(over)

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 don’t 

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 person’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 don’t need a number to 

get a driver’s license, register for school, get 

private health insurance, 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 can’t assign you a Social Security number 

solely for you to be able to 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 aren’t 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 don’t 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 didn’t 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 to 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);

• Collect at least two original documents 

proving your identity, work-authorized 

immigration status, and 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);

• Admission stamp showing a class of 

admission permitting work;

• Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record); or

• Form I-766 (Employment Authorization 

Document, EAD, work permit).

Exchange visitors: If you’re 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’re 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 that 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 aren’t 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 get benefits to 

which you have already established entitlement.

If you need a number for tax purposes, 

and you aren’t authorized to work in the 

United States, you can apply for an Individual 

Taxpayer Identification Number from the 

Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Visit the 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’ll be able to 

get the service or license you need without a 

Social Security number.

Contacting Social Security

Visit www.socialsecurity.gov anytime to 

apply for benefits, open a my Social Security

account, find publications, and get answers 

to frequently asked questions. Or, call us 

toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (for the deaf 

or hard of hearing, call our TTY number, 

1-800-325-0778). We can answer case-specific 

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

through Friday. Generally, you’ll have a shorter 

wait time if you call after Tuesday. We treat all 

calls confidentially. We also want to make sure 

you receive accurate and courteous service, so a 

second Social Security representative monitors 

some telephone calls. We can provide general 

information by automated phone service 24 

hours a day. And, remember, our website, 

www.socialsecurity.gov, is available to you 

anytime and anywhere!

Social Security Administration

SSA Publication No. 05-10096

ICN 468630

Unit of Issue - HD (one hundred)

Printed on recycled paper June 2015 (Recycle prior editions)