Who can get a Social Security number and where to apply

You can get a Social Security number if you are a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident (green card holder). You can also get one if you have a valid visa and work authorization, or if you are a temporary resident with certain visa types. You apply through the Social Security Administration (SSA), not through any other government office.

The SSA issues Social Security numbers at local Social Security offices. You can find your nearest office by visiting ssa.gov or calling 1-800-772-1213. Some applications can also be submitted by mail, though in-person applications are faster and less likely to have missing documents.

If you are applying for your first Social Security number as an adult, you will need to go in person. The SSA does not issue numbers by phone or online, and they do not accept applications through third-party websites or services.

Key Takeaways

  • You must apply in person at a local Social Security office for your first number, and you need proof of age, identity, and immigration status.
  • Newborns can get a Social Security number through the hospital at birth, or parents can apply later at a Social Security office.
  • Processing takes about two weeks if you apply in person; mailed applications take longer and are more likely to be delayed for missing information.
  • You do not need a Social Security number to open a bank account, get a driver's license, or rent an apartment, though many employers and financial institutions will ask for one.
  • The Social Security number itself is free; if someone charges you money to get one, they are committing fraud.

Documents you need to bring

The SSA requires three types of documents: proof of age, proof of identity, and proof of immigration status or work authorization. You must bring originals or certified copies — photocopies alone are not accepted.

Proof of age can be a birth certificate, passport, or driver's license. If you do not have any of these, the SSA will accept a hospital record of birth, religious record made before age five, or school record.

Proof of identity must be a document with your photograph. A passport, driver's license, or state ID card works. If you do not have a photo ID, the SSA may accept a combination of documents like a school ID plus a work ID, though you should call ahead to confirm what they will take in your area.

Proof of immigration status depends on your situation. U.S. citizens bring a birth certificate or passport. Permanent residents bring a green card (Form I-551). People with work visas bring their visa and passport. If you are in the U.S. on a visa that does not allow work, you may still get a Social Security number for other purposes, but you will need to bring your visa and passport and explain why you need the number.

What happens at the Social Security office

When you arrive, you will fill out Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card). The form asks for your name, date of birth, place of birth, parents' names, citizenship status, and the reason you need a Social Security number. You can download the form ahead of time from ssa.gov and fill it out before you go, which speeds up the process.

A Social Security representative will review your documents, ask you to sign the form, and take your photograph for their records. The entire appointment usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. They will give you a receipt showing your application was received.

Your Social Security card will arrive by mail within two weeks. If you do not receive it after three weeks, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and give them your receipt number. Do not assume it is lost — mail delays happen, especially during high-volume periods.

Getting a Social Security number for a newborn

Parents can request a Social Security number for a newborn at the hospital before leaving after birth. You fill out a form and provide your own Social Security number and identification. The hospital sends the request to the SSA, and the number arrives by mail within two weeks.

If you did not request a number at the hospital, you can apply at any Social Security office. Bring the child's birth certificate, your identification, and your own Social Security number. You do not need the child present for the appointment.

Some parents delay getting a Social Security number for their child for privacy reasons. You are not required to have one immediately. However, you will need one before the child starts school, gets a job, or opens a bank account.

Replacing a lost or damaged card

If your Social Security card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement. You are may have access to to three free replacement cards per year and unlimited replacements after that (though the SSA may ask questions if you request many in a short time).

To replace a card, go to a Social Security office in person or apply by mail using Form SS-5. You will need proof of identity and citizenship or immigration status — the same documents as a first-time application. A replacement card arrives within two weeks.

If your card was stolen and you are concerned about identity theft, you can also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) at the same time. This is separate from the Social Security card replacement and costs nothing.

Name changes and corrections

If your name on your Social Security card does not match your current legal name, you can request a corrected card. This happens after marriage, divorce, court-ordered name change, or if the SSA made an error when they issued your original card.

Bring your Social Security card, proof of your current legal name (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of identity to a Social Security office. The SSA will issue a new card with your correct name at no cost. Processing takes two weeks.

If the SSA made an error on your original card — for example, they misspelled your name or recorded the wrong date of birth — tell the representative when you apply. Bring documentation of what the correct information should be. Correcting SSA errors is free and usually processed faster than name changes.

What you cannot do with just a Social Security number

A Social Security number alone does not open a bank account, get you a job, or rent an apartment. Banks require a number plus identification. Employers require a number plus I-9 verification of work authorization. Landlords may ask for a number but cannot legally require it as the only form of identification.

You also cannot use a Social Security number to get a driver's license or state ID in most states — you need to apply for those separately at your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. Some states do ask for your Social Security number as part of the driver's license application, but the number itself is not the license.

If someone tells you that you need to pay money to get a Social Security number, or that you need to use a website or service to get one, that is fraud. The Social Security Administration does not charge for Social Security numbers, and there is no shortcut or private service that can speed up the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Social Security number without a birth certificate?

Yes. If you do not have a birth certificate, bring a hospital record of birth, religious record made before age five, or school record as proof of age. You still need proof of identity and immigration status. Call your local Social Security office before you go to confirm they have what you need in stock.

How long does it take to get a Social Security number?

If you apply in person, your card arrives by mail within two weeks. If you apply by mail, it takes longer — usually three to four weeks — and is more likely to be delayed if documents are missing. You will receive a receipt at your appointment showing your application was received.

What if I was born outside the United States?

You can still get a Social Security number. Bring your passport or visa, proof of identity, and proof of age. If you are a permanent resident, bring your green card. The process is the same as for people born in the U.S.

Do I need a Social Security number to rent an apartment or open a bank account?

Most landlords and banks ask for a Social Security number, but they cannot legally require it as your only form of identification. You can offer an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead if you do not have a Social Security number. However, some banks and landlords may decline to work with you without a Social Security number.

Can someone else apply for a Social Security number on my behalf?

No. You must apply in person for your first Social Security number. The only exception is for newborns, whose parents can request a number at the hospital or at a Social Security office. For adults, there is no proxy or power-of-attorney option.