So You Need a Social Security Number – Now What?

Why does everyone keep asking for your Social Security number?

If you’ve spent more than five minutes dealing with U.S. paperwork, you’ve probably noticed something: everybody wants your Social Security number. Employers, the IRS, some banks, sometimes even your landlord.

It’s not just random bureaucracy. The SSN is basically your government ID number for life in the United States. It helps track your earnings, your Social Security benefits, and your relationship with the tax system. You don’t need it for every little thing, but for legal work and proper tax reporting, it’s pretty important.

So the real question is: how do you actually get one, and what does that process look like in real life?

Who actually qualifies for an SSN?

Let’s clear this up before we dive into forms.

In most cases, you can apply for a Social Security number if you are:

• A U.S. citizen (by birth or naturalization)
• A lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
• A noncitizen allowed to work in the U.S. (certain visa holders)

There are a few narrow situations where someone not authorized to work can still get an SSN (for example, if a federal law requires it for a specific benefit), but that’s more the exception than the rule.

If you’re not eligible for an SSN but need a number for tax purposes, the IRS has a different number called an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). That’s a separate process through the IRS, not Social Security.

For the official word on who can get an SSN, Social Security spells it out here: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber.

Three very different starting points: baby, new arrival, or long-time resident

The application process looks a bit different depending on your situation. Let’s walk through three common stories.

The newborn: “Do we really have to do this in the hospital?”

Take Maya and Alex. Their daughter is born on a Tuesday, and by Wednesday a hospital staff member asks if they want to apply for a Social Security number as part of the birth registration. They’re exhausted, half-awake, and wondering if this is really the moment to think about government forms.

Here’s the thing: if you’re a U.S. citizen having a baby in the U.S., the easiest time to apply is at the hospital when you fill out the birth certificate paperwork. The hospital sends the info to the state, the state sends it to Social Security, and the SSN card shows up in the mail later. No separate trip to a Social Security office, no extra form, no digging for documents.

If you skip it at the hospital? You can still apply later, but then you’re doing it the longer way—with proof of the child’s age, identity, and citizenship, plus proof of your own identity, at a Social Security office.

The new arrival: “My visa says I can work, but my boss wants an SSN”

Now picture Amir, who just arrived in the U.S. on a work visa. His employer is ready to put him on payroll but needs an SSN for tax reporting.

Some people in Amir’s situation can actually request an SSN as part of their immigration process with the Department of State or Department of Homeland Security. That means when they arrive in the U.S., their SSN card is already in the pipeline—no extra application with Social Security.

Others need to apply directly with the Social Security Administration (SSA) once they’re in the U.S. That usually means filling out Form SS-5, gathering immigration documents, and going to a local SSA office.

The late starter: “I’ve lived here for years and somehow never needed one”

Then there’s someone like Elena. She grew up in the U.S., was homeschooled, never worked a job on the books, and suddenly needs an SSN to start college and get a part-time job. She’s a U.S. citizen but doesn’t have an SSN yet.

Her path is straightforward but document-heavy: she’ll use Form SS-5, show proof of age, identity, and citizenship, and apply in person.

Different stories, same destination: Form SS-5 and a set of documents that prove who you are and why you qualify.

The form at the center of it all: Form SS‑5

Whether you’re a citizen, a green card holder, or a visa holder allowed to work, the classic path runs through one document: Form SS‑5, Application for a Social Security Card.

You can:

• Download it here: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
• Pick it up at a local Social Security office

The form looks more intimidating than it is. It asks for:

• Name (and any other names you’ve used)
• Place and date of birth
• Citizenship or immigration status
• Parents’ names (sometimes including their SSNs, if known)
• Ethnicity and race (optional)
• Contact details

You also check a box for what you’re doing:

• Getting an original SSN card (first time ever)
• Getting a replacement card
• Making a change (like fixing a misspelled name)

You sign and date it, but here’s the twist: the form itself is only half the story. The documents you attach matter just as much.

What documents do you really need to apply?

