The U.S. Embassy in Panama has announced a three-day outreach event for American citizens. Representatives from the Regional Federal Benefits Office will visit Panama City to assist with U.S. Social Security benefits. The event runs from June 23 to June 25, 2026.
Services will be available at the U.S. Embassy Consular Section. Officials will handle applications, card requests, and compliance forms. No appointment is needed, but embassy staff warned that services operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Wait times could be significant.
Hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and again from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. The embassy urges visitors to bring original documents plus legible copies. This includes birth certificates, passports, and marriage certificates where applicable.
Application Requirements for Social Security Benefits
Applicants seeking U.S. Social Security benefits must bring specific paperwork. Each applicant needs an original birth certificate and a valid passport. One clear copy of each document is also required.
Those applying for auxiliary benefits or survivor’s benefits face additional requirements. Officials said these applicants must also provide a marriage certificate. A spouse’s death certificate may be needed as well.
We want to ensure all eligible Americans receive the support they need, an embassy spokesperson said. This outreach helps us reach citizens who cannot easily travel to the United States for these services.
Children under age 12 require different documentation for Social Security Number card applications. Parents must bring a valid U.S. passport and a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for the child. A completed form SS-5FS signed by the applicant or guardian is mandatory.
Alternatively, families can submit the original foreign birth certificate. This document must have been registered before the child turned five years old. The embassy stressed that copies alone will not be accepted.
Additional Rules for Older Applicants and Suspended Benefits
Applicants over age 12 face stricter rules. An in-person interview is mandatory for this group. Officials need to verify identity and residency history directly.
Teens and adults must bring a valid U.S. passport. They also need an original birth certificate registered before age five or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. A signed form SS-5FS completes the basic packet.
Proof of all years spent living abroad is also required. The embassy listed acceptable documents. These include school enrollment letters, vaccination records, medical records, and identification cards. Valid or expired passports work. Employment letters, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and children’s birth certificates are also acceptable.
The embassy specifically addressed beneficiaries with suspended payments. Anyone whose benefits are currently on hold due to a Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire should attend. Officials will process these forms during the outreach event.
Social Security Benefits are a lifeline for many American retirees living in Panama. The embassy encouraged all eligible citizens to take advantage of this opportunity. Missing the event could mean waiting for the next scheduled visit or traveling abroad for services.
Panama hosts a large community of U.S. expatriates. Many rely on these periodic visits to maintain their benefits. Embassy staff said they expect high turnout across all three days.