# Should I fix erroneous middle name on my Social Security record? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 17, 2024, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-fix-erroneous-middle-name-on-my-social-security-record/1011761 "2024-12-17T17:45:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-fix-erroneous-middle-name-on-my-social-security-record/1011761/21 "2024-12-19T18:40:51Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > so now I have three Social Security cards. In a drawer somewhere, I think; what does one do with the card? Put 'em in a drawer. It’s been, I dunno, 30+{?} years since I took mine out of my wallet after listening to the advice that it was better to _not_ have it in there in case you get pick-pocketed. Of course, having to sign up with classes via SSN I do remember it so it’s not like I _need_ it for anything. Somewhere during COVID my passport expired. I didn’t bother getting a new one because why have it if I didn’t have any traveling plans but then I needed to fill out an I-9 for a new job & it’s harder w/o a passport as you need multiple things. I applied for & eventually got a new SS card but now that I’ve renewed my passport I’m not sure where the SS card is anymore > [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > Well, that was annoying. Drove 35 minutes to the SSA office only to be told they are now appointment only (Mrs. Martian walked in a month ago). Have to go back tomorrow afternoon. Post #5… > [@Spiderman](#): > > It might take some time & a couple of **(scheduled)** trips to your local office. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-fix-erroneous-middle-name-on-my-social-security-record/1011761/22 "2024-12-19T18:43:42Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I’m not sure where the SS card is anymore I have a plastic three tier plastic organizer set a friend got me for important papers. My social security, inside a plasti protector meant for trading cards, is in there. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-fix-erroneous-middle-name-on-my-social-security-record/1011761/23 "2024-12-19T18:47:24Z")
I got my SS card in the late 70s and sometime shortly after that I had it laminated which apparently is a big no-no. It’s theoretically invalid now but it’s the only one I have ever had and it’s still sitting in the top drawer of the desk in my home office. I have had to show it to HR when starting a few jobs over the years and a couple of them have tutted about it being laminated but didn’t let it hinder things. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-fix-erroneous-middle-name-on-my-social-security-record/1011761/24 "2024-12-19T18:50:49Z")
I have a Medicare card. For some reason, they print them on paper instead of plastic. I have it in a hard plastic top-loader sleeve too. The sleeve is slightly too big for my wallet. I often wish I could just have the card laminated. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-fix-erroneous-middle-name-on-my-social-security-record/1011761/25 "2024-12-19T18:59:26Z")
> [@](#): > > > [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > > > Well, that was annoying. Drove 35 minutes to the SSA office only to be told they are now appointment only (Mrs. Martian walked in a month ago). Have to go back tomorrow afternoon. > > Post #5… > > > [@Spiderman](#): > > > > It might take some time & a couple of **(scheduled)** trips to your local office. The need for and appointment has nothing to do with the reason for my trip - no walk-ins at all were accepted. Security guard was turning almost everyone who showed up away at the door. Policy started last month. I had to call for an appointment, the person I spoke to said that I could have handled it as a walk-in if I had come in last month. Mrs. Martian was there for another reason recently, just walked in, took a number, and waited. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-fix-erroneous-middle-name-on-my-social-security-record/1011761/26 "2024-12-19T19:03:00Z")
our local SS orifice has been all appointment for some time now ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-fix-erroneous-middle-name-on-my-social-security-record/1011761/27 "2024-12-19T19:06:18Z")
I’m sure that the need for an appointment had nothing to do with the reason you were going there- but I wouldn’t drive 35 minutes post-COVID without confirming that they take walk-ins because a lot of places that used to take either walk-ins no longer do or they fit them around appointments so that if you walk in at 9 am , you may be waiting until 2 pm for a free slot. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-fix-erroneous-middle-name-on-my-social-security-record/1011761/28 "2024-12-19T19:18:35Z")
His spouse walked in very recently and they just changed the policy last month. It wasn’t at all unreasonable. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-fix-erroneous-middle-name-on-my-social-security-record/1011761/29 "2024-12-19T21:05:47Z")
It surprises me that anyone would attempt to enter a SS office as a walk-in. No matter what or how recent their experience. Simple to make an appointment, and lessens any concern as to possible wait times. But anyone is free to drive 35 miles each way, if they prefer. Not sure any annoyance resulting from that choice is the fault of the SS office… ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-fix-erroneous-middle-name-on-my-social-security-record/1011761/30 "2024-12-19T21:49:31Z")
If you have nothing useful to add other than snark, please stay out of the thread. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-fix-erroneous-middle-name-on-my-social-security-record/1011761/31 "2024-12-19T22:23:08Z")
Moderating: > [@Dinsdale](#): > > It surprises me that anyone would attempt to enter a SS office as a walk-in. No matter what or how recent their experience. Simple to make an appointment, and lessens any concern as to possible wait times. > > But anyone is free to drive 35 miles each way, if they prefer. Not sure any annoyance resulting from that choice is the fault of the SS office… Chill. This thread is about whether it’s worth fixing info. Your first paragraph was constructive. The second is borderline insulting. > [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > If you have nothing useful to add other than snark, please stay out of the thread. Please just report posts, don’t create hijacks. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-fix-erroneous-middle-name-on-my-social-security-record/1011761/32 "2024-12-20T01:11:20Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Please just report posts, don’t create hijacks. Sorry, I should know better. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-fix-erroneous-middle-name-on-my-social-security-record/1011761/33 "2024-12-20T21:44:25Z")
Just got back from SSA. Gave the information, provided the correct paperwork. They said it would take two weeks to get a new card, unclear how long before the online system has the new name. We’ll see how they do with the holidays and potential government shutdown. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-fix-erroneous-middle-name-on-my-social-security-record/1011761.md?page=1)