Hmm.

I just logged into ADP to check my W-2 from last year - PDF doc - and it actually DOESN'T display my full SS number. Has X's other than the last 4 digits.

(ADP Workforce Now)

It's a new thing. I think this year will only be the second year the regulations have allowed it. They are allowed to only display a partial SSN on all copies except for the one that goes to the IRS. Well, for anyone that doesn't file their company W-2s electronically which I'm sure ADP does.

I would just apply for a replacement social security card.

ah, in that case ignore what I said

I guess it's to decrease identities theft in some way, but I do think you should be able to request a copy with your SSN on it if you need it. As demonstrated here, plenty of people use that document for other reasons than filing taxes. I think so few people actually mail in a copy of their W-2 with their tax returns anymore that it made sense but I think there should be a way around it if you need one. And it is optional, ADP went right in though.

For my real id, I needed to correct the name on my social security account to match my birth certificate. I did go to an office with my birth certificate, but they mailed the new card. This was maybe 3 to 4 years ago.

I almost screwed this up when I went in to replace my DL with a RealID compliant one. I had grabbed my W2 as proof of SSN, then in doing a last-minute review of docs, noticed both the mailed and the downloadable copies from my employer masked most of the SSN. (Which is a good thing; I can recall in college that profs posted grades outside their offices, with the students listed by SSN... no chance of ID theft there, eh?)

Fortunately, I had to get a replacement Social Security card several years ago for work and still have it in the safe. It's a shame they won't just accept at least 2 other RealID-compliant IDs, like my passport and HSPD-12 PIV card and instead require SSN; that would have made it far easier since I have those handy already.

I'll make sure to bring my GE card for domestic travel, although a FL DL is real ID compliant.

I received a new SS card in the mail within the last year-ish. I also did not have to go to the office, all identity verification was done online.

I applied for a replacement SSN card online, the card was mailed without an in office visit.

My wife needed a new one and it was a non issue as well.

Curiously, Arizona doesn't require physical documentation of the SSN; you simply need to know the number.

The thing that hangs me up is the requirement for two "documents or mail issued from a business, organization, tribal or government agency that contain both Applicant name and Current residential address". My residential address is not deliverable by the Postal Service. All mail from a "business, organization, tribal or government agency" is sent to our PO Box. Even the utility bills don't have the physical address (although the utility company obviously knows where we are).

Using my passport or GE card at the airport is far simpler than jumping through the 'Real ID' hoops.

And the DMV folks are just so into "Real ID" that they automatically go into the spiel of "you don't have the right documentation." Drove me freakin' nuts. I responded that "I don't want Real ID. A drivers license has no purpose other than to drive; I have GE to travel... that is it's purpose."

Interesting. Looks like some cases but not others.

How can we be sure that you are the real exerda and not an imposter?

That's about how I memorized my SSN, it was my student ID number in high school. It's literally printed on my high school ID 😳