This is where people usually get stuck. The SSA cares about three big questions:

1. Are you who you say you are? (identity)
2. Are you the right age and person? (age/birth record)
3. Are you allowed to get an SSN? (citizenship or immigration status)

You’ll normally need original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency. Photocopies, notarized copies, or screenshots won’t fly.

For U.S. citizens applying for the first time

You’ll typically bring:

• Proof of citizenship – U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport
• Proof of age – often the same birth certificate
• Proof of identity – U.S. driver’s license, state ID, or U.S. passport

For a child, if they don’t have a driver’s license or passport, SSA may accept other records like a school or medical record that shows their name and identifying details.

For noncitizens allowed to work

You’ll usually need:

• Proof of immigration status – like Form I‑551 (green card), I‑94, or work-authorized visa
• Proof of identity – passport from your home country or another acceptable ID

Social Security has a helpful page on documents here: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm.

If your situation is a little messy—like name changes, old records, or missing documents—it’s worth reading that page slowly and, honestly, calling your local SSA office to confirm what they’ll accept.

Do you have to go in person, or can you do this from your couch?

For many first-time SSN applications, especially for adults and noncitizens, you’ll need to deal with a local Social Security office. The exact process can shift over time (and changed quite a bit during and after COVID), but the basic pattern looks like this:

• Fill out Form SS‑5
• Gather your original documents
• Contact your local SSA office to check whether they want you to mail documents, schedule an appointment, or come during walk‑in hours

You can find your local office here: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp.

For some replacement cards and certain changes, U.S. citizens with a state‑issued ID in participating states can use my Social Security online services. But for a first-ever SSN, especially if you’re not a U.S. citizen, expect at least some in‑person or direct office interaction.

What actually happens at the Social Security office?

Let’s walk through what the day might look like, so it feels less mysterious.

Imagine you’re Sam, a new college student on an F‑1 visa who just got on‑campus employment. You’ve got your passport, I‑94, I‑20, and a job offer letter.

You go to the SSA office with:

• Your completed Form SS‑5
• Your immigration documents
• Proof of your job if needed (some offices like to see this for student workers)

At the office, you’ll usually:

1. Take a number or check in at a kiosk or window.
2. Wait to be called (bring a book, seriously).
3. Sit down with an SSA staff member who reviews your form and documents.
4. Answer a few basic questions (nothing wild—just confirming information).

If everything looks good, they enter your data into the system and submit your application. You don’t walk out with a number on the spot. The SSA processes it and mails your card to the address you provided.

If something is missing or unclear, they’ll tell you what else they need. This is where people either get frustrated or just take a breath and treat it like a checklist: “Okay, I need X and Y, then come back.”

How long does it take to get the Social Security card?

Timelines can vary, but in many cases you’re looking at a couple of weeks from when SSA has everything it needs. Sometimes it’s faster, sometimes slower, especially if your immigration status needs extra verification.

For newborns who applied through the hospital, it often takes a few weeks after the birth registration goes through.

If it’s been longer than a month and you’ve heard nothing, that’s the moment to:

• Call your local SSA office, or
• Contact the national SSA number listed on https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber

Keep your receipt or any confirmation you got from the office; it makes follow‑up easier.

What if your name changes, or Social Security makes a mistake?

Real life is messy. People get married, divorced, adopted, or just discover that their name was spelled wrong in some ancient record.

Say Olivia gets married and changes her last name. Her driver’s license and passport now show the new name, but her Social Security card doesn’t. That mismatch can cause problems with taxes and employment records.

The fix is basically a rerun of the process:

• Fill out Form SS‑5 again
• Bring documents that prove the name change (like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order)
• Bring proof of identity in the new name (or sometimes old name plus the legal change document)

If SSA made a typo on the card (for example, they swapped two letters in your last name), you still use Form SS‑5, but you’re asking them to correct their records rather than change your legal name.

The Social Security site has more on name changes here: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/.

Common mistakes that slow everything down

There are a few patterns that come up again and again. If you avoid these, you’re already ahead of the game.

Relying on photocopies instead of originals
SSA is pretty strict about this. They want original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency. A notarized copy from your local notary is not the same thing.

