u/lesleh

Quick follow up since my original post got removed. Short version of the original: my partner is American, lived in London about 10 years, passport expired last week, and she had no idea what her SSN was. Lost the card years ago, no US documents over here, nothing to dig through. We were stuck. Here is what actually worked.

She booked an in person appointment at the Federal Benefits Unit at the US Embassy in London. Getting the appointment was the hardest part honestly, contacting them is a nightmare, but once she had a slot the rest was straightforward.

She brought her expired US passport as ID. That was it. They verified her identity, looked her up in the system, and told her the SSN verbally at the appointment. Walked out with the number written down. From there the passport renewal by mail is a normal DS-82 since hers expired under 15 years ago.

If anyone is in the same boat, the FBU appointment is the answer. Do not bother trying to renew the passport with the SSN field blank or marked unknown, I called the passport centre and they confirmed they will reject the application. You need the actual number. The FBU can give it to you.

My partner is American and has been living in London for about 10 years. Her passport expired last week and we’re trying to get it renewed but we’ve hit a wall with her Social Security number. She genuinely doesn’t know it, lost the card years ago and has zero documents over here with it on. No old tax returns, no pay stubs, nothing.

Everything I’ve read says the Federal Benefits Unit at the US Embassy is how you sort this out, but actually contacting them is a joke. Emails go unanswered, there’s no direct phone line, and we can’t figure out if walk-ins are even possible or whether you just get turned away at the gate.

The passport being expired does complicate things but from what I understand she still has a window to renew by mail as long as it was issued less than 15 years ago, which it was. So that’s something at least.

Has anyone actually managed to get through to the FBU or just turned up in person? Did it work? Also open to any other suggestions for tracking down an SSN from abroad because we’re going round in circles a bit.