you could recieve on his SSN have been negotiated as part of the divorce settlement? Or is that not how Social Security works? (I have no idea.) ---
**Author:** ![Gravity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gravity/32/14322_2.png) [@Gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gravity)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/11 "2003-12-12T20:09:25Z")
I don’t think that you get to claim on your ex’s SS benefits, either. You should definately check that out, first. ---
**Author:** ![Palikia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@Palikia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palikia)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/12 "2003-12-12T20:20:49Z")
None of the documents I have from that time, including the Divorce Decree, have the SSN. My understanding of SS is that since I have not remarried, and because of the length of the marriage, (23 years) I can claim benefits on his earnings, which have been much higher than mine. I haven’t actually contacted the SS Admin. yet, assuming I will need proper documentation first. The last time I had any dealing with them was to help my father receive benefits, and I stood in line four hours before I was helped. I want to be prepared before going through that again. ---
**Author:** ![ASD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c68b51/32.png) [@ASD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASD)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/13 "2003-12-12T21:15:49Z")
Palikia is correct that she qualifies. Straight from the SSA website: > [@](#): > > If you are divorced after at least 10 years of marriage, you can collect retirement benefits on your former spouse’s Social Security record if you are at least age 62 and if your former spouse is entitled to or receiving benefits. I would call the SSA (rather than wait in line for hours) and see if you need the SS# or if they are able to locate it for you. I’m sure they’re used to dealing with it. I know they can search their records by name in the case of a deceased spouse. ---
**Author:** ![aktep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@aktep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aktep)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/14 "2003-12-12T21:31:15Z")
You may be able to request a previously filed tax return from the IRS, and that should have the information on it: [http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-fill/f4506.pdf](http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-fill/f4506.pdf) It does appear you are eligible for benefits from your ex-husband: > [@](#): > > If you are divorced (even if you have remarried), your ex-spouse may qualify for benefits on your record if you are 62 or older. In some situations, he or she may get benefits even if you’re not receiving them yet. (If your spouse will also receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security, such as government or foreign work, his or her Social Security benefit on your record may be affected. See further information here.) > > To qualify on your record, your ex-spouse must: > > have been married to you for at least 10 years; > be at least 62 years old; > be unmarried; and > not be eligible for an equal or higher benefit on his or her own Social Security record, or on someone else’s Social Security record. > If your former spouse continues to work while receiving benefits, the same earnings limits apply to him or her as apply to you. If your ex-spouse is eligible for benefits this year and is also working, you can use our earnings test calculator to see how those earnings would affect those benefit payments. > > The amount of benefits your divorced spouse gets has no effect on the amount of benefits you or your current spouse may receive. [http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/yourdivspouse.htm](http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/yourdivspouse.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Palikia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@Palikia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palikia)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/15 "2003-12-12T22:30:10Z")
I did as aktep and ASD suggested and called the number on the SSA website. As I suspected, they would not give me my ex’s SSN, but did set up an appointment for a telephone interview next week since there is no SSA office in my city. That looks like a good start. Thanks for your help. ---
**Author:** ![hermann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b487fb/32.png) [@hermann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hermann)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/16 "2003-12-13T00:05:37Z")
I can’t help, sorry. I’m just glad I was divorced after nine years instead of ten. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/17 "2003-12-13T02:59:57Z")
For the record, here’s the complete [20 CFR 404.336](http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-0336.htm) ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/18 "2003-12-13T03:39:53Z")
Well, I opened this thread thinking I’d be able to help (I work for SSA) but it looks like you’ve already gotten all the info you need. Just to confirm, SSA was probably able to determine your ex’s SSN using his name and date of birth, as they would need it to set up the appointment. They wouldn’t give you his SSN until they can verify that you are entitled to benefits on his account, as this would be a violation of the Privacy Act. Once they confirm that you qualify, they’ll be able to give you the number. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/19 "2003-12-13T04:33:14Z")
Or, I _could_ just send him an email… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![disponibilite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5daacb/32.png) [@disponibilite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/disponibilite)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598/20 "2003-12-13T05:16:14Z")
This one interests me too. My ex-wife (married for 30 years) and I are both approaching 62. We get along fine. Anyway—I will receive a little over $900 on my SS. She will receive a little over $500 on hers. Can she get the same as me on my benefits? That would help her a lot and no skin off my teeth. I tried to look it up on the SS web site, but it was confusing—something about hers had to be less than 1/2 of mine for her to qualify --(or maybe I was reading it wrong) —Hope that guy who works for SS is still checking these posts— [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-my-ex-husband-s-social-security-number/218598.md?page=2)