Using expired identification
That passport that expired three years ago? Probably not going to work. Check expiration dates before you go.

Leaving blanks on Form SS‑5
If you’re not sure how to answer something, it’s better to ask an SSA worker than to guess or leave it empty. Incomplete forms often mean delays.

Giving an address you might not have access to
Your card will be mailed. If you’re about to move, think carefully about which address you use and whether you’ll be able to receive mail there a few weeks later.

Assuming your visa alone is enough
Noncitizens often need a combination of documents: visa, I‑94, maybe an I‑20 or DS‑2019, sometimes a job offer letter. Check the SSA site or ask your international student office or employer’s HR team what’s expected.

How to keep your new Social Security number safe

Once you finally get that card in the mail, it’s tempting to treat it like any other ID. But your SSN is a prime target for identity theft.

A few simple habits help a lot:

• Don’t carry the card in your wallet every day. Memorize the number and store the card somewhere secure.
• Be skeptical when someone asks for your SSN. Ask why they need it, how it will be used, and whether there’s another option.
• Never send your SSN through unencrypted email or text if you can avoid it.

The Federal Trade Commission has useful guidance on identity theft and SSNs here: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-protect-your-social-security-number.

Where to turn if you’re stuck or your situation is “complicated”

Maybe your birth was never officially registered. Maybe your immigration status is in transition. Maybe your name is spelled three different ways across four different documents. This is where people start to think, “My case is too weird, I’ll never get this done.”

In reality, SSA workers deal with unusual situations all the time. It just means more questions and sometimes more paperwork.

If you’re feeling lost, you can:

• Call your local SSA office and ask what documents they’d accept in your situation.
• Talk to an immigration attorney or accredited representative if your status is complex.
• If you’re a student or scholar, ask your school’s international office; they usually know the drill.

And if someone at one office gives you information that doesn’t quite match what’s on the SSA website, it’s okay to politely ask them to clarify. You’re allowed to understand what’s happening with your own application.

Quick recap: what the journey usually looks like

If we boil the whole process down, it looks something like this:

• You figure out whether you’re eligible for an SSN.
• You decide which path applies to you: newborn at the hospital, part of an immigration process, or direct application with SSA.
• You fill out Form SS‑5.
• You gather original documents that prove your age, identity, and status.
• You submit everything—usually through a local SSA office.
• You wait for SSA to process the application and mail your card.
• You keep your SSN safe and update it if your legal name changes.

It’s paperwork, yes. But it’s also just a series of small, manageable steps. Once you break it down, the Social Security Number application process is actually pretty understandable.

FAQ about applying for a Social Security number

Do I need an SSN to start working, or can I start while it’s processing?
Sometimes you can start working while your SSN application is pending, as long as you’ve completed the paperwork and your employer follows IRS and SSA rules for reporting. Employers can find guidance at https://www.ssa.gov/employer. Many employers prefer you to have the number first, so this is a conversation to have with HR.

Can I apply for an SSN from outside the United States?
In some immigration categories, you can request an SSN as part of your visa process through the Department of State. In other cases, you must wait until you’re physically in the U.S. and then apply through SSA. The SSA site explains which categories qualify.

My child is a U.S. citizen living abroad. How do I get them an SSN?
You may be able to apply through a U.S. embassy or consulate or directly with SSA, depending on your situation. This can be more document-heavy, so it’s smart to check both the SSA guidance and the local embassy or consulate website.

What if I lose my Social Security card?
You can request a replacement card, often without changing your number. Many U.S. citizens can do this online through a my Social Security account if they meet certain requirements. Otherwise, it’s back to Form SS‑5 and supporting documents. Details: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber.

Can I change my Social Security number if I’ve had identity theft problems?
Changing your SSN is rare and only allowed in limited situations, such as ongoing, severe harm from identity theft, certain abuse situations, or serious danger. SSA will expect documentation and evidence. The bar is high, and they’ll usually try other solutions first.

For more official guidance and updates, these pages are worth bookmarking:

• Social Security number and card overview: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber
• Form SS‑5 and document requirements: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
• Identity theft and SSN protection (FTC): https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-protect-your-social-security-number