The Social Security Number (SSN) is the only number available to U.S. permanent residents, citizens and those from other countries that meet the criteria for eligibility. In 1930, it was the very first time the federal government issued a Social Security Number. The Federal government mandated that all legal residents and citizens of the U.S. should be administered at least a valid Social Security Card. It is the Social Security Administration (S.S.A.) issuing Social Security Numbers (SSNs) to those who meet the eligibility requirements.
SSN is a 9-digit number broken into three segments. The initial three numbers typically represent the region numbers that indicate the location of residence in which someone sought their initial card. The middle two numbers of the SSN and the group numbers, which vary from 01 to 99, serve to divide numbers into pieces with a convenient size. For the fourth and final four numbers, the serial numbers between 0001 to 9999 are a unidirectional progression of the assigned numbers.
Importance of SSN
A Social Security Number (SSN), issued by the Social Security Administration, is an identification number that is given to all citizens of permanent and temporary residents as well as permanent (working) residents and other citizens of the United States. The number is usually required to be employed. If you are planning to go on the job, get an assistantship, or obtain a driver’s license, then you will need a Social Security Number.
Primary Purposes of SSN:
- Monitoring working people to help with taxation and yearly wage
- Check the entire credit history of any individual
- Find out if you are eligible for Social Security benefits
- Pay the government a salary report
- The deductions on your payroll to cover survivorship, old age, and disability insurance
- Some institutions also utilize the SSN as a student identification number.
U.S. Social Security Card
The Social Security Administration (S.S.A.) issued U.S. Social Security cards (although the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a number of older versions). S.S.A. offers unlimited Social Security cards to U.S. citizens and individuals legally admitted to the United States. United States on a permanent basis. The card displays a name as well as a Social Security number and allows an individual to work in the United States without restrictions for any company. It is possible to laminate the card; however, you are not able to accept any replicas made of plastic or metal.
The process of applying for a Social Security number
Suppose you want to get your new newborn baby’s Social Security number after you are issued the first passport and birth documents. In that case, We will require the passport of your child and you as well as the birth certificate of your child (if birth in the U.S.) or Consular Record of Birth abroad (if born outside of the U.S.) – originals only. We cannot accept photocopies. Send the SS5-FS form (PDF 164 128KB) along with the authentic documents directly with the original documents to the U.S. Embassy Tokyo, Federal Benefits Unit, Consular Section 1-10-5 Akasaka Minato-ku Tokyo 107-8420 Japan. Send one addressed Japan Post “LetterPack” envelope (please fold it into two if needed). If you prefer to submit your application personally, you can make contact with the Federal Benefits Unit, Embassy Tokyo.
U.S. military members (and their families), military personnel (and their dependents), and others associated with the Department of Defense: Please check with the Post Adjutant or Personnel Office, and they could be able to help you with the application for your Social Security number/card application. To learn more, follow these guidelines (PDF 800KB).
U.S. citizens (non-military) who are interested in getting Social Security cards for themselves or their children can get in touch with the Federal Benefits Unit, Embassy Tokyo, for information on hours of operation and details for applying.
When your kid was born outside the U.S. and moved overseas in the early years of their life, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Embassy Tokyo at the Federal Benefits Unit, Embassy Tokyo, because you’ll require documentation.
Non-U.S. citizens, as well as individuals who don’t reside in the U.S., may be eligible to receive the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to be used for U.S. tax purposes. This is the case for Japanese spouses who are citizens of Japan with no legal permanent residence within The United States. Get more details on ITINs here.
Suppose you or your Japanese spouse is planning to immigrate to the U.S.A. U.S., you will get a Social Security number when you arrive you arrive in America. U.S. as a Legal Permanent Resident. It is not possible to apply for Social Security from inside Japan and have to apply for the U.S.
People who are travelling into the U.S. on student or working visas can’t be eligible to apply for a Social Security number overseas. You must apply for it for a Social Security number in America. United States.
Mandatory Interview Certificates
If you’re looking for an obligatory Interview Certificate in order to receive your very first Social Security number (in accordance with the U.S.-Japan Totalization Agreement), check out the Totalization page.
You’ll need to check your Social Security Number.
On June 24, 2013, on June 24, 2013, the Social Security Administration updated the rules regarding Social Security Number verifications. An alternative Social Security Number card will not be given to non-U.S. residents or citizens with no requirement to obtain a Social Security Number.
