Original Card for a Noncitizen Adult 
In general , only noncitizens who have permission to work from the Department of Homeland Security DHS can apply for a Social Security number. If you do not have permission to work but need a Social Security number for other purposes , see " If you do not have permission to work " for further information. Important You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. All documents must be current not expired. We cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document. 

What original documents do I need? 
Immigration Status To prove your U.S. immigration status , you must show us your current U.S. immigration document, such as : Form I-551 Lawful Permanent Resident Card, Machine Readable Immigrant Visa with your unexpired foreign passport ; I-766 Employment Authorization Document, EAD, work permit ; or I-94 Arrival / Departure Record or admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport. If you are an F-1 or M-1 student , you also must show us your I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. If you are a J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor , you must show us your DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. Work Eligibility In general , only noncitizens who have permission to work from DHS can apply for a Social Security number. If you are a foreign worker , we only need to see your I-94 Arrival / Departure Record or admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport showing a class of admission permitting work. Some foreign workers must show their I-766 Employment Authorization Document, EAD, work permit from DHS. Student : If you are an F-1 student and eligible to work on campus , you must provide a letter from your designated school official that : Identifies you ; Confirms your current school status ; and Identifies your employer and the type of work you are, or will be, doing. We also need to see evidenc

user: It's my first time trying to get a social security card. I'm a noncitizen adult.

assistant: You need to prove your immigration status.

assistant: Do you want to know how to do it?

user: Yes please, tell me.

assistant: You have to provide us with your current U.S. immigration document. The forms I-551 Lawful Permanent Resident Card, Machine Readable Immigrant Visa with your unexpired foreign passport and  I-766 Employment Authorization Document, EAD , work permit are good to show.

user: And to prove my age if I can't find my birth certificate?

assistant: We could ask you for another suitable document, like your passport or a document issued by DHS as evidence of your age.

user: And how can I prove that I lived outside the US?

assistant: You can use your current or previous passport or show us your school records or work records from the country you used to live.

user: what if I don't have permission to work but need the social security number to apply for government benefits?

assistant: You can actually apply for a social security number if you are required to provide your social security number by a state or local law to get general assistance benefits.

user: What would happen if I use a non-work social security number for work?

assistant: You shouldn't do it but if you do it we would inform the DHS.

user: Is there another document that I can use to prove my immigration status?

assistant: Yes, you can also use the Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record or admission stamp in your unexpired foreign passport.