How to Reach the Georgetown Social Security Office and What to Bring

Where the Georgetown Social Security Office is located and how to contact it

The Georgetown Social Security Office serves people in and around Georgetown who need to handle Social Security matters in person. The office is located at 1500 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814. This is the office that covers Georgetown and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County, Maryland.

You can reach the office by phone at 1-866-SSA-1213 (1-866-772-1213). This is the national Social Security line, but when you call, you can ask to be routed to the Georgetown/Bethesda office. Wait times on the phone are often long, especially early in the week and early in the morning. Many people have better luck calling after 2 p.m. or later in the week.

You can also visit in person during business hours. The office is typically open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but hours can change. Call ahead to confirm hours before you go, or check the Social Security Administration website for current information.

Key Takeaways

• The Georgetown-area Social Security Office is in Bethesda at 1500 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 200, and you can reach it by phone at 1-866-772-1213.
• Bring a photo ID, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and your Social Security card if you have it when you visit in person.
• You can handle many Social Security tasks online through your personal my Social Security account instead of visiting the office.
• If you need an in-person appointment, call ahead — walk-ins are accepted but wait times can be long, especially in the morning.
• The office handles new Social Security number requests, replacement cards, benefit applications, and changes to existing accounts.

What documents to bring when you visit

If you go to the office in person, bring a photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You will also need proof of citizenship or legal residency. A birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers all work. If you are applying for a replacement Social Security card, bring the original card if you still have it.

If you are there to report a change — a name change, address change, or change in work status — bring documents that prove the change. For a name change, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. For an address change, bring a recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement with your name and new address on it.

Write down your Social Security number before you go, or bring a document that has it on it. If you do not know your number, bring documents that prove your identity and the office can look it up.

Tasks you can handle online instead of visiting the office

Many Social Security tasks do not require a trip to the office. If you have a my Social Security account, you can change your address, request a replacement card, check your earnings record, and see an estimate of your future benefits — all from home. You can create a my Social Security account on the Social Security Administration website using your email address and a password.

You can also request a replacement Social Security card by mail. Fill out Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card), gather the documents listed above, and mail them to the office. Processing by mail usually takes two to four weeks. The office address for mail is listed on the form itself.

If you are applying for retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, you can start the process online or by phone. You do not have to visit the office unless the Social Security Administration asks you to come in for an interview or to provide documents in person.

When you need an appointment versus walk-in service

The Georgetown office accepts both walk-ins and scheduled appointments. If you call ahead and request an appointment, you will usually be seen faster than if you walk in. Appointments are typically scheduled within one to two weeks of when you call.

Walk-ins are accepted, but you may wait one to three hours depending on how busy the office is. Mornings are busier than afternoons. If you do walk in, arrive early — the office stops taking new walk-ins at 3:30 p.m. even though it stays open until 4 p.m.

If you need an appointment, call 1-866-772-1213 and tell the representative you want to schedule one at the Georgetown/Bethesda office. Have your Social Security number ready and know what you need to do — for example, "I need to apply for retirement benefits" or "I need a replacement card."

What the office handles and what it does not

The Georgetown office issues new and replacement Social Security cards, takes applications for retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, and handles changes to your account like address updates or name changes. They can also help if you have lost your Social Security card or if it was stolen.

The office does not handle Medicare enrollment, though Social Security staff can point you toward Medicare resources. They also do not handle Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applications — those go through a different process, though the office can give you information about where to start.

If you have a question about your benefits amount, your payment schedule, or taxes on your benefits, the office can help. If you need to report that you have returned to work or that your income has changed, you can do that at the office or by phone.

Accessibility and language services

The Georgetown office is accessible to people with mobility disabilities. If you need an interpreter, call ahead when you schedule your appointment or when you arrive for your walk-in visit. The office can arrange interpreters for many languages, though it may take a few extra days if the language is less common in the area.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can use a video relay service or TTY phone number to reach the office. Call 1-866-SSA-1213 and ask for the TTY number, or use your own relay service to call the office directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a replacement Social Security card?

In person or by mail, a replacement card usually arrives within one to two weeks. If you request it in person at the office, you may be able to get a receipt that shows your number while you wait for the physical card. By mail, processing takes two to four weeks depending on how busy the office is.

Can I apply for benefits by phone instead of going to the office?

Yes. You can start a benefits application by calling 1-866-772-1213 or by creating a my Social Security account online and starting the application there. The Social Security Administration will contact you if they need documents or an in-person interview, but many people complete the entire process without visiting the office.

What if I do not have a photo ID?

Bring other documents that prove your identity — a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers. You can also bring documents from a government agency, employer, school, or bank that have your name and photo on them. Call the office ahead of time to ask what documents they will accept in your specific situation.

Do I need an appointment or can I just walk in?

Both are allowed. Walk-ins are accepted, but you may wait longer — sometimes one to three hours. If you call 1-866-772-1213 to schedule an appointment, you will usually be seen faster. Appointments are typically available within one to two weeks.

What if I need to report a change to my benefits but do not want to visit the office?

You can report many changes by phone at 1-866-772-1213, through your my Social Security account online, or by mail. Changes like a new address, return to work, or change in living situation can usually be handled without visiting the office in person.