How To Get A Social Security Number
There are two ways that you can get a social security number and card:
1. If you are age 18 or older, you can apply for a social security number in your home country when you apply for an immigrant visa with the U.S. Department of State. The U.S. government will use the same information that you give to apply for an immigrant visa to apply for an SSN.
Your social security card will arrive at your mailing address about three weeks after you arrive in the U.S. If you apply for the Social Security number outside of the U.S., you do not have to visit an American Social Security office after entry into the United States.
2. If you are not an immigrant or did not apply for a Social Security number when you applied for an immigrant visa, you must bring your petition and approval notices showing your legal immigration status and approved authorization to work in the United States. Then you should apply for a Social Security number and card by visiting a Social Security office in the U.S.
The Social Security Administration recommends that you wait ten days after arriving in the country to “make it easier for us to verify your Department of Homeland Security documents online, which will speed processing of your Social Security number application.” Applying for a Social Security number is free.
Using Your Personal Public Servicenumber
You can use your PPS number for:
- All social welfare services
A PPS number hasalready been issued to you if:
- You were born in Ireland in or after 1971
- You started work in Ireland after 1979
- You are getting a social welfare payment
- You are taking part in the Drugs Payment Scheme
PPS numbers are printed on the following documents:
- PAYE Notice of Tax Credits
- Temporary Payment Card
If you are unsure as to whether a particular organisation, person or agentis entitled to request or use your PPS number, you should contactClient Identity Services in the Department of Social Protection. You cancontact Client Identity Services – see ‘Where to apply’ below.
Corrected Card For A Noncitizen Child
If you legally change your child’s name because of adoption, court order or any other reason, you need to tell Social Security. If your child is working, also tell your child’s employer. If you do not tell us when your child’s name changes, it may:
- Delay your tax refund or your child’s refund and
- Prevent your child’s wages from being posted correctly to your child’s Social Security record, which may lower the amount of your child’s future Social Security benefits.
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 . We cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.
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Original Card For A Us Born Child
Important
Social Security must verify a birth record for all U.S.-born applicants who apply for an original SSN. An exception is made for a parent who applies for a baby’s SSN at the hospital when the baby is born. To verify a birth record, we will contact the office that issued it.
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.
Get a certified copy of a document showing a birth, marriage or divorce that took place in the United States.
Adoption
In some cases, we can assign your adopted child a number before the adoption is complete, but you may want to wait. Then, you can apply for the number using your child’s new name. If you want to claim your child for tax purposes while the adoption is still pending, contact the Internal Revenue Service for Form W-7A, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions. For more information, see Social Security Numbers For Children .
Inform Service Canada If You Suspect That A Social Insurance Number Is Being Used Fraudulently

- If you have any reason to suspect that a SIN is being used fraudulently, immediately contact Service Canada at 1-866-274-6627. Provide your business number issued by Canada Revenue Agency along with appropriate identification.
- In Canada, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act sets out rules about how private-sector organizations may collect, use or disclose personal information. For more information, visit the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
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How To Get A Social Security Card
Proof Of Us Citizenship
a. Original U.S. birth certificate, or b. Original U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or c. Original U.S. Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate, or d. Original U.S. Passport.
a. Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed, or b. Original Foreign Passport, must be current and signed.
NOTE: If the name at birth and name on the identity document are different, proof of name change must also be submitted.
4. Proof of the identity of the parent signing the application
If applicable a parent can sign the form for a child up to age 18 a child can sign the form above age 12.
a. Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed, orb. Original Foreign Passport, must be current and signed.
33 Nine Elms LaneLondon SW11 7US
We will copy and return original documents within 3-4 days. We do not recommend mailing important personal documents from outside the UK. If you choose to mail your application you should use a service that allows you to track your package. Within the UK, we recommend Special Delivery mail outside the UK we recommend you use a Courier. You should include a pre-paid return envelope or courier package. The Federal Benefits Unit will return documents by regular mail if you do not provide a pre-paid envelope or courier package. Processing time for SSN applications is approximately 8-10 weeks.
Suitable proof of identity documents are:
If you are not a U.S. citizen or legal Permanent Resident Alien, see item 5. below for instructions.
U.S. Embassy
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What If My Social Security Card Was Stolen
If you’re replacing your Social Security card because it’s been stolen, there are several precautions you should take immediately to reduce your risk of identity theft. Your Social Security number is a very important piece of personally identifiable information that can be used to open new credit accounts in your name, among other things, if it falls into the wrong hands.
Problems In Obtaining A Social Security Number
American Citizens Abroad, Inc. is following this issue, particularly with respect to US citizens abroad who are trying to come into conformity with new financial reporting legislation and regulation. If you have particular difficulties in obtaining a SSN, please submit your personal experiences via ACAs secure online portal. You can determine the degree of anonymity you wish to maintain and the extent to which ACA can share your story.
Disclaimer: American Citizens Abroad, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed under the laws of the State of Delaware. ACA does not provide legal, tax or accounting information. ACA makes no representations as to the accuracy, quality, utility, or any other aspect of the information contained herein. The reader is urged to obtain his or her own professional advice.
