Social Security Administration

We got there before they opened and was out 20 mins after! I would just recommend having all your paper work ready and be there early!

Like the MVA (or DMV for non-​locals), this is one of the nine circles of hell. (Where my Dante fans at?) With that in mind, this place is a solid 4-​stars as long as you are prepared for a potentially 2 – 3 hour wait.
1. Bring ALL of your documents and bring more than you need. This will prevent you from wasting your time. Also, bring entertainment that does not require your phone — books, magazines, knitting/​crocheting, crossword puzzles, sudoku… you get the idea. Phone calls are banned, and there aren’t enough outlets to recharge your phone if you rely on it solely while you wait.
2. Go to the rear corner and check-​in at the computer. You’ll receive a receipt with your number in line. Once it’s your turn, they’ll flash it on the TV screen above and will call it out as well. Pay attention because they’ll only call you 3x. If you miss it, you’re out of luck.
3. When you’re up, let them know what you’re there for and keep the chit chat at a minimum.
I lucked out and was in and out in an hour and 15 minutes. (Plus, I got a really nice guy who was quick and efficient!) However, I overheard others were waiting for about 3 hours for a mere 5 minute interaction. Keep in mind that some people who arrive after you, may be called before you depending on the nature of their business.
Good luck and hope you have a less than hell-​ish experience!

I went to the Social Security Administration in Rockville Md. I must say that its a lot of work for the staffs. They are working with people all over the world. Each time they are helping someone they are professional and they try. Many people comes in without the information is requested from them. They sometimes have an attitude, so they bring that too. Witheverthing else I believed this is what causes so much delayed and confusion for the clients.
However, the staff continue to be ready to handle the matter professionally without having any attitude towards the clients.
With that I SALUTE them for their hard work and their support. Thank you to all the staffs at Rockville Maryland Social Security Office.
I give Mr. Carlos Arce a FIVE STARS for his support, time, explaining to me the details of my benefit, his honesty, his professional approach and most of all he listen. It’s not easy to find someone who will take the time to listen to you. Then provide you the right information that you need.
Mr. Arce continue to do your grateness in your professional field you will be successful.

Not a bad wait when applying to continue receiving benefits. Others have been waiting for 3+ hours.

Got there at 8 and there were already a few people waiting. They open at 9; I was done by 9:15. It was quick and efficient.

Back before Thanksgiving I had to visit the Social Security Administration to get a replacement social security card, and the Unilocal reviews for the Rockville location left me very apprehensive!
I arrived right after opening and had to wait in a line to get a number. After getting my number I started filling out the request form for a replacement social security card, but before I could finish they were already calling my number! I was whisked into the back where I met with a very nice woman who helped me finish completing my form, entered it into the computer, and then wished me a Happy Thanksgiving! I was a bit flabbergasted and told her I was surprised at how quick it all was, to which she replied, «well hopefully we are doing something right then!»
This location does have quite a large number of people requesting services. Perhaps this office has improved recently, but from what I could tell the employees work very hard and have to cope with a very large number of requests. Despite that, they got me in and out very quickly. Perhaps it was just the straight-​forward request I had, but I was very impressed with the service I received.

Pleasantly surprised… I went to change my name and get an updated card. I had my ID and marriage certificate… So there was no issue when I got up to the counter. One, hopefully minor hiccup, was that the guy mistyped my name twice and indicated it was just a typo… So I’m hoping he changed it and there won’t be a delay in getting my card.
Tip: if you’re willing to get there at 8am and wait outside until the doors are unlocked at 8:45 — then you should be out the door in 15 min. Bring something warm to drink while you’re outside and a book for inside — just in case.

I applied for a social security replacement a month ago at the Rockville, Maryland office. As of today, I still have not received the replacement card. I called the Social Security general information number 1−800−772−1213, was told to call the Rockville MD office before next week, and they will reprocess my application over the phone. I called the Rockville MD office. Over the phone, the Rockville MD representative just wanted to argue that I should have received it. (Sure, I have nothing better to do than dealing and arguing with SS agency all day). She also insisted I need to go to the Rockville MD office again and reapply in person. I told her that’s not what I was told by the general information representative earlier. I asked her to reprocess it again over the phone. She stopped arguing. At this point, I have no faith that she will actually reprocess my application. Very rude, inconsistent, and incompetent.

