Why laminate it if it’s prohibited?
SSA strongly warns against laminating Social Security cards because lamination may obscure many features that need to be detected in order to affirm authenticity of the card and protect against fraud. The moment a person somehow does manage to laminate the Social Security card, he or she begins to defeat the very provisions that the Security measures have set in place to safeguard their identity.
Certain security features of your Social Security card or laminate
Since October 1983, modern Social Security cards represent sophisticated anti-counterfeiting technologies that far exceed anything that may be seen. The current Social Security card, therefore, incorporates layers of security features aimed at preventing fraud and counterfeiting.
- Blue marbleized paper base: The paper from which the stock is laid down constitutes specially designed banknote paper that possesses a blue marbleized random pattern. This peculiar-looking background is a great security measure – if one were to attempt erasure or removal of data, it would become highly visible due to the blue color with erasing tendencies. The words “Social Security” are printed in white block print against the marbleized background.
- Embedded planchettes: One of the most distinctive security features consists of small colored discs called planchettes. The paper stock contains these yellow, pink, and blue discs in a random arrangement. These discs are, however, visible to the naked eye. The planchettes could appear anywhere on the card, including areas containing the official seal or identifying information.
- Intaglio printing technology: Intaglio printing is the same advanced printing used for U.S. currency, and our Social Security cards use this technique. This specialized printing gives rise to a unique “raised feel” that may be discerned by touch. The intaglio printing is not frequently available and is extremely difficult to copy, rendering it an efficient method of countermeasures.
Particularly impressive is the intaglio microtext on the signature line: what appears to be a simple line actually says “SOCIAL SECURITY” in letters when enlarged.
Some additional hidden security elements
The Social Security cards contain several covert security features not revealed by the SSA in public. These may include:
- Color-shifting inks that look different depending on the lighting
- Latent images that are visible only when the card is viewed from certain angles
- Anti-copy patterns appear when the card is photocopied
- Red fluorescent alphanumeric numbers appear on the back of cards issued after February 1996
What are the problems with lamination?
Laminating a Social Security card may create complications that will disable the proper functioning of these security features:
- Obscured security elements: Lamination may cover the card security features, obstructing verification for authorized personnel. The heat and pressure applied during lamination might fade, warp, or bubble the special inks or printing, rendering security features unreadable.
- Detection problems: As much as the SSA wishes for authenticity, the lamination appends the extra burden of proving validity. When the card is then needed for official purposes, i.e. work verification or government services, it might create hurdles for the authorities in ascertaining legitimacy.
- Material compatibility issues: Certain lamination materials do not sit well with the peculiar inks used on the Social Security cards. This interaction may lead to unwanted smearing, blurring, or fading of the ink, causing your card to become illegible or, worse, needing to be replaced too soon.
Safe alternatives for protection
Instead of laminating your Social Security card, there are a few other safe methods that the SSA recommends to protect your card:
- Removable protective coverings: According to the SSA, the card should be covered with plastic or some other removable material that does not cause damage to the card. A plastic sleeve either for baseball cards or important documents suits well, since that gives protection but still allows card removal without damage.
- Alternative storage options: Most significant of all is proper storage. Your Social Security card should be kept at home in a safe and secure location, rather than being carried around in your wallet every day. Keep it next to other important documents like your birth certificate in a locked drawer or even in a home safe.
- When you definitely need your card: It’s rare to actually have to present your physical Social Security card. Most of the time, you need only provide your Social Security number – which you should have memorized. The physical card is mostly needed for initial employment verification (the Form I-9) and certain government applications.
What if you’ve already laminated your card?
If you have laminated your Social Security card, do not panic. The SSA does not usually encourage anyone to request a replacement card because of serious lamination. However, if your laminated card is turned down during a verification process, or if you need to apply for a replacement card for whatever reason, the SSA will require you to submit the laminated card to process a new application.
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