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Replacement Card For A Us Born Adult
You can replace your Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen. However, you may not need to get a replacement card. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits. For example, changes in immigration status that require card updates may not count toward these limits. Also, you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.
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 . We cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.
You may be able to request your replacement Social Security card online. Our online service is a fast and secure way to get a replacement. If you are age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address and have amySocial Security account, you can apply for a replacement card online. For more information about creating my Social Security account and getting a replacement card online, visit our Social Security Number and Card website.
Request For Deceased Individuals Social Security Record
If using the SSDI does not work for you, you can also go straight to the Social Security Administration. The steps on how to find social security number of deceased relative on their site is very simple. Simply make a request online with the Request for Deceased Individuals Social Security Record form. Or if you prefer, you can print and fill out the form by hand by using Form SSA-711. There will be a small fee for the request.
It is important to note that the SSA will not released any information about a person in there records unless:
*Number holder = the deceased
The SSA will not release any the parents information unless:
What Is An Acceptable Form Of Proof Of Death?
In order to receive a social security number from the SSA acceptable proof of death is needed. Below is what the SSA deems acceptable:
If you are looking on how to find social security number of a deceased relative, follow the steps above and you will be successful.
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How Do I Know If Im Eligible For An Ssn
All customers applying for an original DL/ID card must provide evidence of legal presence in the United States as authorized under federal law.
- If you were born in the United States or become a U.S. citizen, you are eligible for an SSN, and must provide it to DMV.
- If you are not a U.S. citizen, but in the United States legally and authorized to work, you are eligible for an SSN, and must provide it to DMV.
- If you are not a U.S. citizen, but in the United States legally and are not authorized to work, you are not eligible for an SSN.
If you are legally present in the U.S., but ineligible for an SSN, you are exempt from the DMV SSN requirement. You may start an application for a noncommercial driver license or ID card, and once your eligibility status is veri-fied, DMV will complete your application.
You must still provide an acceptable birth date/legal presence document for any future DL/ID card application or provide a valid SSN. You may not start an original CDL A, B, or C application until DMV visually verifies your SSN.
How Do I Get A Social Security Id

As soon as you find a job in Germany, your employer will enrol you in the social security system in order to deduct your contributions as part of payroll tax. Once you have been enrolled, you will automatically be issued with a social security ID, which will arrive in the post. If you have not received one within six weeks of starting your job, speak with your employer.
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Request An Irs Copy Of Your Tax Return
Your tax return is one of the things that have your social security number on it. As such, it is another possible source of formal identification. Anyone, of course, can take a blank 1040 form and fill in whatever name or number they choose. However, an official copy of your tax return is convincing documentation. You can obtain a copy of your previously filed return from the Internal Revenue Service . The copy, along with a driver’s license or other photo ID, provides documentation of your SSN.
Corrected Card For A Us Born Adult
If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or any other reason, you need to tell Social Security so that you can get a corrected card. If you are working, also tell your employer. If you do not tell us when your name changes, it may:
- Prevent your wages from being posted correctly to your Social Security record, which may lower the amount of your future Social Security benefits.
- Cause delays when you file your taxes.
Important
We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. We cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document. All documents must be current .
We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity.
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Information Required To Get A Social Security Card
- Application For A Social Security Card
- Two original documents proving your identity, immigration status, work eligibility, and age.
As far as documentation, for example, a work permit can be used as proof of both your identity and work-authorized immigration status. Some other acceptable documents to prove your work authorization can include your immigrant visa, an employment-based admission stamp, the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, and any work permits or Employment Authorization Documents .
Your birth certificate or passport may serve as proof of age. However, you need two separate documents to prove eligibility for a social security number.
Replacement Card For A Foreign Born U S Citizen Adult
You can replace your Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen. However, you may not need to get a replacement card. Knowing your Social Security number is what’s important. You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Legal name changes do not count toward these limits. Also, you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.
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 . We cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.
You may be able to request your replacement Social Security card online. Our online service is a fast and secure way to get a replacement. If you are age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address and have amySocial Security account, you can apply for a replacement card online. For more information about creating my Social Security account and getting a replacement card online, visit our Social Security Number and Card website.
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Additional Document Required For International Students And Foreign Exchange Visitors
International Students or Foreign Exchange visitors are able to work on a part-time basis and must bring additional documentation to prove their status. For J Visas, the DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status is required.
For international students, the most recent I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status is required.
Original documents are required to obtain a social security card. Photocopies and notarized copies will be rejected.
The information contained in this article is not legal advice and is not a substitute for such advice. State and federal laws change frequently, and the information in this article may not reflect your own states laws or the most recent changes to the law.
Proof Of Social Security Number
Couples wanting to obtain a marriage license should access the Register of Deeds Online Marriage License application and instructions
- Applicants without a Social Security Number – Learn more here
Identification Accepted for Proof of Social Security Number
Applicants’ full Social Security Number must be displayed on documents or identification.
- Social Security Card
- Income Tax Return/W-2 Form
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