How to Obtain a United States Social Security Number
- 1). Obtain Form SS-5 Application for a Social Security Card from the Social Security Administration.
- 2). Fill out Form SS-5 using either black or blue ink. The form is currently -- as of January 2011 -- broken down into 17 sections. These sections include spaces to fill out information pertaining to your "Name;" previous Social Security Number assignment -- if applicable; "Place of Birth;" "Date of Birth;" "Citizenship" status; "Race" -- filling out this section is optional; "Ethnicity" -- filling out this section is optional; "Sex;" Mother's birth name and Social Security number -- if applicable; Father's birth name and Social Security number -- if applicable; as well as other bits of information.
- 3). Gather the supporting documents you need. This information is listed on the SS-5 form. The documents you need depend upon your age, U.S. citizenship status, and whether or not you permitted to legally work in the U.S. For example, for both U.S. born and foreign born U.S. citizens aged 12 or older you need to supply at least one document supporting proof of citizenship. This requirement may be satisfied by furnishing either your original birth certificate, or a certified copy of your birth certificate from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the state where you were born; the original copy of a U.S. consular report of birth; a U.S. passport; a Certificate of Naturalization; or a Certificate of Citizenship. You must also supply at least one document to support proof of your identity. The document you supply cannot be expired, it has to be current. It must list your name, age, birth date, and include a recent photo of yourself. Acceptable identity proving documents include a valid U.S. driver's license, state-issued non-driver identification card, or a U.S. Passport. Finally, you also need to present documents supporting proof of age. Your original birth certificate, or a certified copy of your birth certificate from the issuing agency is the preferred document to satisfy this requirement. In lieu of this, a U.S. passport will suffice.
- 4). Submit your application, along with your supporting documents to the Social Security Agency. See the "Locate Nearest Social Security Office" link in the Resources. In some cases you are allowed to mail your application and supporting documents to the Social Security office. But since some of the supporting documents you are required to submit must either be an original copy or a certified copy the document, it's better to submit the application in person. If you are a U.S. citizen, ages 12 or older, applying for a Social Security number, you cannot mail this form in. You have to appear in person for an interview at the Social Security office as a part of the application process.