Last month I sent the FAA a request for a new pilot certificate that did not include my SSN. Yesterday I received my replacement certificate. The new credit card format is a significant, long-overdue improvement. My last certificate, issued in 1998, looked like it was printed on a grocery store bag with a dot-matrix printer. It used to be that you had to laminate those paper certificates or they wouldn't last more than a year or two.

I called Airmen Certification about getting a new one myself. They couldn't tell me which form to use to get it the fastest...lol.Did you use the lost/replace form, or which one. One month seems fast.

I used the form for removing SSN from pilot certificate (http://registry.faa.gov/docs/SSN_Change.pdf), since my current certificate still used my SSN for the certificate number. That's probably the one to use unless your current certificate was issued in the last couple years without the SSN. In that case, you'd probably have to use the lost/stolen/paper certificate replacement form.

Thanks for the info. I'll go that route.

Jeff, I looked at the form in the link and there was no place to specify which airman certificate/s they would change and how much it would cost us. About a year and half ago when the newer credit card types first came out, I converted the old paper ones to plastic for I believe $2 each. Will the FAA charge for the new number/s if you hold more than one certificate?Terry

Yeah, there's no place for any type of payment. I guess I'll find out if they call me or send me another form.

HAHA...I just did it online with the FAA and there's no charge for the SSN# removal...LOLA new one is on the way.here's the link: http://faa.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/faa.cfg/ph...a=38&p_faqid=38If that doesn't work just goto the FAA home page and goto licenses and certifiactes and click on the "how do I change*****" in the middle.*You'll have to create an account first. It's easy though. :-)

Jeff, Thanks for the info and I am still not sure if we have to pay the $2 as per the replace cert link. The FAA is not the only federal government agency to do this. The VA is issuing new SSAN numberless cards. Maybe some day, we will be able to get a "social security card" that does not have the number visible? You know the card that says on it that "This card is "NOT" for identification purposes".Terry

As far as I can tell there's no charge for requesting a non-SSN certificate. I didn't send anything in except the form, and haven't received any bills from the FAA.

I've just receieved my new-style certificate with the instrument rating endorsement. It certainly is nice, an improvement over the cardboard ones. The wait was about 8 weeks, typical I'm told for receiving a new or updated certificate (your SSN deletion is most likely a different track). Bruce.