Questions on SSN application with lost H1b copy

Question

I have a situation where my H1b is approved in May 2013, but my lawyer has lost my original h1b documents.

Questions are as below -

1. Is it ok to apply for SSN before Oct 1st 2013?

2. Can I use my employer h1b copy to apply for SSN?

3. How long will the duplicate ssn take since my lawyer has applied one and can this process be expedited?

Answer 1

Here are your answers -

1. You may not be able to do this

2. You can apply with your employer copy. So yes, you can apply using this. Attorney copy is not the original copy, its only a curtasey copy

3. What do you mean? Is it duplicate ssn or duplicate h1b copy you are talking about? If your company looses their copy they can file for a duplicate which is pretty expensive.