Suppose you’re a U.S. citizen or legal Permanent Resident Alien (“Green Card” holder) and need to confirm the validity of your Social Security number. In that case, you should directly get in touch with us for assistance at the Federal Benefits Unit, Embassy Tokyo.
Suppose you’re not already a U.S. citizen or legal Permanent Resident Alien (“Green Card” holder) and need to verify the information shown on the Social Security Number record. In that case, you can apply directly to the Social Security Administration. Social Security Administration for a copy of the Social Security Number record (known as the Numident). To learn more, go to SocialSecurity.gov.
Applying for a Replacement Social Security Card
American Citizens as well as Legal Permanent Residents may request new Social Security cards via Embassy Tokyo. Contact Embassy Tokyo for more information. Federal Benefits Unit, Embassy Tokyo. It is required to present an active passport and permanent resident card along with the SS-5 form (PDF 164 1 K.B.).
Note: Replacement Social Security cards are available overseas only to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents only. If you’re not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and reside in Japan and Japan, you won’t be eligible for a new card, even if you lose the card.
Amending Your Social Security Card
Name changes, such as amendments, are filed with Embassy Tokyo. Contact Embassy Tokyo for assistance. Federal Benefits Unit, Embassy Tokyo.
If you are experiencing any name changes, it is required to present a valid and current photo I.D. and proof of the change in name (such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or a court order to authorize the name change).
Be aware that replacement Social Security cards are issued only internationally for U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. Suppose you’re not already a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and reside in Japan and are not a legal permanent resident. In that case, you won’t be eligible for the replacement card even if you lose the card. If you want to make a change in your name, The Federal Benefits Unit, Embassy Tokyo, will assist you in changing your information in the S.S.A. system. However, the replacement card won’t be issued.
What Do I Do if I Have Changed My Name?
Contact the Social Security Administration (S.S.A.) to update your name on S.S.A. records prior to scheduling the appointment at D.M.V. for your name to be modified in D.M.V. records. D.M.V. electronically confirms your birth date, title, and social security number to the S.S.A.
If your personal information doesn’t match, D.M.V. will not be capable of changing the name that appears on your ID/DL card.
If you’ve changed your name in the time since your previous renewal, you’ll have to go to your local S.S.A. office to change the name in S.S.A.’s database prior to visiting D.M.V. in order to renew your ID/DL card. Then, you can get your name changed simultaneously.
Apply at the Social Security Administration Office
After you’ve gathered all the documents required (including Form SS-5, as well as the authentically signed copies of your ISSS SSN support letter as well as the On-Campus Work Authorization application, if needed), The next step is to bring your application to the office in your local Social Security Administration (S.S.A.) office in order to complete the application. Make sure you request an official receipt in order to confirm the authenticity of your application.
Citizenship
Only certain types of documents are evidence of U.S. citizenship. This includes documents such as a U.S. birth certificate or a U.S. passport.
Age
You are required to show the birth certificate. If it exists, then you need to provide it. If the birth certificate you want to use does not exist, then we might be able to accept it:
Record of your religious beliefs made prior to five years of age, indicating the date you were born;
U.S. hospital record of your birth.
Identity
We will accept certain types of documents as evidence of identification. The document you are requesting to be taken must have a current date (not out of date) and must include your name, identification information (date when you were born or date of death) and ideally, a fresh photograph. As evidence of your identity, we need to verify your identity by looking at:
- U.S. driver’s license.
- Non-driver ID card from the State.
U.S. passport.
If you do not possess particular documents or cannot obtain an appropriate replacement in 10 days, we’ll require other documentation. The documents you submit, including the ones listed above, must have been in use for at least a year (not expiring) and must include the information you provide for identification (date of birth, or date of death) and, most importantly, a recent photograph:
- Identification card for employees.
- School identification card.
- Insurance card for health (not a Medicare card).
- U.S. military identification card.
If You Requested an SSN When You Applied for Your Visa
Suppose you’ve requested an SSN card to accompany the visa application process. In that case, the U.S. Department of State (DoS) is Form DS 220, “Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration”, or the online form DS 266 “Immigrant Visa Electronic Application”, DoS and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security provide us with the necessary information to grant the SSN card. This means that you do not have to submit the application in a particular way or visit the Social Security office to get an SSN.
