The importance of this number to American citizenship makes us want to ask about what age do you get your social security number. Is it before or after 16 years? Or is it meant for only adults? These are questions that may have riddled the minds of inquisitive international as well as American citizens for so long. Answers are here provided to settle the puzzle.
The social security number is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents. The number is issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration, an independent agency of the United States government.
Besides the original purpose for the number which was for the Social Security Administration to track individuals, the Social Security number has become a de facto national identification number for taxation and other purposes. It is an identifier for individuals within the United States, although rare errors occur where duplicates do exist. A few duplications did occur when prenumbered cards were sent out to regional SSA offices and (originally) post offices.
Also, a Social Security number is required for parents to claim their children as dependents for federal income tax purposes, and the Internal Revenue Service requires all corporations to obtain SSNs (or alternative identifying numbers) from their employees, as described below.
Qualified Age for the Social Security Number: Processes
Getting the SSN can be hectic yet necessary! Just like every other official obligations, it requires that we pay attention to some salient information that will aid the processing of our social security number. Some of these steps which include the age and all are boldly outlined below:
U.S. Citizens
Following documents are required to apply for an SSN:
- Completed Form SS-5 (Application For A Social Security Card).
- Proof of U.S. citizenship: You may submit US birth certificate, U.S. consular report of birth, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship.
- Proof of Age: Your birth certificate or passport may be submitted to prove your age.
- Proof of identity: Your identity must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph. Your U.S. driver’s license; State-issued non-driver identification card or U.S. passport may be used to prove your identity. If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, other documents that can be considered are:
- Employee ID card;
- School ID card;
- Health insurance card (not a Medicare card);
- U.S. military ID card; or
- Adoption decree.
Once you have collected all the required documents, submit your completed application and documents in person to your nearest local Social Security office. Persons of age 12 or older applying for an original Social Security number card must appear for an interview at a Social Security office. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. Photocopies or notarized copies of documents are not accepted.
Non-citizens who have work authorization from DHS
Only non-citizens who have permission to work from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can apply for a Social Security number.
Following documents are required to apply for an SSN:
- Completed Form SS-5 (Application For A Social Security Card)
- Documents to prove your Immigration status & Work Eligibility: The I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) issued to you when you arrived in the United States will be needed to prove your immigration status.
- If you are an F-1 or M-1 student, you will be required to show Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status). If you are a J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor, you will be required to show your Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status).
An F-1 student authorized to work in curricular practical training, must provide the Form I-20 with the employment page (page 3) completed and signed by a designated school official. Evidence of the employment, such as a recent pay slip or a letter from your employer will also be necessary. Your supervisor must sign and date the letter and it must describe the following:
- Your job;
- Your employment start date;
- The number of hours you are, or will be, working;
- Your supervisor’s name and telephone number.
An F-1 or M-1 student authorized to work off campus, must provide the SSA with the Employment Authorization Document received from DHS. A J-1 student will be required to provide a letter from his/her sponsor. The letter should be on sponsor letterhead with an original signature that authorizes the employment.
- Proof of age: Your birth certificate or passport may be submitted to prove your age.
- Proof of your identity: A current DHS document will be required by the Social Security Office. Acceptable documents include:
- Form I-551 (includes machine-readable immigrant visa with your unexpired foreign passport)
- I-94 with your unexpired foreign passport
- Work permit card from the Department of Homeland Security (I-766 or I-688B).
Once you have collected all the required documents, take your completed application and documents to your nearest local Social Security office. Persons of age 12 or older applying for an original Social Security number card must appear for an interview at a Social Security office. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. Photocopies or notarized copies of documents are not accepted.
