Do I NEED a SS card?

I have moved my US state of residence to Texas and while I was over there this year I got a new driver's license but they required a SS card or proof of SS to issue this. I lost my original SS card, applied for a replacement while over there, and that was lost in the mail (not having much luck!) so I thought OK, I'll get one when I'm back in the UK.

The US Embassy website says you don't need one and it looks like they don't issue them, or try not to, plus you have to mail in your original passport and birth certificate (and I was born in the UK so have a Consular Report, good luck trying to replace that if I lose it).

So do I actually NEED a SS card, for anything other than getting a new Texas license (I used the printout the SS office in TX gave me as proof, and I think I still have that).

Not particularly. I lost mine and didn't worry for years, until I was planning on moving back to the us.

Your passport is a more certain form of ID than a SS card--I can't imagine you not being able to use that.

I still live in Texas now, and I've never had to show them my SS card in order to get my driver's license. I just showed them my ID card, and they were fine with it. Maybe it depends on the office?

I can't remember ever needing my SS card in the last 30 years.

I still live in Texas now, and I've never had to show them my SS card in order to get my driver's license. I just showed them my ID card, and they were fine with it. Maybe it depends on the office?

New tx residents are required to show it. I just did this about 4 weeks ago.

I think its to do with the Real ID Act of 2005. I needed my SS card to renew my FL license

I still live in Texas now, and I've never had to show them my SS card in order to get my driver's license. I just showed them my ID card, and they were fine with it. Maybe it depends on the office?

I also live in Texas, and we were required to show it when my daughter got her license back in 2008.  We also had to prove she is a US citizen (she is) or has the legal right to be in the US.  She was born in Texas, and we had to show her birth certificate too.

I forgot I'd posted this - guess I may need it at some stage - does anyone know how to get one other than go to a SS office in Texas and get it mailed to someone in TX?

I forgot I'd posted this - guess I may need it at some stage - does anyone know how to get one other than go to a SS office in Texas and get it mailed to someone in TX?

Assuming you know your SS number then it should be easy to get a replacement card online.  My wife just registered online yesterday to get a SS statement of benefits and to create an account online you are asked a few questions that only you would know, such as "You have a credit card with Citibank, what year did you first get that card?"  (your Credit Card has that number printed on it, customer since xxxx)
http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/

Assuming you know your SS number then it should be easy to get a replacement card online.  My wife just registered online yesterday to get a SS statement of benefits and to create an account online you are asked a few questions that only you would know, such as "You have a credit card with Citibank, what year did you first get that card?"  (your Credit Card has that number printed on it, customer since xxxx)
http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/

At least the US embassy in London is now saying they will give you a replacement card, but you need to mail original documents. I think I'll see when I next want to go to London, so I don't have to trust Royal Mail.