We’ll assign you an SSN and will issue a Social Security card after you arrive in the United States. If you already possess an SSN, then we’ll give you a replacement SSN card. We’ll mail the SSN card to your U.S. mailing address, where the Department of Homeland Security will send your Permanent Resident card. The card should arrive in your Social Security card by three weeks after your arrival.
It is important to contact us in the event that you are still waiting to receive the Social Security card after three weeks or if you alter your address for mailing after arriving in America. United States. If you contact us, make sure you bring this letter on hand. This will assist us in answering any questions you may have.
If You Did Not Request an SSN When You Applied for Your Visa
It is necessary to visit a Social Security office to apply for an SSN in the event that you didn’t apply for an SSN card when you submitted the visa application. If you’ve got an established address, call us for information on how you can apply for your SSN card.
If you go to a Social Security office to apply for a Social Security card, take these documents with you:
The passport that has your Machine-Readable Visa (MRIV) or Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) in the event that you possess it.
Your birth certificate, as well as a birth certificate for every member of your family who is applying to get your Social Security number.
If you’re applying for the replacement of your passport, you’ll need to present your passport along with the MRIV as well as your Permanent Resident card (Form I-551) If you’ve been issued it.
A Social Security representative will help you with the application. Your SSN card within two weeks from the time we’ve got everything required to finish your application. If we require verification of the authenticity of any documents you provide us, the process could take a little longer.
Additional Information
We require your personal information to obtain an SSN, which is kept private. We do not disclose your personal information other than as permitted by the laws. As an example, we could give information to any other federal agency as is licensed pursuant to the Privacy Act. If you would like to know more on this subject, please get in touch with us.
If you live in the United States, you may contact the phone number in the directory for Social Security at the Social Security office in the local phone directory, in the manual under “United States Government” or the toll-free number for Social Security, 1-800-772-1213. You can also find the nearest Social Security office on the Internet at www.socialsecurity.gov. If you require assistance from us prior to leaving for America, you can contact us. United States, contact the nearest Federal Benefits Unit. Go to www.ssa.gov/foreign/ to locate the Federal Benefits Unit near you.
STEPS FOR OBTAINING A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
If you’d like to get an SSN during your time at a university in the United States, follow these instructions:
1. Speak to your D.S.O. about training and working within America. United States.
Your D.S.O. can provide you with important information about the rules and regulations applicable to F as well as M Students and will confirm if you’re qualified to be eligible to be a candidate for an SSN.
2. Make sure you’re registered in Active Status on the student and exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Your SEVIS account must be active at least for two days prior to applying to get an SSN. You need to hold a SEVIS record with a different state to ensure you obtain an SSN.
3. You must wait ten days from the time you arrive in the United States before applying for an SSN in order to give sufficient time for your details to be updated on the various government systems.
S.S.A. employs its Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlements (SAVE) software to determine your nonimmigrant status and to decide whether or not you’re eligible to receive the SSN. It is possible to use the SAVE Case Check to follow the progression of the SAVE verification online. Go to our checking your SAVE Case Status page for additional information.
4. Go to the nearest S.S.A. office.
The application process for filing to get an SSN card in every S.S.A. office. You must bring original documents as proof of the validity of your I.D., age as well as your work-authorized status in immigration. Every document proving your working authorization and immigration status is required to be valid.
To learn more about the kinds of documents required to obtain an SSN, visit the S.S.A. site.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS AND DRIVER’S LICENSES
Some states require either you or a dependent of yours to have the SSN or have already registered for one prior to the time you can apply for a driver’s licence. If either you or your family members need to be qualified to work but wish to obtain an SSN, you need to first apply for an SSN through the nearest S.S.A. office. You will then be issued the form SSA-L676, “Refusal to Process SSN Application.” For more information, go to the Driving in the States page and consult with your D.S.O.
The Bottom Line
Social Security number, also known as SSN, is a unique identification number that is associated with U.S. citizens and other citizens of the United States. The number has been in use since at the time it was established that the Social Security Administration was established (1935) in order to supply the elderly and disabled with benefits.
The need to have the SSN extends beyond the calculation of the amount we’re entitled to due to the contribution we’ve made over our careers in Social Security and Medicare.
It is required to open an account with financial institutions, make an application for loans, seek unemployment benefits, and get a driver’s license.
Social Security numbers are your primary access point to future advantages. Therefore, it’s essential to safeguard it, as well as the credit card it’s associated with. It is important to utilize it only when it is officially needed (and not just when you’re asked for it).