Social Security Administration

S Zarate you are incredibly rude and have zero people skills. Thank you for not returning any of my grandmothers calls. She missed her appointment because she never received notice of an appointment because the mail notice never came. Now her benefits have stopped and S Zarate just doesn’t seem to want to help. We’ve made two visit to this office trying to see what it is she needs from my grandmother to reinstate her social security benefits but all she managed to help us with was «I told you not to come, I will call you». Wow!

I waited for nearly 4 (yes, 4) hours to have my 90 year old mother seen for her issues. The security guard from hell is officious and rude. At one point, he refused to do his job when I asked him a question. They must not pay very well to get this awful caliber of person. The people behind their windows were a bit better although when I complained about waiting, the woman who finally served us just laughed and said that everyone comes in at that time (who knew?). I was unimpressed with the empathy they showed towards their customers. One woman at one of the windows was just sobbing, another was visibly angry and yet another told me her story of total non-​helpfulness by current staff. No, this agency is not even good enough for government work!

I was in and out in less than 10 minutes! I didn’t have an appointment but had my application already filled out for a name change (got married!). It was 9 minutes to be exact. I’m sure your wait time will vary depending on the service you request. Staff was friendly and efficient. I went in at 1pm on a Tuesday afternoon which may have also contributed to my luck here.

I have mixed feelings re: SSA. I came to change my name and was told to come early before they opened. I came on a Thursday and I arrived at 915am. (Opens at 9am) The parking lot was already full and I had to park along the street. Luckily there was parking; otherwise had I came in another 15 mins there would be none and I would have walked several blocks.
As I walked up, there was no line outside and the security guard told me to come in. There was a line but only with about 3 people ahead of me. There was a lady who was manning the automated computer system that checks you in with a number. Then you take a seat. It’s a little awkward when you are in line waiting for a number because there are rows of chairs facing you and about 30 people looking straight at you. So I found a seat and about 15 mins later, my number was called. COOL, I thought, this is pretty fast!
Little did I know, the lady was to «check me in» and asked about the reason for my visit. When I told the lady that I had just gotten married and I was legally changing my name, she checked my marriage certificate and application and said «Ok, this is all you need. Please have a seat. The wait at this point is about 20 mins.» ummm OK… I felt I was tricked!
2 mins later I was again sitting in the waiting room. It wasn’t until an hour later when I was finally called. When I approached the gentleman, I provided my application and my marriage license. 5 mins later, I was done… Seriously?! All that wait for a total of 7 mins face time??? There must be a faster way…
Anyways, friendly service and clean facilities. I felt a little claustrophobic waiting since it was a little warm in the wait room and the seats were just too close together. Unfortunately, you cannot schedule an appointment at the SS office and you are forced to wait.
Note: For a name change, all you need is the filled out application and a certified copy of your marriage certificate. You can now apply for a new DL as this information is now available for electronic lookup. It’s best to schedule an appointment for the DMV though.

A little confusing when getting to the Social Security office having to sign in on the computer security guard was really kind and helpful getting you signing and instructions I was a little upset when I got there their parking lot it’s a little small and you can’t really park next door in the bank because they will tow your car but the security officer was really kind as well as the other people who helped me change my name the security officer even offer to hold my number while I move my car to parking space when one became open spent about 2 hours waiting to change my name I expected to be a little bit more crowded and possibly waiting 5 hour I expected the process to be a lot slower so they exceeded my expectations only bad part is the parking was really small and I can’t believe your car will get towed if you park next door

Reason for visit: A new social security card. Check in was quick. Approximately 30 persons waiting. Security guard pleasant. Teller whom processed my info was very polite and pleasant. Visit time 15min.

Worst system ever. This makes the dmv seem enjoyable. First there’s a wait outside the building. Then when they finally call you in, you check in on a machine putting in your ssn and info of why you’re there. Then you get a number and wait forever (for me it was 45 min) then they call your number all to ask «why you’re there…» (AGAIN!) then you go back and wait AGAIN! my advice, don’t lose your card, retire, get married or do anything that would require you to be here. I get cleaned out from taxes every two weeks, the LEAST they can do here is shell out a few bucks for Wi-​Fi. Jesus!
2 stars because the 2 people I dealt with were nice-​ish.

Came here to change my name with no appointment and I was in and out within 15 minutes! Amazingly quick service! & everyone was very nice! :)

Quickly in and out to get a new social security card for my name change. All the staff was pleasant.

Not bad for walk in service. I came here for a name change and the guard at the door was helpful and kind. I was told the wait was 25 minutes, but it ended up being an hour. When it was my turn, the process took 5 minutes. It was lightning fast and the staff was great to work with. All they needed was the form I completed online and the actual marriage certificate. So easy.

Very good service. I went today @7 because the automated message said that 7 was the time they opened. We got there. they open at 9. We waited since we were going to be the 2^nd in line anyway. Everything took about 15, of course. after the 2 hour wait in the car.

