(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 a 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, or 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?

If you are an immigrant, 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. 

See section below for what you need to bring 

with you to the Social Security office.

If you are not an immigrant, you must visit a 

Social Security office to apply.

What do I need to bring to the Social 

Security office?

You need to prove your 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 (Permanent Resident Card, 

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).
You need to prove 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.

You need to complete an application.

You will need to complete an Application for 

a Social Security Card (Form SS-5). You can do 

this at the Social Security office or you can find 

a copy of this form on our website that you can 

print and bring with you.

Important: 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.

When should I apply?

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.

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.

How much does applying for a Social 

Security number and card cost?

Applying for a Social Security number and 

card is free.

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 or forms, 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)

June 2016 (Recycle prior editions) Printed on recycled paper

Produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense