Do I need a Social Security Number?

What is a SS Number?

How to apply for a SS card

SS Cards for Family Members

Proccesing Time

SSA Oficial Locations

Do I need a Social Security Number?

Social security numbers are needed for :

• Employment

Social security numbers should not be needed for:

• Class Registration
• Driver's License
• Banking: F and J-visa holders do not need a Social Security number to open a bank account. The bank may ask F and J-visa holders to fill out Internal Revenue Service form W-8BEN to prove that they are exempt from the requirement of providing a Social Security number. Or, Georgetown students may open an account with the Hoya Federal Credit Union.

What is a Social Security Number?

In order to work in the U.S., you must obtain a Social Security card.  This card contains your unique taxpayer identification number, or Social Security Number.  A non-U.S. citizen may obtain a US Social Security Number if he or she has permission to work in the U.S. 

A non-U.S. citizen who is ineligible for a Social Security Number and is still required to file U.S. tax return and should instead apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) by filling out a Form W-7 and submitting it along with his or her tax return.  Copies of this form are available at: http://www.irs.gov.

Note: The Social Security Number should not be confused with the Georgetown Student Identification Number listed on your student identification card or given to you with your Admissions packet. This number is not a Social Security Number and should not be used as one.

Since Social Security numbers and ITIN numbers are issued by the United States government and not Georgetown University, you will not receive the number immediately.  You may have to wait a few weeks to receive the card.

How do I apply for a Social Security card?

(1)  All applicants must present :

• A completed Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card available from http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf
• An unexpired passport*
• Form I-94

*The Social Security Administration will not issue a Social Security Number if the passport is less than one year old unless another document can prove your legal age and identity.  Therefore, it is advisable to bring another piece of identification (national identity card, old passport, etc) with you if your passport is less than one year old.

(2)  F-1 Students must also present:

• SEVIS Form I-20
• Proof of employment authorization.

                A student’s Proof of Work Authorization may be in the form of a verification letter                    for on-campus work from the International Student Advisor OR an Employment                    Authorization Card issued by USCIS.

• Proof of employment.

                Students engaged in on-campus employment must provide a letter from the                            employer on the employer’s letterhead that provides the following:

• name of the student employee
• nature of the job
• anticipated or actual start date
• anticipated number of hours of work per week
• employer identification number
• employer contact information, including the telephone number and name of the F-1 student’s immediate supervisor
• original signature and signatory’s title
• date

(3)  J-1 Exchange Students must also present:

• SEVIS Form DS-2019
• Proof of employment authorization in the form of a letter from the exchange sponsor authorizing employment.  Unlike F-1 students, J-1 students do not need a letter from their employer.

(4)  For individuals in H, O, or TN status, work authorization is inherent to your status, and not additional documentation is needed.

Social Security Cards for Family Members

Only J-2 dependents who have received an Employment Authorization Document from USCIS are eligible to apply for a social security number.  F-2 dependents are not eligible.

Many states request that applicants for a driver’s license have a Social Security Number.  In this case, the Social Security Administration may be able to issue you a letter saying that your dependent is not eligible for a SSN for Department of Motor Vehicle purposes.

Processing Time

It may take the Social Security Administration a few days to a few weeks to process the application.  The actual card will be sent to the address listed on your application form.  However, they will give you a receipt showing that you have applied for a Social Security card. If you are not starting to work right away, it is recommended that you wait at least 3 weeks after your arrival in the United States to apply.

SSA Office Locations

In Washington DC	In Maryland	In Virginia
2041 MLK Jr. Ave. S.E #130 20020 1905-B 9 th St. N.E. 20018 7820 Eastern Ave. N.W. 20012 2100 M. St. , NW 20037	315 N Washington St. , Rockville 20850 337 Brightseat Rd. Landover 20785 11160 Viers Mill Rd Wheaton 20902 6400 Old Branch Ave. Camp Springs 20748 7401C Forbes Blvd., Seabrook 20706	6295 Edsal Rd. Alexandria 22312 1815 N. Ft. Myer Dr. #200 Arlington 22209

More local SSA office addresses are available at: http://www.ssa.gov/

 

For more information on Social Security Numbers, call the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. Recorded information is available 24 hours a day. Service representatives are on call from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on business days.

Revised September 12, 2005 (MD)