How to apply for a personal social security number or public card in the United States

1. What about the social security number and social security card?

To apply for a social security number, you need to go to the social security number office near your residential area in person. Local society

The address and telephone number of the security number office can be easily found in the blue page of the telephone book. In order to apply for a social security number and social security card, you should:

Fill in the social security card application form (form SS-5), and

Produce the original documents that can prove American citizenship or other immigration status (including the permission of the US Department of Homeland Security to work in the United States), age and identity, or documents verified by its issuing authority.

Bring or mail the complete application form and documents to your local social security office.

As for documents proving American citizenship, the Social Security Bureau only accepts American birth certificates, American passports, naturalization certificates or citizenship certificates. If you are not an American citizen, the Social Security Bureau accepts the following documents to prove your immigration status: Form I-55 1, Form I-94, your unexpired foreign passport, and the work permit issued by the Department of Homeland Security (Form I-766). International students also need to show I-20 and other documents.

For documents proving age, a birth certificate is usually required. If you don't have a birth certificate, the Social Security Bureau accepts the following documents: religious documents showing your date of birth made before you were 5 years old, your birth record in an American hospital, passport or American immigration documents.

As for documents proving identity, the Social Security Bureau only accepts specific documents. This certificate must be valid and not expired, showing your name and identity information, preferably with a recent photo. The social security bureau may ask you to show your American driver's license, a non-driver's license identification card issued by the state or an American passport to prove your identity. If you can't produce the above documents, the Social Security Bureau may ask you to produce the following documents: work permit, student ID card, medical insurance card (not referring to medical insurance card), US military ID card, adoption certificate, life insurance card, marriage certificate (only in the case of renaming).

All documents must be original or verified by the issuing authority. The Social Security Bureau does not accept photocopies or notarized documents. The social security bureau may use a certificate to achieve two purposes. For example, it may use an American passport to prove citizenship and personal identity. For another example, American birth certificates can be used to prove age and citizenship. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.

After receiving your complete information and verifying your documents with the relevant issuing agencies, the Social Security Bureau will send you your social security number and card by email as soon as possible.

2. Cost?

There is no charge for social security numbers and cards. If someone contacts you and wants to charge you for the social security number and card, please remember that these social services are free. You can call the hotline of the Chief Inspector of Social Security Bureau 1-800-269-027 1 to report anyone who tries to charge you.

3. Are there different kinds of cards?

The Social Security Bureau issues three kinds of social security cards. Your name and social security number are on all the cards.

The first card allows you to work without restrictions. It's for American citizens and permanent residents.

The second card says, "Work is only valid if authorized by the Department of Homeland Security". It is issued to people authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to work temporarily in the United States.

The third card is marked "Invalid Employment". It is issued to people who do not have a work permit but need a social security number for valid non-work reasons, or who need a social security number to receive benefits or services according to federal law.

4. How can I give my child a social security number?

It's a good idea for your child to have a social security number at birth. You can apply for a social security number when you apply for a birth certificate. State agencies that issue birth certificates will share information with the Social Security Bureau. The Social Security Bureau will issue you a social security card. Or, you can go to Social Security. You need to show your child's age, identity and proof of American citizenship. You must also prove your relationship with your children and your responsibility to them. You must also prove your identity. In order to verify the birth certificate, the Social Security Bureau will contact the institution that issued the birth certificate.

If your child is over 12 years old, he must come for an interview in person, even if his parents or guardians will sign for him.

In the case of adoption, the Social Security Bureau can give the adopted child a social security number before the adoption is completed. If you want to use the new name of your adopted child, you can wait until the adoption is completed.

5. What if the name changes?

If it is legally renamed due to marriage, divorce, court decision or other reasons, it shall inform the Social Security Bureau so as to handle the change of certificate. If you don't tell the Social Security Bureau, this may delay your tax refund process and make your income not accurately displayed in your social security record, which may reduce your future social security benefits.

If you need to change the name on the social security card, you must show the relevant documents to the social security bureau. Documents acceptable to the Social Security Bureau include: marriage certificate, divorce document, naturalization certificate showing new name, and court decision to change name.

If the name has been changed for more than 2 years (if the age is less than 18, the name has been changed for more than 4 years), or if the documents provided are insufficient, the identity certificate showing the previous name must be provided.

Your new card will have the same number as the old card, but display a different name.

6. How can I ensure that my records are accurate?

Every year, your employer sends a W-2 form to the Social Security Bureau. The Social Security Bureau compares the name and social security number on the W-2 with the information in the file. Social Security Add the income shown in W-2 to your social security record.

It is very important to ensure that the name and social security number on your social security card are the same as those on your employer's work order. Only in this way can the Social Security Bureau add your income to your record. It's up to you to make sure that the two are consistent. If your social security card is inaccurate, please contact any social security office to modify it. If your W-2 form is inaccurate, provide accurate information to your employer.

You can also check your income records on your Social Security Statement. For workers aged 18, this statement can be found online. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement to open an account.

7. What should I do if my immigration status changes or my citizenship changes?

If your immigration status changes, or you become an American citizen, you should tell the Social Security Bureau so that it can update your information. You must produce documents to prove your new immigration status or citizenship. Only certain documents are accepted, including your American passport, naturalization certificate or citizenship certificate. If you are not an American citizen, the Social Security Bureau will ask you to show your current immigration identification.

8. What should I do if my social security card is lost or stolen?

If your social security card is lost or stolen, you can get a new card for free. However, 1 year only has three card replacement opportunities, and you only have 10 card replacement opportunities in your life. Name changes and other exceptions are not counted.

In order to obtain a replacement card, you must:

Fill in SS-5 form;

Show the original certificate that has not expired to prove identity information, preferably a recent photo;

If you were born outside the United States and didn't show your citizenship card when you got the social security card, show your American citizenship card;

If you are not an American citizen, please show your current legal immigration status.

Your new card will have the same name and number as your original card.

9. How can I protect my social security number?

You should treat your social security number as confidential information to avoid unnecessary information disclosure. You should put your social security card and your other important documents in a safe place. Don't take it with you unless you need to show it to your employer or service provider.

The Social Security Bureau has done several things to protect your number from being abused. For example, the Social Security Bureau requires strict identification documents when applying for replacement of lost or stolen social security cards or modifying cards, and carefully examines these evidence documents. This is to prevent someone from fraudulently obtaining someone else's social security number to establish a false identity. The Social Security Bureau maintains the privacy of social security records, unless the law requires the Social Security Bureau to disclose information to another government agency, or it is necessary to disclose information when managing social security or other government medical or welfare programs.

You should also be careful to share your number. If someone asks you to show it, you should ask:

Why do you need this number?

How this number will be used;

What will happen if you refuse;

What law requires you to show your number?

Social security number is not a work card number.

In some cases, if you have legal residence in the United States, you will have a social security number, but you cannot work without a work card.

The premise of applying for a work card is that you are a legal resident, that is, you must have a social security number to apply for a work card.

If you are a relative immigrant, you don't need to consider the social security number and work card if you get the green card directly. If you only have a social security number, you need to apply for a work card.

It is illegal to hire a company without a work permit and only with a social security number.