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Social Security Numbers For Noncitizens

Social Security Numbers For Noncitizens

Does a noncitizen need a 

Social Security number?

Unless you are a noncitizen who wants to 

work in the United States, you probably do not 

need a Social Security number.

Generally, only noncitizens authorized to 

work in the United States by the Department 

of Homeland Security (DHS) can get a Social 

Security number. Social Security numbers 

are used to report an individual’s wages to 

the government and to determine a person’s 

eligibility for Social Security benefits. You 

need a Social Security number to work, collect 

Social Security benefits and receive some other 

government services. 

Lawfully admitted noncitizens can get many 

benefits and services without a Social Security 

number. You do not need a number to get 

a driver’s license, register for school, obtain 

private health insurance, or to apply for school 

lunch programs or subsidized housing. 

Some organizations use Social Security 

numbers to identify you in their records. Most, 

however, will identify you by some other 

means if you request it. 

We cannot assign you a Social Security 

number solely so you can get a driver’s license 

or a service that requires a credit check.

Although many companies, such as banks 

and credit companies, may ask for your 

Social Security number, you generally are not 

required to provide one if you don’t have one.

How can I get a Social Security 

number and card?

There are two ways you can apply:

•	 You can apply in your home country 

before you come to the United States when 

filing an application for an immigrant 

visa with the U.S. Department of State. In 

almost all cases, if you apply for a Social 

Security number and card with your 

immigrant visa application, you do not 

have to visit a Social Security office in the 

United States. (For more information, see 

www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnvisa); or

•	 You can visit a Social Security office 

in person.

If you are not an immigrant or did not 

apply for a Social Security number on your 

immigrant visa application, you must have 

your papers from DHS showing your U.S. 

immigration status and authorization to work 

in the United States. Then you should apply for 

a Social Security number and card by visiting 

an office. We recommend you wait 10 days 

after arriving in the United States to apply for 

a Social Security number. This will make it 

easier for us to verify your DHS documents 

online, which will speed processing of your 

Social Security number application. Applying 

for a Social Security number and card is free. 

To apply:

•	 Complete an Application For A Social

Security Card (Form SS-5); 

•	 Show us at least two original documents 

proving your:

—Identity;

—Work-authorized immigration status;

—Age; and

•	 Take your completed application and 

original documents to your local 

Social Security office.

All documents must be either originals 

or copies certified by the issuing agency. We 

cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies 

of documents. We also cannot accept a receipt 

showing you applied for the document.

We may use one document for two purposes. 

For example, we may use your DHS work 

permit as proof of both your identity and workauthorized immigration status. Your birth 

certificate or passport may serve as proof of age. 

However, you must provide at least two 

separate documents.

We will mail your number and card as 

soon as we have all of your information 

and have verified your documents with the 

issuing offices.
Identity and work-authorized 

immigration status

To prove your identity and work-authorized 

immigration status, show us your current 

U.S. immigration documents and your 

unexpired foreign passport. Acceptable 

immigration documents include your:

•	 Form I-551 (includes machine-readable 

immigrant visa);

•	 Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) 

showing DHS work authorization; or 

•	 Form I-766 (Employment Authorization 

Card).

Exchange visitors: If you are a J-1 or J-2 

exchange visitor, we also need to see your 

DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange 

Visitor Status. If you are a J-1 student, student 

intern, or international visitor, you must 

provide a letter from your sponsor. The 

letter should be on sponsor letterhead with 

an original signature that authorizes your 

employment.

International students: If you are an F-1 or 

M-1 student, we need to see your Form I-20, 

Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant 

Student Status. For information on other 

documents students must provide, ask for 

International Students And Social Security

Numbers (Publication No. 05-10181). 

Age 

You must present your foreign birth 

certificate if you have it or can get it within 

10 business days. If not, we can consider 

other documents, such as your passport or 

a document issued by DHS, as evidence of 

your age.

What if I need a number 

for other reasons?

If you are not authorized by DHS to work 

in the United States, you can get a Social 

Security number only if you can prove you 

need it for a valid non-work reason. That might 

happen, for example, if a state or federal law 

requires you to have a Social Security number 

to obtain benefits to which you have already 

established entitlement.

If you need a number for tax purposes 

and you are not authorized to work in the 

United States, you can apply for an Individual 

Taxpayer Identification Number from the 

Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Visit IRS 

in person or call the IRS toll-free number, 

1-800-TAXFORM (1-800-829-3676), and request 

Form W-7, Application For An Individual

Taxpayer Identification Number.

If a business or government agency asks 

you for a Social Security number and you are 

not authorized to work in the United States, 

ask if they can identify you in some other 

way. In most cases, you will be able to get 

the service or license you need without a 

Social Security number.

Contacting Social Security

For more information and to find copies 

of our publications, visit our website at 

www.socialsecurity.gov or call toll-free, 

1-800-772-1213 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, 

call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778). We 

treat all calls confidentially. We can answer 

specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 

Monday through Friday. We can provide 

information by automated phone service 

24 hours a day.

We also want to make sure you receive 

accurate and courteous service. That is why 

we have a second Social Security representative 

monitor some telephone calls.

Social Security Administration

SSA Publication No. 05-10096

ICN 468630

Unit of Issue - HD (one hundred)

September 2011 (Recycle prior editions) Printed on recycled paper