To work in the United States, you will need a Social Security card that has your Social Security number. Not only will a Social Security card be required by an employer, Social Security numbers are often required for banking, loans, educational and other matters.
You can get an original Social Security card or a replacement card if yours is lost or stolen by following the steps below. You cannot apply for a card online, but must do so in person at the local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. There is no charge for a Social Security card. This service is free.
Social Security Cards for Noncitizens
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.
The SSA will need to see different documents to establish your U.S. immigration status and the type of card you are requesting. You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. The SS cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. All documents must be current (not expired).
Immigration status
To prove your U.S. immigration status, you must show the SSA your current U.S. immigration document, such as:
- Form I-551 (Lawful Permanent Resident Card, Green Card, or 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 your I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status). If you are a J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor, you must show the SSA 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, you will need to show 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.
The SSA also will need to see evidence of that employment, such as a recent pay slip or a letter from your employer. Your supervisor must sign and date the letter. The letter must describe:
- Your job;
- Your employment start date;
- The number of hours you are, or will be, working; and
- Your supervisor’s name and telephone number.
If you are an F-1 student authorized to work in curricular practical training (CPT), you must provide us your Form I-20 with the employment page completed and signed by your designated school official.
If you are an F-1 student and have a work permit (I-766) from DHS, you must present it.
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.
If you do not have permission to work: Lawfully admitted noncitizens can get many benefits and services without a Social Security number. You do not need a number to conduct business with a bank, register for school, apply for educational tests, obtain private health insurance, apply for school lunch programs or apply for subsidized housing. You cannot get a Social Security number for the sole purpose of obtaining a driver’s license.
Government benefits or services: If you do not have permission to work, you may apply for a Social Security number only if:
- A federal law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get a particular benefit or service; or
- A state or local law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get general assistance benefits for which you already have qualified.
If you need a number to meet these state or local requirements, you must provide the SSA with a letter from the government agency. It must be on letterhead stationery (no form letters or photocopies) and:
- Specifically identify you as the applicant;
- Cite the law requiring you to have a Social Security number;
- Indicate that you meet all the agency’s requirements, except having the number; and
- Contain an agency contact name and telephone number
Taxes: 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) to request the form or find it here, Form W-7 (Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number).
If you are assigned a number for non-work purposes, you cannot use it to work.
Age: You must present your foreign birth certificate if you have it or can get it within 10 days. If not, the SSA will consider other documents such as your passport or a document issued by DHS as evidence of your age.
Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number MUST be interviewed by Social Security. The SSA will ask for evidence to show you do not have a Social Security number, such as:
- If you lived outside the United States for an extended period, a current or previous passport, school and/or employment records, and any other record that would show long-term residence outside the United States could be used to show you do not have a Social Security number.
Identity: Social Security will ask to see a current DHS document. Acceptable documents include:
- I-551 Permanent Resident Card;
- I-94 Arrival/Departure Record with unexpired foreign passport or admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport; or
- I-766 Employment Authorization Document, (EAD, work permit) from DHS.
If you are an employer or a foreign national and have questions about the U.S. Social Security card, please ask us. Our office can be reached at 919.755.0505 or schedule an appointment here.
Social Security Cards For U.S. Citizens
The SSA will need to see different documents to establish your citizenship and the type of card you are requesting. You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. The SSA cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. All documents must be current (not expired).
If you are a foreign born U.S. citizen, you will need to show one of the applicable following documents:
- U.S. passport
- Certificate of Naturalization (N-550/N-570)
- Certificate of Citizenship (N-560/N-561)
- Certificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350)
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240, CRBA)
You must present evidence of your age, such as your foreign birth certificate when you are applying for a Social Security card, if you have it or can get it within 10 days. If not, the SSA will consider other documents such as your passport or a document issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as evidence of your age.
Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number must appear in person for an interview. The SSA will ask for evidence to show you do not have a Social Security number. Here are examples of documents you can use to prove a Social Security number was never assigned:
- If you lived outside the United States for an extended period, a current or previous passport, school and/or employment records, and any other record that would show long-term residence outside the United States could be used to show you do not have a Social Security number.
- If you have lived in the United States and you are applying for an original Social Security number, we may ask you for information about the schools you attended or we may ask you to provide copies of tax records that would show you were never assigned a Social Security number.
You must present evidence of your identity. The SSA will accept only certain documents as proof of identity. The document must be current and not expired and show your name, date of birth or age and you must provide a recent photograph. Acceptable examples of proof of identity include:
- U.S. driver’s license;
- State-issued non-driver identification card; or
- U.S. passport.
If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, the SSA will ask to see other documents, including:
- Employee identification card;
- School identification card;
- Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); or
- U.S. military identification card.
If you are an employer or a foreign national and have questions about the U.S. Social Security card, please ask us. Our office can be reached at 919.755.0505 or schedule an appointment here.