Government offices by and large have vastly improved the process of accommodating large lines of folks and telling the same information to everyone. This Social Security office remains an exception. They appear to have improved with their numbering system and auto ticketing, but if you’re a first time visitor, how to get that ticket is very confusing.
Although I understand the need for all the rules with such lines (no food, no leaning against the wall, no stepping over the painted white line), I felt like I had returned to boot camp. Try to get a drink of water — it looks as if you’re cutting into the line to get a ticket.
The security guard in place the day I spent there was excellent at controlling the crowds without demeaning them.

why do they have reps that do not speak English work at the Rockville office? why do reps refuse to give their names over the phone? winn and ms de silva should be terminated. they do not want to be accountable for their lack of actions. I sent my taped recordings to my state senator’s office for her review. long wait times and mis information would be greatly reduced if the reps were accountable for their actions.

Please be prepared to wait, wait and wait some more. Apparently, you can schedule an appointment. If you don’t want to waste away hours on a hard bench I would advise you to take advantage of this service. I don’t know why I thought that I could do this during my lunch break. Thank God that I have an understanding boss.
On a side note, I thought that the security officers were going to pin me on the floor for using the phone.
Ms. Merrick guest service skills made my wait all the better. She’s a doll, caring, fast and super sweet so I had to alter the number of stars because of…

People seem to hate this place, but I had a good experience. Went in after a dental appointment on a Monday, after 11, and the place was pretty full. I had to get a new SS card because I misplaced my old one, and the security guard directed me to the little computer screen that would give me my magic ticket number. Easy to use, no fuss. I had my paperwork already filled out on-​line, so I didn’t have any issues with that. Waited about an hour or so and got called in to the back offices (back behind the counter). Lady was nice, professional, and quick; I was in and out in about 10 minutes (and with proof of SSN that I could show while my card was mailed to me). I was told it would take 7 – 14 days to get the card, got it the following Thursday (3 days later). I was expecting the worse, especially since I didn’t show up before the place opened, and it wasn’t bad.
My big beef: the hours. The place closes at noon on Wednesdays, which is a little inconvenient, and 3 pm is a little early for many folks.

This office is surprisingly slow compared to most others I have visited.

Ok, heeded the previous warnings about this office… which all came to be true and worse!
Came in for a ssn name change with my marriage certificate. Arrived 10 minutes before 9am opening, and there was already a line outside of oh, say 40 people!!! They had lawn chairs and everything!
Ok, so I’m towing my 4 year old along, thinking I myself, well, at least I have my Starbucks latte and smart phone…
As I’m going through the glass door before even arriving into the lobby, the security guard is tapping on the glass to me pointing at a sign that says, «no food or drink»…wtf, goodbye latte as I throw it into the trash outside. And there’s also a sign that says to shut off your phone! Yeah didn’t follow that one, but certainly saw quite a few people getting yelled at because they came up to the window still on their phone (way rude!)…Ok i get through the door and take a number and a form. There was a lady assisting with check in, which was nice, considering how confusing it can be. She checked my marriage certificate and ID, gave me a number, and took a seat. Well, there’s only 4 rows of seats that sit maybe 35 – 40 people total. Not enough seating for the masses, FYI. There was 15 – 20 people standing at all times.
So now you sit and wait for your number to be called. There were 5 different sets of numbers (b234, C40, etc). And then there’s a screen mounted up over the front window which previews the number immediately before you are called. My series of numbers went from B240 to B249 in 2 hours before I was called. My series of numbers were called in order, but some of the other series were not. While waiting, saw a lot of people get up and get upset at the security guard… because you are not allowed to go up to the window and ask anything to the people working behind the counter. Felt bad for him… and he would continually tell everyone that numbers are not called in order, and to have patience. It was pretty crazy.
Anyways, 1 hour and 54 minutes later, my number was called. She takes my document and IDs, prints off a form to have me verify the new data. The marriage date and spelling of my last name was wrong, so make sure you look closely before submitting because there’s no way you are going to want to come back!
Then we left… And there were people with lattes in the lobby as I got up to leave… so maybe the no food or drinks rule only applied the first 5 minutes… or because the security guard was just as fed up as everyone else was in the lobby!
So again, it was a bad experience, but exactly what I expected thanks to the reviews I read before! My advice, get an appt for 9am if you can! They did have a lady in the lobby at 9am pulling people with appt sheets. Also, don’t expect to be in and out! Even the first woman in line with a lawn chair didn’t leave for 40 minutes! Also, I did hear the security guard say that when they close, they lock the door and anyone left in the lobby will still be helped. So maybe try going 5 minutes before they close! I guarantee they will be in a rush to get you the heck outta there so they can go home! Good luck, and bring lots of patience with you!

