I've been trying to get my wife a social security number for about two years. We submitted all required documents but because of SSA's mistake we have to start from scratch. Without this card, my wife cannot even start the process of getting a driver's license. After 5 hours (no exaggeration) on the phone talking to multiple people, each with a different answer, I was told to send in original documents in an unsecured fashion. Now I have to wait two weeks to get an appointment for an undisclosed date. User's recommendation: Write your senator and recall your governor.