How to Prove You are an American, It’s Harder Than You think!!

It all began in January. My youngest son got his first job.

That is where the nightmare began.

At 17 he doesn’t drive or have a learners permit. So he would need ID to start work. I had moved recently so I dug through my filing cabinet looking for his passport, social security card and birth certificate.

Eureka! I found his passport. Which expired three months ago. Bummer.

SS Card & Birth Certificate were MIA.

Sigh, a trip to the Social Security office was in store.

I first stopped off at the Health Department to pick up a copy of his birth certificate. That was easier than expected. So with his shiny new BC in hand I drove over to the SSA. Note: there is only ONE SSA office in a 50 mile radius from my home.

So after waiting in line to ENTER the facility I was dismayed at the stadium full of taken seats. Taking a number I sat down to wait. Two hours later, we were called.

I needed a replacement card so I showed my current card (which my oldest son cut up in tiny bits when he was three years old and I taped back together.) And my id, Type… type…type…done!

And I need a replacement card for my son.

They refused the passport. Come on, it’s not like we are trying to leave the country.

“You need more documentation.”

They REFUSED to accept the BC, REFUSED to accept the Passport, refused to accept my word that this is my son and you just VERIFIED and gave me my SS Card.

“You need a letter from his school or a signed medical record.”

Really?

“You can do this online.” She adds.

AT that I laugh. Because I went online. You CANNOT order a SS Card ONLINE or by phone. You can go online and print out an application and MAIL IT IN with your ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. Not happening.

I drive home get my school letter, and a signed copy of his shot record and set out again with high hopes! I have everything they asked for.

Get inside take another number, and wait another two hours.

I get to the window, I explain my previous visit and show him the signed and dated shot record from the county health department with his name and birthday on it.

“We can only take shot records if the child is under five.”

Really? Does it state that on the list of accepted documents? No.

Does it state that anywhere? No.

Okay that is fine, because I have my golden ticket. I have a letter from his school. We homeschool so I hand him my letter of intent and a letter from the state of Georgia EXPLAINING the letter of intent. He looks at them quizzically. I explain what they are and he disappears back into the maze of cubicles.

He comes back 5-10 days later.

“We cannot accept this.”

I’m not surprised. Many people are ill informed about homeschooling laws. Not a problem. I ask to speak to his supervisor.

Supervisor shows up wearing a t-shirt and jeans. I EXPLAIN to her the homeschool letter. And she tells me it is unacceptable.

I explain that in THEIR list a SCHOOL LETTER is acceptable.  For Homeschoolers a letter of intent is used for everything. I will need it when I get his work permit, I will need it when I get his driving permit.

She still refuses.

I ask her if she is refusing to Acknowledge a Letter from the state of George granting me rights over my sons school program even though they will accept a letter signed by a school.

She LAUGHS. Says that “I am being RIDICULOUS”. AND that “she will not accept something you can just PRINT OFF THE INTERNET”. She then goes on to inform me that they are closed and I need to leave.

I was seething. I very rarely get angry, but I was pissed. Not only had I WASTED over six hours of my very precious time. My son needed this before he can begin work.

I don’t have time for their games.

The original clerk returned and I asked him what I need to get my son an ssa card. He states a certified copy of medical records.

I of course KNOW that you have to ORDER these from your doctor’s office and it can take up to a week. Being it was Friday afternoon and he had orientation on Monday. He was screwed.

I inform the clerk of this and he suggests I go to the hospital.

Sure.

Still shaking, I head home. Great, I can go to the hospital this weekend and back to ssa on Monday. THEN to the DDS.

I get home and call the hospital. Records are closed and won’t open until Monday.

I curse.

Screw it, I will open up everybox in the house and FIND his ss card, which I know I have somewhere.

Two days and 30 boxes later. Nothing. I am sitting on the floor of my office in despair.

I am questioning my own sanity.

Is he my son?

Yeah sure, I remember six hours of labor and have baby pictures galore. Not good enough.

I have footprints signed by the doctor from the hospital. Not good enough.

Monday rolls around and I discover it’s a holiday. Federal offices CLOSED. I was still able to get his work permit filled out online and drive to the hospital, pay for parking. Follow the maze to the basement to get a piece of paper with a stamp on it. I mean they just printed it off the computer. Pay for the records and sit and wait for Tuesday morning.

Back at the SSA office, I show the same clerk the letter from the hospital and he looks at it skeptically. I then pull out the feet, a picture he drew in first grade with his name scrawled across the back. I then pull out a savings bond. Issued by the US Treasury with his name, my name & his Social Security Number.

The clerk seemed almost giddy to see it. THANK YOU HELEN KELLER!!

TYPE…TYPE…TYPE. And done.

Now off to the Department of Driver Services.

GA DDS joyfully accepted the Homeschool letter and my son now has a valid ID and a job. Now all we have to do is renew his passport. Sigh…

Note: This is unfortunately a true story with humor added for my own sanity. There was no humor in this entire situation. I am still surprised they did not call security on me or try to export my son. The level of IGNORANCE in the federal government is astounding.