Social Security Administration

So painless!
I went in on a Tuesday at 2pm for a name change (update my SS) without an appointment. Supposedly there’s some magical way to get one/​no info online.
I walked in to no line. I went straight to the ticket machine to get my ticket. Got called in 15 min and finished my process by 2:25. That means I was in and out in less than 30 min!
Clean, organized, friendly staff
Win!
Tip: go in the afternoon (after the lunch rush)

Hello San Franciscans, I heartily recommend this office.
Professional, clean, safe, friendly and efficient.
Got my things done without any pains.
This office can be the model of all the Social Security Administration in San Francisco.

It was very crowded when I went. All the people sitting in the waiting area. The waiting was almost unbearable and the people I sat next to had their mouths opened and this one older gentleman sitting one seat from me had frequently drawed in his breath toward me and it stank and I wanted to barf because I couldn’t bare to breathe in someone’s nasty ass breath! It smells!
On the plus side. They do have a nice security guard working there and he was friendly to me as I walked in after doing a check search.

Just want to say great security guard trying to help old Chinese ladies!
In and out less than an hour

Visited Kearny Street SSA today and was greeted nicely by the guard and the system at this office is far better than Valencia Street. One only has to wait once, not twice to get assistance. The staff are friendly, competent, knowledgeable, caring, and want to you to get the help you need. Very impressed.
Tips: I got there at 8:25, about 10 people in line, but some were just accompanying others, doors open at 8:45; guard checks you over carefully, then you get a number, and we waited about 10 minutes after the day began at 9. Our issue was sort of complicated and we also applied for SSA benefits, so it took a bit of time, out of 9:45. But the wait was not bad.

Had to go in for my name change after getting married. Got there at 8:30 and there was already a line of 12 people. They started letting people in at 8:45 to get a number and at 9:05 my number was called! They must prioritize name changes. So easy and the receptionist was so nice and friendly! Parked on CAlifornia and there were easy metered spots on the hill.

Smooth, efficient, easy. I was impressed at my experience — well done SSA SF!

Came here to get my new SSN. Make sure to keep a two hour window in mind.
Arrived here at 1:11pm on a Tuesday. Had my ss-​5 already filled and printed so went ahead. It says get a Ticket but doesn’t say where from. All they got to do is turn around the ticketing machines towards the entrance not away from it. Its next to the security desk.
Anyway, got my call in about 80 minutes and missed my call because there are two ticket calls going on. One on the speaker and other in the office by a person. And the person called my ticket and some Chinese words. I thought its someone else’s name but she was actually pronouncing the ticket number in Chinese.
Anyway, 7 minutes is all it took for the interview. They told me I should get my SSN within a month.
They just needed to see my passport and i-​94 printout.
Overall, a good experience but can be better.
Oh, and the ticket calling is mostly random so don’t judge the time by the current ticket calls.
Edit: I got my SSN in 3 weeks by mail.

I can’t believe I am reviewing Social Security. What?!? So I expected the visit to be a painful experience, and it turned out rather painlessly. Thank goodness. In and out of there under 40 minutes. If you expected less time than that, you have to check your expectation. It’s a government agency afterall.
No hassle. Resolved under 1 hour. BAM! DONE!
I did do my research and downloaded a form before going, so that may have also saved a few minutes. #Impressed. #Surprised. #YouRock

As far as government office experiences go, this one was quick and virtually painless. I work nearby and walked in around 11:15am to change my name after getting married. At first I was freaked out by the crowd and what looked like a huge wait (I was number 94, and they were on 62), but they must expedite service for people with simple changes like mine. It took all of 5 minutes once they called me and I was back at my office by noon.

I came here on a Wednesday at 10:30 am to get a social security card replacement. I didn’t have an appointment, but I had my form with all my information filled out (you can get it online) and brought all my documents. I took a number and waited here for about 20 minutes. I was called and it took about 5 minutes for the woman to fill out my info on her computer. This was surprisingly fast and efficient. Overall, I was in and out in 25 minutes. I’m not sure if this applies to all the services they provide, but if you’re getting a ssc replacement, I’d recommend this place. FYI, it’ll take 2 weeks for the new card to come in the mail.
Update: My replacement card came in the mail less than a week!

To have come without an appointment and be finished with my business in about an hour is truly impressive. This is what I experienced in this branch of Social Security Administration, which I chose because it is near my work.
The process is fairly easy. You have to get in line and be subjected to a brief security check. The guard only asked to inspect my purse and I did not have to take off my shoes. The line was long, but it moved in a reasonable pace. If you are in a hurry and/​or just trying to be more efficient, make an appointment.
Convenient and surprisingly more efficient than others, this SSA branch helped me reclaim my name without much of a hassle. If you are in the Financial District and have business with the SSA, this location is where you should go.

I came here during my lunch break on a Friday to get my name changed. You’ll have to show your bag to the security guard when you walk in, then use a touch screen computer to get a number. There are five windows but only three were used from 12 pm to 1 pm, so I don’t know if the other two employees were on their lunch break or if they only have three windows available at all times. After I got my number, I noticed that there were 14 numbers ahead of me. It took about 70 minutes for them to call my number, and once I got to the service window it only took five minutes to complete the paperwork. I just brought my marriage certificate, the form, which I had filled out beforehand, and my passport, and that was sufficient.

I was expecting completely drudgery when I walked in today without an appointment. I was expecting a massive line with grumpy people and even grumpier employees. In other words, I expected the worst. The whole process was painless, though. I walked in, I took a number, I was called 30 minutes later and then I was done… easy-​peasy!
I should note that I came in on a Friday around 11AM. Seems to be the money-​time slot if you don’t want to wait!

I found parking at Portsmouth Garage (733 Kearney at Grant). I arrived at 10:45 am and the whole room was full. I stood for 20 minutes and read a book. I was seen at 11:30 am. By that time, the room had thinned at.
My advice is to go at 9 am or before it opens. If that fails, try the afternoon. I never found out how to make an appointment online, so I showed up without an appointment. The security guard showed me where to take a number (on the wall, near the bathroom). From there, I filled out the How to Get a Social Security Card, which is the same form as a name change. I brought only my marriage certificate and a drivers license and that was all that was required. Just in case, bring your birth certificate and passport. The lady at the desk took less than 10 minutes to process the paper work.

The long line looks daunting but it moves pretty quickly. I arrived shortly after 9am and was out by 10. Don’t be discouraged. They’re friendly and efficient once you get to the window :-)

Waited less than an hour at a government office. I consider that a victory.

Mrs. To assisted me here after a brief wait. I didn’t have an appointment and I should probably have made one. In any case, you can’t choose the person who’ll serve you, but if you’re lucky enough to get Mrs. To, you’ll find she is efficient, knowledgeable and courteous. I dreaded this visit thinking the experience would be like that of a trip to the DMV but it was rather pleasant!

Got there on a Thursday morning at 830am for a replacement card. There were a number of people in line already. Signed in at a computer terminal just before 9am and was given number 25. My number was called in about 10 minutes, but that was just to check in again. Another 10 minutes later and my name was called. I had all my paperwork pre-​prepared and I was on my way by 930am.