I read the previous reviews here so I knew what to expect. I needed to change my name after getting married so I arrived at 8:00 am on a Friday and there were only 6 people waiting outside already. If I had the energy I would have brought a folding chair with me but I sat outside on my folder full of paperwork instead.
Right before 9:00 am the security guard opened the door and told us no food/​drinks/​cell phones to be used inside. We went to the check in computer with the help of one lady who works there and got our numbers. By 9:15 my number was called. I ended up in the back office instead of the front windows because they knew the line was long and they were trying to help speed things along somewhat (back offices are not usually for name changes or replacement cards — it’s more for SSA benefit stuff). I was done by 9:30 am, so all in all it was a successful visit considering I had to get there an hour before they opened.

If you want to change your last name due to marriage, you have two, horrible options:
–Come to the SSA office and wait hours for your number to be called (you get a sticker and stand and hope for the best… it is PACKED).
–Mail in your form and precious documents and wait for 6 weeks
The downside of this is that none of this information is online – it only says that you can expect a 7 – 14 day wait, when in reality, there is only ONE person servicing mail-​in forms. If you’re not rushing to travel anywhere, then you can do the mail in option (but please, certify your mail!). Otherwise, you can show your documents in person and take them home with you and wait for the updated card in the mail. The staff sent me in loops regarding who to speak to (first, the Rockville phone number they provided was actually some spiritual healer’s), the next staff said my package wasn’t there and to talk to a Melissa, the next staff said that there was no Melissa and that my package was there but on a waiting list.
Good grief. Marriage woes, yo.

This place is HORRIBLE!!! I was trying to get a SS number for my adopted daughter. Waited 5 hours, then gave up. My wife went back, and waited another 3 hours!
Needless to say, expect a LONG WAIT, and extremely rude employees. The place itself is depressing.

Came in at 8:32am (2 minutes after they opened) on a Wednesday only to wait an hour and 45 minutes to get my new card.
There’s tons of signs every where with directions, so make sure you read them all or you’ll probably be waking even longer.
As other Unilocalers stated, you stand in line to receive a number from window #1. Then you wait, wait, and wait some more. Once it’s your turn, you’ll hear your number called and see it flash on the TV screen. Make sure you listen carefully… after three times, they move on to the next number and you have to start the process all over again!
Finally my turn is up and I went to window #1. I was confused since I though this window was only for check-​in. Oh well, I’m up! There’s minimal talking between you and the person behind the window. Tell them what you are there for and hand over all your paper work. In less than five minutes, I was out of there with a paper stating that my new card will arrive within two weeks (it takes about 24 hours for it to update in the system, though).
Be prepared for a long wait (which I was), so I came prepared with magazines to read. Also, don’t use your cell phone or text. The guard will yell at you!

I had a pretty identical experience here to the other Unilocaler.
When you walk in, it’s not clear exactly what the protocol is. There are no noticeable signs explaining what to do. After asking the security guard, I stood in the the one and only line for window #1 to wait for my ticket.
I really don’t understand the system after that. There is a separate room where other workers sat in cubicles. Some people were called into this room. But there were also one or two windows in the front of the main room where people were being helped.
My recommendations?
1. Make an appointment. I didn’t know you could do this, but several times in my many minutes of waiting, a lady asked that anyone with an appointment move to the front of the line.
2. If you can’t make an appointment, don’t go so close to lunch hours. I arrived around 11:30 and suspect this didn’t help too much with the amount of time it took.
3. Bring a good book. It sure helped the minutes pass by.

Expect a long, long wait. Went in on a Wednesday morning at 10pm, didn’t finish until 12:00pm.
When you enter, you first enter the line to check-​in (approx 20 min). After they give you a number, wait for another 1.5 hours. It feels like there’s a staff shortage. Service seemed too a bit slow, it’s obvious these people are tired of doing data entry all day. If possible, try to make an appointment in advance.
The waiting room is awkward. There are way too many people, but it’s interesting to take a look at all the people from diverse backgrounds all in one small waiting room. Most of the time, there’s an eerie silence, but you can hear some interesting phone conversations sometimes…
I like the friendly security guard who sits in the office. Makes the office feels safe.