So.. Here's a quick question I'm sure you guys will have a quick answer for!

I was issued a SSN # when I had a totally unrelated Visa issued in the 90's. I unfortunately shredded that card thinking I'd never need the document again (Murphy's Law at work). I did manage to get the # again from the SSN office. I assume that #1, they will re-use the same number even if it was issued under my former married name (i've since been divorced), and #2, that I can use that card in my dealings with AOS and EAD with or without the card being in my possession. What are your thoughts?

I think once you have a SSN number, it will always be your number. No matter what the circumstances. I don't think they would ever re-use that number again and give it to another person, it would confuse things.

I could be wrong, but I think only one SSN is assigned per person. In other words, they never reassign SSN's. Every SSN is unique to that individual.

If I'm wrong, someone please correct me. I don't think I am though -- as Stacy said, it'd confuse things and make government processing (as well as anywhere your SSN is needed, which is a lot of areas today in the U.S.) difficult, to say the least. They'd have deceased individuals coming up on file at times when they'd be researching someone who's living and was recently assigned the recycled SSN.

I'm the same person (I think ) just different last names - was married once, now i'll remarry and have a new name