# Why can't we laminate our Social Security Cards? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 5, 2004, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434 "2004-04-05T20:56:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![smootman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@smootman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smootman)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/1 "2004-04-05T20:56:24Z")
The back of mine says : Do not laminate this card. So, why? ---
**Author:** ![larsenmtl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d78d45/32.png) [@larsenmtl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/larsenmtl)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/2 "2004-04-05T21:13:23Z")
This is from the SSA’s Program Policy Information Site: > [@](#): > > E. POLICY - LAMINATING THE SSN CARD > > 1. Advising Against Lamination > > Instructions on the card stub advise against laminating the card. This is because lamination prevents detection of certain security features on the card. When possible, instruct SSN applicants in advance not to laminate their SSN cards because SSA cannot guarantee the validity of a card that has been laminated. > > Public information activities should also stress this point. Since number holders are advised to keep their cards in a safe place rather than carry them in their purses or wallets, and since the cards are made of banknote paper, there should be no need to cover the card to protect it. However, if the number holder still wishes to do so, he/she may cover the card with plastic or other material which can be removed without damaging the card. More --\> [http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/0/9f37ab6672c8b6c585256e370011e6bc?OpenDocument](http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/0/9f37ab6672c8b6c585256e370011e6bc?OpenDocument) ---
**Author:** ![olefin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d78d45/32.png) [@olefin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/olefin)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/3 "2004-04-05T21:56:20Z")
I don’t know what difference it makes? In all the years I have never used or needed to use my SS card. I applied for SS disability over the phone and later was accepted. The only purpose I can see in the card is so one doesn’t forget their number. So if you want it laminated, go for it. ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Norse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/big_norse/32/9954_2.png) [@Big\_Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Norse)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/4 "2004-04-05T22:21:12Z")
My card was laminated very early on in my life, and I never had a problem until I tried to get a drivers license in Illinois. I’ve lived in 10 different states and it was never an issue until then. I ended up having to get a completely new SSS card to get my Illinois license. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/5 "2004-04-05T22:29:04Z")
Lamination could be used to help conceal any alterations or modifications that have been made to a card. You will also need to produce your card when accepting employment. Your new employer will need it and a picture ID (driver’s license will do) in order to complete their I-9 form. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/6 "2004-04-05T23:45:48Z")
> [@flickster](#): > > You will also need to produce your card when accepting employment. Your new employer will need it and a picture ID (driver’s license will do) in order to complete their I-9 form. Do employers really need to see your actual SSN card, or can they accept other info with your SSN number on it (like a W-2 for instance)? ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/7 "2004-04-06T00:25:49Z")
W-2 is not acceptable. Here’s an link that provides accurate alternatives. [http://admin.shu.edu/studemp/I9Form.htm](http://admin.shu.edu/studemp/I9Form.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Kalashnikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/2bfe46/32.png) [@Kalashnikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalashnikov)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/8 "2004-04-06T00:44:41Z")
I’ve never had to show any ID to an employer. And my social security card (which is, admittedly pretty old 🙂 doesn’t have any security features that I can see. ---
**Author:** ![olefin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d78d45/32.png) [@olefin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/olefin)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/9 "2004-04-06T01:34:45Z")
I worked several different jobs over the years and was never asked to show my SS card. They only required the SS number. Just never had **any** occasion to use that little card. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/10 "2004-04-06T01:39:22Z")
**olefin** , any employer that did not ask to have you verify your ability to work legally in the United States within the last 15+ years or so was violating the law. The usual proof asked for is your picture identification and your social security card. See the link helpfully provided by **flickster**. Of course, if you have either a U.S. Passport or a Certificate of Citizenship, you don’t need to show anything else; they satisgy both requirements. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Vlad\_Dracul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/50afbb/32.png) [@Vlad\_Dracul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vlad_Dracul)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/11 "2004-04-06T01:48:31Z")
No employer has ever said a word about my laminated SS card… not even the major defense contractor I work for now. C’mon… be a scofflaw! It’s FUN! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/12 "2004-04-06T02:41:26Z")
My mother has a metal SS card. She got it when she was in high school as part of some promotional program or something. Any idea what’s up with that? FB ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/13 "2004-04-06T02:49:07Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > Do employers really need to see your actual SSN card, or can they accept other info with your SSN number on it (like a W-2 for instance)? I fulfill the I-9 requirements with my passport. It only takes one piece of ID instead of two. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/14 "2004-04-06T03:09:28Z")
> [@FaerieBeth](#): > > My mother has a metal SS card. She got it when she was in high school as part of some promotional program or something. Any idea what’s up with that? > > FB They’re not legal for use as SS cards. I’ve had patients who’ve tried to use metal “Medicare” cards in lieu of their government-issued Medicare cards, and we couldn’t accept them. (Some Medigap and life insurance companies used to issue those to new subscribers as a freebie.) Nothing but the original Social Security Administration-issued document is legal for use as a Social Security or Medicare card. Robin ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/15 "2004-04-06T03:35:24Z")
That’s useful to know. People at work ask me why they’re not supposed to laminate their cards all the time (as a lowly peon at a copy shop, I’m expected to know everything that could ever have bearing on my job, after all). Now I’ll actually have an answer - sort of. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/16 "2004-04-06T04:02:26Z")
> [@olefin](#): > > The only purpose I can see in the card is so one doesn’t forget their number. > > So if you want it laminated, go for it. In New York state, it is absolutely impossible to do anything at the DMV unless you have a SSN card in your hand that you can give to a minor bureaucrat. I have two friends who have needed to get SSN’s re-issued in the past 6 months for the sole reason of getting their driver’s license-- and if it was laminated, they were screwed. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/17 "2004-04-06T04:31:28Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > **olefin** , any employer that did not ask to have you verify your ability to work legally in the United States within the last 15+ years or so was violating the law. The usual proof asked for is your picture identification and your social security card. See the link helpfully provided by **flickster**. > > Of course, if you have either a U.S. Passport or a Certificate of Citizenship, you don’t need to show anything else; they satisgy both requirements. 🙂 Very true. When this went into effect (1986) existing employees were grandfathered in, but if you have been hired by any employer since and they did not ask for identification so they could complete an I-9 they are risking stiff penalties if audited (and audits do indeed happen). Here’s an even better link for employment eligibility verification. [http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/faqeev.htm](http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/faqeev.htm) ---
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/18 "2004-04-06T04:48:22Z")
Maybe this is painfully obvious, but why not apply for a new SS card since you “lost” your other one, then laminate one and leave the other in a safe place? IIRC, I needed a copy of my birth certificate and something else in order to get a new SS card. Losing all your photo ID’s and SS card along with your wallet is not fun, trust me. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/19 "2004-04-06T05:36:25Z")
> [@Big\_Norse](#): > > My card was laminated very early on in my life, and I never had a problem until I tried to get a drivers license in Illinois. I’ve lived in 10 different states and it was never an issue until then. > > I ended up having to get a completely new SSS card to get my Illinois license. Got my SSC as a child in the late 70s, and had it immediately laminated. Never had a hassle. ---
**Author:** ![Danalan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@Danalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danalan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434/20 "2004-04-06T05:55:08Z")
> [@Enola Straight](#): > > Got my SSC as a child in the late 70s, and had it immediately laminated. > > Never had a hassle. Likewise. I’ve got my original card, and there’s no warning about lamination on it. My mother and fathers cards are laminated also, and none of us have ever had a problem. My wife and kids cards do have the warning, and aren’t laminated. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-laminate-our-social-security-cards/238434.md?page=2)