1. How to obtain a Social Security number and Social Security card?

To apply for a social security number, you need to go to the Social Security Number Bureau near your residence in person. The address and phone number of the local social security number bureau can be easily found among the U.S. government agencies in the blue pages of the phone book. In order to apply for a Social Security number and Social Security card, you should:

Complete a Social Security Card Application (Form SS-5) and

present proof of U.S. citizenship Or other documents documenting immigration status (including Department of Homeland Security authorization to work in the United States) and age and identity that are original or verified by the issuing authority.

Bring or mail the completed application and documents to your local Social Security office.

For documents proving U.S. citizenship, the Social Security Administration only accepts a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, certificate of naturalization, or certificate of citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, the Social Security Administration accepts the following documents to prove your immigration status: Form I-551, Form I-94 and your unexpired foreign passport, work authorization issued by the Department of Homeland Security (Form I-766) . International students also need to present documents such as I-20.

As for documents proving age, a birth certificate is generally required. If you do not have a birth certificate, the Social Security Administration will accept the following documents: a religious document showing your date of birth created before you were 5 years old, a U.S. hospital record of your birth, a passport, or a U.S. immigration document.

As for documentation to prove your identity, the Social Security Administration only accepts certain documents. This document must be currently valid and not expired, showing your name, identity information, and preferably a recent photo. The Social Security Administration may ask you to show your U.S. driver's license, state-issued non-driver's license ID card, or U.S. passport to prove your identity. If you cannot produce the above documents, the Social Security Administration may ask you to produce the following documents: employee card, student ID card, health insurance card (not Medicare card), U.S. military ID card, adoption certificate, life insurance certificate, marriage certificate (only if in case of name change).

All documents must be either original or certified by the issuing authority. The Social Security Administration does not accept photocopies or notarized documents. The Social Security Administration may use a single document for two purposes. For example, a U.S. passport may be used to prove both citizenship and personal identity. As another example, a U.S. birth certificate may be used to prove both age and citizenship. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.

After receiving your complete information and verifying your documents with the appropriate issuing authority, the Social Security Administration will send you your Social Security number and card by mail as soon as possible.

2. Cost?

There are no fees for Social Security numbers and cards. If someone contacts you and wants to charge you for obtaining a Social Security number and card, remember that these social services are free. You can report anyone trying to charge you by calling the Social Security Administration's General Examiner Hotline at 1-800-269-0271.

3. Are there different types of cards?

The Social Security Administration issues three types of Social Security cards. All cards display your name and Social Security number.

The first type of card allows you to work without restrictions. It is issued to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

The second type of card states that "work is only valid if authorized by the Department of Homeland Security." It is issued to people who have authorization from the Department of Homeland Security to work temporarily in the United States.

The third type of card states "Not valid for employment." It is issued to a person who does not have a work authorization but has a valid non-work reason for needing a Social Security number, or a person who requires a Social Security number under federal law to receive benefits or services.

4. How do I get my child a Social Security number?

It is a good idea to give your child a Social Security number at birth. You can apply for a Social Security number when you apply for your birth certificate. The state agency that issued the birth certificate will share the information with the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration will mail you a Social Security card. Alternatively, you can go to a Social Security office, where you will need to show proof of your child's age, status, and U.S. citizenship. You must also demonstrate your relationship with your child and your responsibility for the child. You must also prove your identity. To verify a birth certificate, the Social Security Administration will contact the agency that issued the birth certificate.

If your child is over 12 years old, he must come to an interview in person, even if a parent or guardian will sign on his behalf.

In the case of an adoption, the Social Security Administration can give the adopted child a Social Security number before the adoption is finalized. If you want to use your adopted child's new name, you can wait until the adoption is completed.

5. What should I do if my name changes?

If you legally change your name due to marriage, divorce, court decision, or other reason, you should tell the Social Security Administration so you can get an amended card.

If you don't tell Social Security, it could delay your refund process and prevent your income from being accurately shown on your Social Security record, which could lower the amount of your future Social Security benefits.

If you need to change the name on your Social Security card, you must provide documentation to the Social Security Administration to prove it. Documents accepted by the Social Security Administration include: marriage certificate, divorce papers, naturalization certificate showing a new name, court order changing name.

If it has been more than 2 years since you changed your name (and more than 4 years if you are under 18), or the documentation you provide is insufficient, you must provide identity documents showing your previous name.

Your new card will have the same number as your previous card, but a different name.

6. How do I make sure the records about me are accurate?

Each year your employer will send a copy of your W-2 form to the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration compares the name and Social Security number on the W-2 to the information on file. The Social Security Administration adds the income shown on the W-2 to your Social Security record.

It is very important to make sure that the name and Social Security number on your Social Security card are the same as the name and Social Security number on your employer's work order. Only then can the Social Security Administration add your earnings to your record. It's up to you to confirm that the two are consistent. If your Social Security card is inaccurate, contact any Social Security office to have it corrected. If your W-2 form is inaccurate, provide your employer with accurate information.

You can also check your income records on your Social Security Statement. For workers over 18 years of age, this statement can be found online. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement and create an account.

7. What should I do if my immigration status changes or my citizenship status changes?

If your immigration status changes or you become a U.S. citizen, you should tell the Social Security Administration so that the Social Security Administration can update your information. You must present documentation to prove your new immigration status or citizenship. Only certain documents are accepted, including your U.S. passport, certificate of naturalization, or proof of citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, the Social Security Administration will ask you to present your current immigration status documents.

8. What should I do if my Social Security card is lost or stolen?

If your Social Security card is lost or stolen, you can get a replacement card for free. However, there are only 3 opportunities to get a replacement card in a year, and you only have 10 opportunities to get a replacement card in your lifetime. Name changes and other exceptions are not counted.

In order to obtain a replacement card, you must:

Complete Form SS-5;

Produce original, unexpired documentation to prove your identity, preferably recent photo;

If you were born outside the United States and did not show proof of citizenship when you got your Social Security card, show proof of your U.S. citizenship;

If you are not a U.S. citizen , show evidence of your current legal immigration status.

Your replacement card will have the same name and number as your original card.

9. How do I protect my Social Security number?

You should treat your Social Security number as confidential and avoid unnecessary disclosure of information. You should keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important documents. Do not take it with you unless you need to show it to an employer or service provider.

The Social Security Administration does several things to protect your number from misuse. For example, when applying to replace a lost or stolen Social Security card, or to modify a card, the Social Security Administration requires strict identification evidence and carefully reviews these evidence documents. This is to prevent someone from fraudulently obtaining someone else's Social Security number to establish a false identity. The Social Security Administration maintains the privacy of Social Security records unless Social Security is required by law to disclose the information to another government agency or when disclosure is necessary to administer Social Security or other government health or welfare programs.

You should also be careful about sharing your number. If someone asks you to produce one, you should ask:

Why is the number needed?

How will the number be used?

What will happen if you refuse? ;

What law requires you to show your number.

A Social Security number is not an employment card number

In some cases, if you have legal residency in the United States, you have a Social Security number, but you cannot work without an employment card.

The prerequisite for applying for a work card is that you are a legal resident, that is, you must have a social security number to apply for a work card.

If you are a relative immigrant, you do not need to consider the issues of Social Security number and work card when you get your green card directly. If you only have a Social Security number, you need to apply for an employment card.

It is illegal to hire a company without an employment card and only a social security number.