Find your local office's fax number with the SSA Office Locator by entering your ZIP code, or use the number on your SSA letter. Put the SSA letter on top, scan everything into one PDF, and send it with an online fax service. Note that SSA no longer accepts faxed benefit applications as validly signed.
Social Security often asks for proof: a birth certificate copy, a medical record, a pay stub, or a signed form. If your local office says "you can fax it," here's how to do that correctly, without a fax machine.
Does Social Security accept faxes?
Yes, for many documents. In a May 2025 post, SSA explains that if you need to submit forms, documents, or other information to your local office, "you'll find the mailing address and fax number by entering your zip code in our online office locator" (SSA Blog). The locator is at ssa.gov/locator. There are some important limits, though.
What SSA does not accept as valid by fax
In 2023, SSA announced it would no longer accept faxed, signed benefit applications as valid applications. That change came after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. A faxed application can still help establish a protective filing date. SSA will then contact the claimant to review the information and get a valid signature (SSA, September 2023). In plain terms: you can fax supporting documents, but don't count on a faxed application being your final, signed application.
How do I find the right SSA fax number?
| Situation | Where the fax number comes from |
|---|---|
| You were asked to send documents to your local office | SSA Office Locator (enter your ZIP code) |
| You received a letter asking for documents | The fax number printed on that letter |
| Medical or school records for a disability claim | The fax number on the request letter with the barcode (SSA Electronic Records Express) |
| An appeal or hearing | Ask the office handling your case, or check your letter |
If two sources disagree, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., as listed by SSA) and ask which number to use (SSA Blog).
How do I fax documents to Social Security step by step?
- Get the correct fax number from the locator or your letter.
- Put the right page first. Include a copy of SSA's letter or a cover sheet with your full name, the claimant's name if different, a phone number, and what you're sending. Many people also add the last four digits of the Social Security number. Follow any instructions on your letter.
- Scan your documents into one PDF. Make sure every page is readable. See How to fax from your iPhone for easy scanning steps.
- Send it. On sendfaxfast.com, enter the SSA fax number with +1, upload your PDF, and pay for that one fax. There's no account and no subscription.
- Keep proof. Save the PDF, your receipt, and any status information.
- Follow up. A few business days later, call the office and ask whether your documents were received and added to your file.
What does it cost?
| Fax type | Pages | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Short fax | 1–5 | $2.49 |
| Long fax | 6–20 | $3.49 |
| XL fax | 21–40 | $4.99 |
| XL Fax Plus | 41–100 | from $6.24 |
Prices per fax as of October 2026, the same for the US & Canada (+1), Australia (+61), New Zealand (+64), and 39 more supported countries. XL Fax Plus costs $4.99 plus $1.25 for each started 10 pages beyond 40. Maximum 100 pages per fax. Single faxes need no account and no subscription.
What about medical records for a disability claim?
Doctors, hospitals, and schools often send records to SSA or the state Disability Determination Services (DDS). SSA's Electronic Records Express FAQ sets out a few clear rules:
- The request letter with the barcode must be the first page. The barcode links the records to the right disability file. Without it, SSA says there may be "significant delays."
- If you're sending records from several providers, each provider's records should start with the barcode page.
- Don't fax more than 200 pages at a time.
- PC fax software is allowed, as long as the barcode page comes first.
Note that sendfaxfast.com accepts up to 100 pages per fax. Start each fax with the barcode page if it's for a disability file.
How do I know SSA got my fax?
SSA's records FAQ says that when you send by fax, your fax machine "should indicate a successful transmission including the number of pages that were sent" (SSA). That tells you the pages reached SSA's fax system. It doesn't tell you a person has filed them in your case yet. That's why a follow-up call is smart, especially before a deadline. For more on confirmations, read How do I know my fax went through?
Is there a way to skip the fax?
Sometimes. With a personal my Social Security account, SSA says you can "electronically submit certain forms and documents to your local office" and will send a text or email after a successful submission (SSA Blog). If you can't or don't want to use an online account, fax and mail are still options.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fax number for Social Security?
There isn't one national fax number for the public. Each local office has its own. Find yours with the SSA Office Locator by entering your ZIP code, or use the number on your SSA letter.
Can I fax my Social Security application?
You can fax it to establish a protective filing date, but SSA no longer accepts faxed, signed applications as valid. SSA will contact you to review it and get a valid signature.
Can I fax a copy of my birth certificate to SSA?
Ask your local office first. For proof of citizenship, for example, SSA asks for original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency and doesn't accept photocopies (SSA). A faxed copy may not be enough, so check what your letter or the office asks for.
How many pages can I fax to Social Security?
For disability records sent through Electronic Records Express, SSA says not to fax more than 200 pages. With sendfaxfast.com, each fax can be up to 100 pages.
Can I fax SSA from my phone?
Yes. Scan your documents to a PDF on your phone and send them through an online fax service like sendfaxfast.com.