Guide to Applying for a Social Security Card
A social security card is one of the most important documents in the United States. It is issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and contains a unique nine-digit number that is used to identify individuals for tax and other purposes. If you are eligible to receive a social security card, it is important that you apply as soon as possible. In this guide, we will show you everything you need to know about applying for a social security card.
Who is Eligible for a Social Security Card?
Everyone who is legally allowed to work in the United States can apply for a social security card. This includes U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain other categories of immigrants who have permission to work in the United States. If you are not legally allowed to work in the United States, you are not eligible to apply for a social security card.
Requirements for Applying for a Social Security Card
To apply for a social security card, you will need to provide certain documents. These documents will help the SSA to verify your identity and eligibility to work in the United States. The documents you will need to provide include:
1. Proof of Identity
You will need to provide at least one document that proves your identity. This document should include your full name, date of birth, and preferably a recent photograph. Some of the documents you can provide include:
– U.S. driver’s license
– U.S. passport
– State-issued identification card
– Military identification card
– Official birth certificate
2. Proof of Citizenship or Immigration Status
You will also need to provide proof of your citizenship or immigration status. This document should show that you are legally allowed to work in the United States. Some of the documents you can provide include:
– U.S. birth certificate
– U.S. passport
– Certificate of naturalization
– Certificate of citizenship
– Permanent resident card (also known as a green card)
3. Proof of Age
You will also need to provide proof of your age, even if you have already provided a document that shows your date of birth. Some of the documents you can provide include:
– Birth certificate
– U.S. passport
– State-issued identification card
– Religious record showing date of birth
It is important to note that all the documents you provide must be original or certified copies. Photocopies or notarized copies are not acceptable.
How to Apply for a Social Security Card
There are three ways to apply for a social security card:
1. Apply Online
You can apply for a social security card online if you are a U.S. citizen and have a U.S. mailing address. To apply online, you will need to visit the SSA website and follow the instructions. You will be asked to provide some personal information including your name, date of birth, social security number (if you have one), and a valid email address.
2. Apply in Person
You can apply for a social security card in person at your nearest SSA office. To apply in person, you will need to complete an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5). You can download this form from the SSA website or pick one up at your local SSA office. You will also need to provide the required supporting documents as described above.
3. Apply by Mail
You can also apply for a social security card by mail. To apply by mail, you will need to complete an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5) and provide the required supporting documents. You can mail your application and documents to your nearest SSA office. You can find the address of your nearest SSA office on the SSA website.
Once your application is processed, your new social security card will be mailed to you. This can take up to two weeks, so it is important to apply for your card as soon as possible.
Social Security Card for Children
Children can also apply for a social security card. A child will need a social security number if they are claimed as a dependent on someone’s tax return, if they earn income from a job, or if they receive certain government benefits. To apply for a social security card for a child, you will need to provide the child’s birth certificate, proof of your relationship to the child, and proof of your own identity. The child must also be present when the application is submitted.
Social Security Card for Non-Citizens
Non-citizens who are legally allowed to work in the United States can also apply for a social security card. The documents required to apply for a social security card as a non-citizen include:
– Non-citizen identification document issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
– Work authorization document issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
– Passport with an admission stamp showing the date of entry
– I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
It is important to note that some non-citizens may be able to apply for a social security number before they have been authorized to work in the United States. This may be necessary in certain situations, such as applying for a driver’s license or opening a bank account.
Replacing a Lost or Stolen Social Security Card
If you lose your social security card or if it is stolen, you will need to apply for a replacement card. To apply for a replacement card, you will need to follow the same process as applying for a new card. You will need to provide the required supporting documents as described above. It is important to note that you can only apply for a maximum of three replacement cards in a year, and a maximum of ten replacement cards in your lifetime.
Updating Your Social Security Card
If you change your name or citizenship status, you will need to update your social security card. To update your social security card, you will need to follow the same process as applying for a new card. You will need to provide the required supporting documents as described above. You will also need to provide additional documents that show the reason for the update, such as a marriage certificate or a court order.
Conclusion
A social security card is an important document that is necessary for anyone who wants to work in the United States. If you are eligible to receive a social security card, it is important that you apply as soon as possible. By providing the required documents and following the application process, you can obtain a social security card that will help you to establish your identity and eligibility to work in the United States.
The process for applying for and obtaining Social Security cards, or, more importantly, the Social Security numbers which are listed on those cards, is currently linked to the immigration process itself. This means that an individual who is applying to be an immigrant to America may be able to submit for a Social Security card at the same time. The purpose of this linkage of the applications is to eliminate the need for those hoping to obtain Social Security cards to effectively submit an additional application separately from the immigration application, as the same information can be used for both applications.
On the immigrant visa application, the would-be immigrant must request a Social Security Card, and must also be over 18 years or older in age when he or she arrives in the United States, and must be considered a “lawfully admitted permanent resident.” Refugees to the United States cannot submit for Social Security cards while in their country of origin.
In order to apply for a Social Security card during the immigration process, an individual must answer “yes” on questions 43a. and 43b. of Form DS-230. These questions are, respectively, “Do you want the Social Security Administration to assign you an SSN (and issue a card) or issue you a new card (if you have an SSN)? You must answer “Yes” to this question and to the “Consent to Disclosure” in order to receive an SSN and/or card,” and “Consent to Disclosure: I authorize disclosure from this form to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), the Social Security Administration (SSA), such other US Government agencies as may be required for the purpose of assigning me an SSN and issuing me a Social Security card, and I authorize the SSA to share my SSN with the INS.”
This is the only step of the process that an immigrant who fills out Form DS-230 need undertake, as the other steps of the process are all undertaken by different government administrations, as the information is sent to the proper authorities. Assuming that the application is accepted, the information is passed to the Social Security Administration, which then issues the applicant a Social Security card which should be received by the immigrant within 3 weeks of admittance to the United States of America.
If Social Security cards are not received within that time, even though they were applied for in the above method, then the individuals in question should go to the nearest Social Security office or Card Center in order to obtain new Social Security cards. They will be required to bring proof of identity, age, and employment authorization. The nearest such offices can be found through government websites
For immigrants who do not undertake this type of application for Social Security cards, an application labeled form SS-5 must be filled out and taken to the local Social Security office, along with the necessary documents, including proof of immigration status, work eligibility, age, and identity. More information on these documents and how to ensure that the necessary information is provided, in addition to information on Social Security in general, can be found at various government websites.