Been to the one in San Marcos four times to speak to a representative behind the window. I needed info on how SS works. Not one appeared to have time or interest in helping me determine the advantages /​disadvantages of early retirement and how my defined benefits plan could be affected. In fact, I received differing brief answers from 3 of the workers.
Didn’t have appt, so waited about an hour. Months later, I’m still going to have to take time off work in hope of finding that one individual whose face has an expression other than glazed boredom.
At least the guard at the door is polite and human. Two stars are for him.

Got there 10 minutes before they opened and when they started letting people in it was a steady flow of people going in and out. Door man/​security was very helpful and was very detailed on what i needed before getting in the main line. The help i got at the window was remarkable. They answered all my questions and enthusiastic about helping me. I was in and out in less than an hour. I highly recommend this location

If you’re an Asshole, you can work here… terrible service. Just a quick reminder you had a job, because us.

Wow I never thought I would be giving five stars to a government agency! I came here last week to get a new Social Security card and I was there for just a little over an hour. I did not have an appointment so I stood in line outside for about 10 minutes before the security guard let me in; once inside I waited about 55 minutes to be called up. Once at my window everything was really fast. The guy who helped me was nice, helpful, quick, and efficient. He was also young and pretty cute, haha. I was told I would get my new Social Security card mailed to me within two weeks. Since it was right before Christmas and before the new year I thought to myself that it would take longer due to the holidays but I got my new Social Security card in the mail exactly a week later. So glad that something can be fast and hassle free!

Purpose of my trip here was to change my last name as I recently got married. I live in valley center and work in sorrento valley. This was closest to home. I could have gone to other locations like downtown but I try to avoid driving in downtown as much as possible.
I initially thought about going to the office before work on a Friday so I can get there before the office opens and be one of the first ones there. I was trying to avoid the long wait. Then I found out it opened at 9, not 8, so I decided to just go to work first and come here after. I was preparing myself to wait a long time so I brought a magazine and made sure my phone was charged. This place is easy to get to and there is plenty of parking. I walked to the door and there was no line getting in. I was given a number and sat down. I filled out the paperwork prior to arriving but the security will help you out if you don’t have the paperwork. Anyways, 15 minutes later my number got called and the worker verified a few things and printed out a document saying I changed it. I even got the marriage certificate back. When I left, there was a small line getting in.
I believe you do have the option of mailing in the application to change your name with a certified marriage certificate. I get worried about mail getting lost so that’s why I came here :). People go to the social security office for various purposes. Their bad experience here may be due to purposes other than changing their name.

I was absolutely dreading coming here to change my name– thinking it would be just like a trip to the DMV. I could no have been more wrong!
1) So quick! From the time I parked my car to the time I left it was no joke 15 minutes– and I was legally changing my name. So simple!
2) The staff was so nice and pleasant.
3) The security guard helps you as soon as you walk in and gets you all set.
4) Parking was a breeze and the location was super convenient– right off the 78.

So, I was really dreading going to get my name changed at the Social Security office especially since they didn’t offer appointments for this service. I decided to rip off the bandaid and go in this morning… I headed over a little bit early before they opened… I arrived about 10 min before 9:00am and there was a huge line already, but they were already checking people in! After it was all said and done, I was in and out of there in under an hour! I have to say, this office knows what they are doing and were able to get people in and out in a timely manner. I also want to mention… everyone working that I came in contact with had a pleasant demeanor as well!

I may have already arrived here in a grumpy mood, most likely because I had just spent two hours at the DMV in Oceanside, dragged myself here, expected a short visit because a lot of the Unilocal reviews… but I was wrong, soooo wrong.
It was a Tuesday afternoon around 12pm. I stood in line behind about 5 people just to get called into the main room. The security guard who was calling each individual in and getting their basic information was pretty rude and seemed to take his job way too seriously.
I was given my call number and told to fill out the form I was provided once I explained to the guard what service id be needing. The lobby was PACKED. I refused to get a seat right away because it would’ve been one of those awkward things where you have to walk sideways between an old man who’s half asleep with his legs stretched across the aisle, and mother and her 5 kids who’ve seemed to have made a play pen by their seat.
I’ve given the second star because the office was very clean… the people who were sitting by me weren’t.but that’s besides the point.
The chairs in the lobby were extremely uncomfortable and squeaky. It took TWO HOURS for my number to be called. Once I was called inside «room A» I was helped by an older guy who just wanted to get his job done and a girl who shared the office with him said «Is there still a line out the door?» I said «yes.» The girl let out an exhausted «UGH» and plopped down into her chair.
Two stars because once my number was finally called, the process was quick but the two hour wait was just completely ridiculous.

Wow! Fast, easy & friendly! Went on a Thursday @ 2:00 pm without an appointment to get a replacement card. Was totally prepared to wait forever and it only took 5 min! Stoked!