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12 guides

Government services & ID

Social Security, REAL ID, passports, state IDs, birth certificates and the identity documents everything else depends on.

How to get a copy of your birth certificateVital records are held by the state where the event happened, not by any federal agency. Who is allowed to request a copy, why cer…11 minverified 2026-08-04
How to get a REAL IDREAL ID enforcement is live at every US airport, and a standard licence no longer gets you through security. What the star means, …9 minverified 2026-08-04
How to get a Social Security numberAn SSN is free, permanent and issued only by the Social Security Administration. This covers who is eligible, how to apply as a ne…8 minverified 2026-07-31
How to get a US passportA first passport must be applied for in person and cannot be done online, while a renewal often can. Which category you fall into,…10 minverified 2026-08-04
How to get married in the USAMarriage in the US is a county transaction governed by state law, and the wedding is not the legal act — returning the signed lice…12 minverified 2026-08-04
How to register to voteVoting in America is run by states, not the federal government, so the rules change the moment you cross a state line. Who is elig…11 minverified 2026-08-04
When ID.me cannot verify your identityID.me sits in front of the IRS, the VA, Social Security and dozens of state systems. When the selfie check fails there are three m…14 minverified 2026-08-06
How to recover your Login.gov accountLogin.gov is the front door to Social Security, the IRS, Medicare, USAJOBS and Global Entry. Here is what to do when the phone is …14 minverified 2026-08-06
Lost or stolen passport abroadReport it, then get to the nearest US embassy or consulate in person. Most posts are appointment-only, closed on two countries' ho…14 minverified 2026-08-06
How to replace a lost Social Security cardA replacement Social Security card costs nothing and often needs no office visit. This covers who can finish online, the documents…14 minverified 2026-08-06
What to do if Social Security says you were overpaidAn overpayment notice starts two clocks — about 30 days before money starts coming out of your check, and 60 days to appeal. Here …16 minverified 2026-08-06
What to do when someone diesA death produces an administrative workload that arrives immediately and lasts months. This is the order to do things in, who must…13 minverified 2026-08-04
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