How to apply for social security card for new immigrants

Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions. If you did not find what you were looking for, you can ask your question at https://secure.ssa.gov/emailus/.

Table of Contents Show

Immigrating to the United States?
Immigrating to the U.S.?
Apply For Your Social Security Number While Applying For Your Work Permit and/or Lawful Permanent Residency
Form I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization
Form I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
If You Do Not Receive Your SSN Card that You Requested on Your I-765 or I-485 – Contact a Social Security Office
How to Locate a Social Security Office
If You Need Help Completing the Social Security Number Application (SS-5)
Timeline for Receiving Your SSN Card If You Visited a Social Security Office
Your Information and Privacy
How does an immigrant apply for a Social Security card?
How long does it take to get a Social Security card for new immigrants?
Can immigrants have Social Security cards?
Can new immigrants get Social Security benefits?

Do I need to pay a fee to receive an SSN card?

No. We don't charge a fee to assign a Social Security number or issue a Social Security card. If you should lose the card, we will replace it for free. We suggest you keep your card in a safe place, as you would any important document.

Will SSA share any information with others?

No. We keep strictly confidential all information you provide for a Social Security number and do not disclose it except as provided for under the law. For example, we may share information with other government agencies as permitted under the Privacy Act. For more information about this, please contact us.

I will apply for a Social Security card at a field office. What do I need to bring with me?

When you visit a Social Security office to apply for a Social Security card for each family member applying for a number, take:

The passport or travel document with your Machine Readable Immigrant Visa (MRIV);
Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), if you have received it; and
Birth record.

A Social Security representative will help you complete the application. You should receive your card about 2 weeks after we have everything we need to process your application. If we need to verify any document with the issuing agency, it may take longer.

What if I change my address after I fill out all the forms?

If you change your mailing address after arriving and before you receive your Social Security card, call us. If you change your mailing address after arriving and after receiving your Social Security card, you do not need to contact us.

Immigrating to the United States?

Immigrating to the U.S.?

If yes, you might be eligible to apply for a Social Security number before you arrive.

Questions?

Go to the Social Security Administration's official website:

www.socialsecurity.gov

In the U.S.,
call toll-free
1-800-772-1213

Request a Social Security number card as part of your Department of State immigrant visa application.

The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will share your information with us.

List your correct address and zip code. We will mail your card to the address you give.

If you currently reside in the United States and plan to apply for work authorization or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Status from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), you will also need a Social Security Number (SSN). Your SSN allows employers to report your earnings to the United States government.

To save you a trip to the Social Security Office you can now apply for an original SSN or (replacement SSN card) on the same application form you will use to apply for permission to work legally in the U.S. You can also apply for your original SSN and replacement SSN card when you apply for lawful permanent resident status.

Form I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization

If you apply for work authorization using the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization and you completed the section on the application to request an SSN card, then USCIS will send us the data we need to issue your original SSN or SSN replacement Card. If you apply for an SSN card using Form I-765, you do not have to contact a Social Security office to apply for an SSN card. If USCIS approves your application, you will receive two documents - your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), also known as the "USCIS I-765 card" or "work permit", and in another envelope your SSN card. We will mail your SSN card to the address you listed on your I-765 application. You should receive your SSN card no later than seven business days after you receive your EAD from USCIS.

Form I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

We have worked with DHS and USCIS to provide an opportunity for applicants to use form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) to apply for an original SSN and SSN replacement card. If you complete the section on the application to request an SSN card, then USCIS will send us the data we need to issue your original SSN or SSN replacement card. If you apply for an SSN card using Form I-485, you do not have to contact a Social Security office to apply for an SSN card. If USCIS approves your application for LPR status - Your Lawful Permanent Resident Card or "USCIS I-551" or "green card", we will mail your SSN card or replacement card to the address listed on your I-485 application.

Please contact a Social Security office if you do not receive your SSN card within seven business
days after receiving your EAD or "Green Card". Please have this flyer and your EAD or "Green Card" as it may help us answer your questions.

To locate a Social Security office you may visit our website: Field Office Locator | SSA, or call our toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 to ask for an office near you.

If You Did Not Request an SSN While Completing Your I-765 or I-485 – Call a Social Security Office.

If you did not request an SSN card on your I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization” or I-485 "Application for Lawful Permanent Residency or to adjust Status", you must contact a Social Security office to apply for your SSN and card AFTER you receive your Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766) or LPR card or (Form I-551) from USCIS.

When you contact a Social Security office to apply for an SSN card, please have the following ORIGINAL documents with you (we do not accept photocopies or notarized documents):

Your Form I-766 to prove your immigration status and that you can work in the U.S., - or
Your Form I-551 or Permanent Resident Card (PRC) to prove your immigration status.
Your birth certificate to prove your age. If you do not have a birth certificate or you cannot obtain it in 10 business days, we may accept your foreign passport, U.S. military record, or religious record showing your age or date of birth.

If you need help filling out the SS-5, a Social Security representative will help you.

If you did not request an SSN while completing your I-765 or I-485. You should receive your SSN card within two weeks after we have everything we need to process your application, including verification of your immigration document with the USCIS. If we are unable to immediately verify your immigration document with the USCIS, it may take two additional weeks to receive your card.

Your Information and Privacy

Sections 205(c) and 702 of the Social Security Act authorize SSA to collect information
to assign you a Social Security number (SSN) and issue you a Social Security card. The information you furnish is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information may prevent us from issuing you an SSN and Social Security card. The information you provide us is confidential. This means that we do not share your information except as permitted under the law. For example, we may share information with other government agencies as allowed by the Privacy Act. SSA will maintain the information used to assign you an SSN and issue you a Social Security card in SSA's system of records Master Files of Social Security Number (SSN) Holders and SSN Applications, 60-0058. Complete lists of approved routine uses for the information used to assign you an SSN and issue you a Social Security card are available in the System of Records Notice 60-0058, available at http://www.ssa.gov. For more information about this, please contact us.

Request a Social Security number card as part of your Department of State immigrant visa application. The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will share your information with us. List your correct address and zip code. We will mail your card to the address you give.

You should receive your SSN card within two weeks after we have everything we need to process your application, including verification of your immigration document with the USCIS. If we are unable to immediately verify your immigration document with the USCIS, it may take two additional weeks to receive your card.

Social Security Numbers and Immigrant Visas - Information We have a way for noncitizens to apply for Social Security number (SSN) cards as part of the immigration process. When you apply for your immigrant visa with the U.S. Department of State, you can also apply for an SSN card at the same time.

Under current Social Security rules, workers who have immigrated to the United States are likely to receive lower benefits than natives. Because Social Security requires 40 quarters of covered earnings before an individual is eligible to receive any benefits, many immigrants may not meet eligibility requirements.

How to apply for social security card for new immigrants