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Social Security Administration
A Social Security number is important because you need it to get a job, collect Social Security benefits and receive some other government benefits. Many other companies you do business with, such as banks and credit companies, also ask for your number.
If you are a noncitizen residing in the United States, you also may need a Social Security number. Ask for the publication, Social Security Numbers For Noncitizens (Publication No. 05-10096).
To get an original number and card, you'll need to complete an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5), and show documents that prove your age, identity, U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status.
To get an application:
To get a Social Security card, you must provide original documents that show your age, identity and citizenship or lawful noncitizen status. We verify birth documents for U.S. citizens age 1 and older with the office that issued the documents. We verify Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documents for all noncitizens with DHS. You will get your number and card as soon as we have all of your information and your documents are verified.
There is no charge for a Social Security number and card. If someone contacts you and wants to charge you for getting a number or card, or for any Social Security service, please remember that Social Security services are free. You can report anyone attempting to charge you by calling our Office of the Inspector General hotline at 1-800-269-0271.
We issue three types of Social Security cards. All cards show your name and Social Security number.
It is a good idea to get the number when your child is born. You can apply for a Social Security number for your baby when you apply for your baby's birth certificate. We will mail the Social Security card to you. Or, you can wait and apply at any Social Security office, but you will have to provide proof of age, identity and U.S. citizenship for your child and proof of your identity.
In addition, if your child is age 12 or older and needs to apply for an original number, he or she must have an in-person interview. If your child, age 12 or older was born in the United States, he or she must explain why he or she does not already have a Social Security number.
If you need a Social Security number for your adopted child, you may want to wait until the adoption is complete. If you want to claim your child for tax purposes while the adoption is still pending, you need to contact the Internal Revenue Service for Form W-7A, Application For Taxpayer Identification Number For Pending U.S. Adoptions. For more information, ask for the publication, Social Security Numbers For Children (Publication No. 05-10023).
If you 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:
To issue you a corrected card, we need to see one or more recently issued, original or certified documents that show your old name and the name you want on the card, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree. If you are a U.S. citizen born outside the United States, and our records do not show you are a citizen, you will need to provide proof of your U.S. citizenship. If you are not a citizen, we must see proof of your current immigration status. The new card will have the same number as your previous card but will show your new name.
Each year your employer sends a copy of your W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) to Social Security. We compare your name and Social Security number on the W-2 with the information in our files. We add the earnings shown on the W-2 to your Social Security record.
It is critical that your name and Social Security number on your Social Security card agree with your employer's payroll records and W-2 so that we can credit your earnings to your record. It is up to you to make sure that both Social Security's records and your employer's records are correct. If your Social Security card is incorrect, contact any Social Security office to make changes. Check your W-2 form to make sure your employer's record is correct and if it is not, give your employer the accurate information.
If you are a worker age 25 and older and not receiving benefits, you receive a Social Security Statement every year that summarizes your earnings. Review this Statement to make sure that all your earnings are included. If your Statement does not include all your earnings, let your employer and/or your Social Security office know about any incorrect information.
If your immigration status changed or you became a U.S. citizen, you should tell Social Security so your records can be updated. To get your immigration status or citizenship corrected, you need to show documents that prove your new status or citizenship.
You can replace your card or your child's card for free if it is lost or stolen. Call or visit us. You will need to:
Your replacement card will have the same name and number as your previous card. We recommend that you keep your Social Security card in a safe place. It is an important document. DO NOT carry it with you.
We can accept original or certified copies of documents to prove your identity. Examples of documents we can accept are:
You should treat your Social Security number as confidential information and avoid giving it out unnecessarily. You should keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you unless you need to show it to an employer or service provider.
We do several things to protect your number from misuse. For example, we require and carefully inspect proof of identity from people who apply to replace lost or stolen Social Security cards, or for corrected cards. One reason we do this is to prevent people from fraudulently obtaining Social Security numbers to establish false identities. We maintain the privacy of Social Security records unless:
You should be very careful about sharing your number and card to protect against misuse of your number. Giving your number is voluntary even when you are asked for the number directly. If requested, you should ask:
The answers to these questions can help you decide if you want to give your Social Security number. The decision is yours.
For more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call toll-free 1-800-772-1213 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778). We can answer specific questions and provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day.
We treat all calls confidentially. We also want to make sure you receive accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative monitor some telephone calls.
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