You must be able to prove that you are legally authorized for employment to apply for a Social Security number.

A Social Security card is required for anyone to be paid in the United States.

If you or your dependent are not eligible for a Social Security number, you may need to apply for an ITIN (Independent Taxpayer Identification Number). Please see our ITIN page for more information on ITIN.

For more information please see the Social Security Administration fact sheet on International Students and Social Security Numbers

STUDENT CHECKLIST FOR OBTAINING A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD:

STEP 1:

Obtain proof of employment and proof of work authorization.
The requirements vary depending on both your visa status and your type of employment. Please choose the appropriate category below:

F-1 Student:	J-1 Student with DS-2019 issued by American University:	J-1 Student with DS-2019 NOT issued by American University:
On-campus job: (to get a Social Security number for on-campus work you must show both your eligibility to work and proof that you have employment) [ ] On-campus employment letter from AU Human Resources [ ] Signature from ISSS on Human Resources employment letter Curricular Practical Training job: [ ] Authorization for Curricular Practical Training from ISSS (a new I-20 with CPT authorization and signature on page 3) Optional Practical Training job: [ ] EAD card issued by the USCIS (see OPT authorization page for more information) International Organization job: [ ] EAD card issued by the USCIS (see International Organization authorization page for more information)	On-campus job: (to get a Social Security number for on-campus work you must show both your eligibility to work and proof that you have employment) [ ] On-campus employment letter from AU Human Resources [ ] Signature from J-1 program Responsible Officer in ISSS on Human Resources letter. Academic Training job: [ ] Letter authorizing you for Academic Training from your J-1 program Responsible Officer in ISSS, on letterhead with original signature	Before you apply for any job, verify that your J-1 program Responsible Office will authorize you to work. American University cannot issue work authorization documents for any student with a DS-2019 issued by another organization. On-campus job: (to get a Social Security number for on-campus work you must show both your eligibility to work and proof that you have employment) [ ] Letter authorizing on-campus work from your J-1 program Responsible Officer (from the organization which issued your DS-2019). [ ] Employment letter from AU Human Resources Academic Training job: [ ] Letter authorizing Academic Training from your J-1 program Responsible Officer (from the organization which issued your DS-2019) on letterhead with original signature

STEP 2:

Collect the following documents and take them to the Social Security Administration office (listed below) to apply for your card.

[ ] SS-5 Application for a Social Security Card
[ ] Proof of employment authorization (see step 1)
[ ] Proof of employment if you are employed on-campus (see step 1)
[ ] I-20 or DS-2019
[ ] I-94 card (small white card, usually attached to your passport near your visa), or proof of change of status to F-1 or J-1
[ ] Passport
[ ] Visa (F-1 or J-1)

In addition to looking at your documents, a clerk may interview you and ask a few routine questions.

All Social Security Offices are open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except federal holidays. Be prepared for a long wait.

Following are locations of a few of the Washington, DC, area offices. You may go to any office regardless of where you live.

Washington, DC:
2100 M Street, NW (south of Dupont Circle at the corner of 21st Street and M Street)

Maryland:
51 A Monroe Street, Rockville

Virginia:
1815 N. Ft. Myer Drive, Suite 200, Arlington

There are many other Social Security offices in the region. Please see the Social Security Office Locator for additional locations.

STEP 3:

Your Social Security card should be mailed to you within 3 months. In the meantime your employer's Human Resources office will probably want to see your receipt showing that you have applied for a card.


STEP 4:

After showing your Social Security Card to your employer put it away in a safe place - the Social Security Administration advises that you should not carry your card with you.


PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT:
Social Security numbers are often used in cases of identity theft. Be cautious in sharing the number with anyone, and keep the card in a safe place with other important documents, rather than carrying it with you and risking losing it or having it stolen.
For more information, please see the Social Security website page on Identity Theft.

REPLACEMENT OF LOST SOCIAL SECURITY CARD:
If you lose your Social Security card you will need to follow the same procedure to apply for a replacement card, which will have the same number. Note that you will again need to show current proof of employment and proof of work eligibility.

For other information, including name changes, please see the Social Security website.