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Social Security Number

Your client must provide one document that proves he or she has  a Social Security Number from the Social Security Administration or is  ineligible for a number.    

If your client does not have a card, you can find out what papers your client needs to get an original, replacement or corrected card, by  clicking here.

What is your client's situation? 

1.  The Social Security Card

2.  Alternatives to the Social Security Card

Your client must show the SOS clerk his or her original Social Security card. 

My client Lost their Social Security Card

U.S. Citizens: Obtaining a copy of your Social Security Card

  • If your client is a U.S. citizen and needs a replacement Social Security card, your client will have to complete a Social Security card application form and send it to the local Social Security Office. You can get an application, here.
  • Your client must prove who he or she is in order to get a new card.  If possible, he or should use a U.S. passport, State ID, or driver’s license. If you do not have these things, you may be able to use an employee ID card, a School ID card, a health insurance card, a Medicaid card, certified medical records, or a U.S. Military ID card.
  • The Social Security may also ask your client to prove he or she is a U.S. citizen. You can use papers like a birth certificate or naturalization papers.

Non-U.S. Citizens: Obtaining a copy of your Social Security Card

  • If your client is a non-citizen and needs a replacement Social Security card, your client will have to fill out a Social Security card form and send it to your local Social Security Office. You can get an application, here
  • Identity: Your client must provide proof of who they are in order to get a new card. Social Security will also need to see your client's immigration papers and your foreign passport.
  • Your client  will need a Form I-551, I-94 with your unexpired foreign passport, or Work Permit card from the Department of Homeland Security (I-766 or I1688B).
  • Immigration status: Your client must prove he or she is in the U.S. legally.  They can use papers showing they are allowed to work, like a Form I-551 or I-94,  or the Arrival/Departure record that they received when they came to the United States.
  • Work eligibility: Your client must also show that that he or she is able to work legally. You can show this with an I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Some workers may have to show their work permits.
  • If your client is student, he or she must show more papers showing their legal student status. 
  • For more information about the immigration forms, contact the Department of Homeland Security.

Never had a Social Security Card

If your client is a U.S. Citizen - The Social Security Administration website tells your  client  how to apply for a Social Security card. The website also tells your client what papers they will need to get your first original Social Security card.

If you are a Non-Citizen - If you are a non-citizen, you usually cannot get a Social Security Number unless the Department of Homeland Security gives you a paper allowing you to work in the U.S.. For more information about how to apply for a Social Security Card if you are a non-citizen, click here.


Applied for Card But Doesn’t Have it Yet

If your client has applied for a card, but does not yet have their card you should ask the Social Security Office for the Numi Lite paper described below in the next section.  SOS may accept that as proof your client has a Social Security Number.

 NUMI Lite and Other Papers that SOS Will Accept as Proof of a Social Security Number

If your client cannot get a Social Security Card, but you have a Social Security Number, there are other papers your client can use to prove to SOS that you have a Social Security Number:

  • NUMI LITE – This is a paper that your client can get from your local Social Security office to verify that he or she has a Social Security Number. Your client can show this form to the SOS office. It is up to them whether or not they will accept this form. Your client should write down on the  Record of Efforts form that he or she tried to prove that you had a Social Security Number with this form. Even if SOS does not take this form,  it will help show them the efforts that you made to get your card. 
  •  W-2 Form - This is the form that your client's current or former employer provided that says how much money your client made last year. Your client gets it from the employers in the past year in January each year.   SOS will use this as proof that your client has a Social Security because it has your Social Security Number on it and the employer must verify that your client has a social security card.  IF your client does not have a copy of the w-2, he or she should ask for a copy from a current or former employer.  
  • A copy of an SSA-1099 or non-SSA-1099 form: This is the letter from the Social Security Office about how much Social Security benefits, such as retirement or SSI, that you got in the last year in order to file your income taxes. This form is mailed to you in January. SOS will use this as proof that you have Social Security because it has your Social Security Number on it. This form is NOT the statement you get every year about your Social Security eligibility.  If your client  needs a copy of their SSA-1099 form,  they can request one by calling call 1-800-722-1213. An online application should be available in Spring 2010.
  • A recent pay stub that includes your client's name and Social Security Number.
  • A valid U.S. Military ID card with photo. This card must be current or expired for less than one year. Your client can use a DD-2 card, which is for retired military service members only. These cards must be renewed every 4 years. SOS will also accept a Common Access Card or CAC card. This is a “smart card” issued to active duty personnel, reservists, certain non-military personnel, and other Department of Defense contractors.

Not Eligible for a Social Security Number (Certain Non-Citizens)

If your cannot get a Social Security Number because your client is a non-citizen, your client needs to go to your local SSA office and request a letter of ineligibility, Form L-676. This letter must be dated within the past 30 days.   This letter will show the SOS that your client cannot get a Social Security Number.  NOTE: All US citizens must have a Social Security Number unless they qualify for a religious exemption. SOS will not accept a letter of ineligibility from SSA for U.S. Citizens.

Religious Exemption from Having Social Security Number

Some religious groups (such as the Amish) have religious objections to participating in the social security and Medicare system.   Persons who object that can request a waiver from having a social security number.   They need to submit a form to Social Security claiming that exemption.

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