What are the requirements to get a social security card?

Answer 1

Evidence of Age In general, you must provide your birth certificate. In some situations, Social Security Administration may accept another document that shows your age. Some of the other documents Social Security Administration may accept are:

• U.S. hospital record of your birth (created at the time of birth)
• Religious record established before age five showing your age or date of birth
• Passport
• Final Adoption Decree (the adoption decree must show that the birth information was taken from the original birth certificate)

Evidence of Identity You must provide current, unexpired evidence of identity in your legal name. Your legal name will be shown on the Social Security card. Generally, Social Security Administration prefer to see documents issued in the U.S. Documents you submit to establish identity must show your legal name AND provide biographical information (your date of birth, age, or parents' names) and/or physical information (photograph, or physical description - height, eye and hair color, etc.). If you send a photo identity document but do not appear in person, the document must show your biographical information (e.g., your date of birth, age, or parents' names). Generally, documents without an expiration date should have been issued within the past two years for adults and within the past four years for children.

As proof of your identity, you must provide a:

• U.S. driver's license; or
• U.S. State-issued non-driver identity card; or
• U.S. passport

If you do not have one of the documents above or cannot get a replacement within 10 work days, Social Security Administration may accept other documents that show your legal name and biographical information, such as a U.S. military identity card, Certificate of Naturalization, employee identity card, certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor or hospital), health insurance card, Medicaid card, or school identity card/record. For young children, Social Security Administration may accept medical records (clinic, doctor, or hospital) maintained by the medical provider. Social Security Administration may also accept a final adoption decree, or a school identity card, or other school record maintained by the school.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, Social Security Administration must see your current U.S. Immigration document(s) and your foreign passport with biographical information or photograph.

Evidence of U.S. Citizenship In general, you must provide your U.S. birth certificate or U.S. Passport. Other documents you may provide are a Consular Report of Birth, Certificate of Citizenship, or Certificate of Naturalization.

Evidence of Immigration Status You must provide a current unexpired document issued to you by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) showing your immigration status, such as Form I-551, I-94, or I-766. If you are an international student or exchange visitor, you may need to provide additional documents, such as Form I-20, DS-2019, or a letter authorizing employment from your school and employer (F-1) or sponsor (J-1). Social Security Administration CANNOT accept a receipt showing you applied for the document. If you are not authorized to work in the U.S., Social Security Administration can issue you a Social Security card only if you need the number for a valid non-work reason. Your card will be marked to show you cannot work and if you do work, Social Security Administration will notify DHS. See page 3, item 5 for more information.

Note: If you are completing this application on behalf of someone else, you must provide evidence that shows your authority to sign the application as well as documents to prove your identity and the identity of the person for whom you are filing the application. We can only accept original documents or documents certified by the custodian of the original record. Notarized copies or photocopies which have not been certified by the custodian of the record are not acceptable.

Answer 2

If you have never had a social security card before andyou are age 12 or older and born in the U.S.

1. Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and
2. Show the Social Security Office documents proving:
   • U.S. citizenship;
   • Age; and
   • Identity.
3. Take your completed application and original documents to your local social security office; see related links for your local Social Security Office

Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number card must appear for an interview at a Social Security office.

Note that a resident alien with a valid work visa may also receive a social security number for tax purposes. In the case of a resident alien, in place of proof of U.S. citizenship, they must provide proof of their valid work visa. Some examples include:

• F-1 students generally have work authorization. If an F-1 provides the appropriate documentation, he/she may be assigned a work-authorization Social Security number after properly completing a Form SS-5, Application for Social Security Card. When applying for a Social Security number the F-1 visaholder must present their Passport/Visa, I-94 Card, I-20-ID form
• J-1's are admitted to take part in an Exchange Visitor program designated by the U.S. Information Agency (USIA). J-1's usually study, teach, receive training, or obtain general employment while being sponsored by an USIA approved program. Some J-1's are automatically authorized to work. Others require the permission of their sponsors. When applying for a Social Security number, the J-1 visaholder must present their Passport/Visa, I-94 Card, and IAP-66 then properly complete a Form SS-5, Application for Social Security Card.

Answer 3

You will need to prove your identity and your citizenship.

"Identity" can be proven by government-issued identification such as a driver's license or passport.

"Citizenship" requires a US birth certificate, a US consular report of birth, a Certificate of Naturalization, a Certificate of Citizenship, or, again, a US passport.

If you're not a citizen, it's more complicated. See the related links for more details.

Answer 4

You should have an official birth certificate if you are a US citizen. Other documents may be required if you are not.