Frequently Asked Questions

Social Security Numbers

1. How do I apply for a Social Security number for my child?
2. How do I apply for a Social Security number for myself or my child over the age of 12?
3. I have obtained an U.S. Visa that allows me to work in the U.S. May I apply for a Social Security Card before I travel to the U.S.?
4. I need to change my name because of marriage, divorce, or other reasons. How do I change my name on my Social Security records?
5. I have obtained an U.S. Immigrant Visa. Can I apply for a SSN before I travel to the U.S.?
6. How do I get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)?
7. What do I do if I was born in the U.S., but did not receive a Social Security Number?

1. How do I apply for a Social Security number for my child?

To apply for a Social Security number for a child under age 12 the following steps are required;

1. Complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS (click HERE to download a PDF of SS-5-FS)* - all questions must be answered and legible.
2. Provide the following original documents - photocopies are not acceptable. These original documents will be returned to you after examination.
   1. Proof of the child's birth
      1. Original U.S. birth certificate, or (b) below,
         1. If the child was born in the US you must also submit proof that you or the child has resided outside of the U.S. for a significant period of time, to explain why a Social Security number has not be issued in the past. Proof of foreign residency can include medical, school and employment records.
         2. If the child was born in the U.S. Form SSA-L706 (click HERE to download a PDF of Form SSA-L-706)* must also be completed, signed and submitted along with the application and other documentation. This allows the Social Security Administration to verify the birth record with the custodian of the record.
      2. Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad
   2. Proof of the child's U.S. Citizenship
      1. Original U.S. birth certificate, or
      2. Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad
   3. Proof of the child's identity
      1. Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed, or
      2. Original Hong Kong SAR Passport, must be current and signed
   4. Proof of the identity of the parent signing the application
      1. Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed
      2. Original Hong Kong SAR Passport
      3. Drivers license, OR
      4. Hong Kong Identity Card

2. How do I apply for a Social Security number for myself or my child over the age of 12?

To apply for a Social Security number for anyone over the age of 12 the following steps are required:

Anyone over the age of 12 must come in person to the U.S. Consulate. To learn how to contact the Federal Benefits Unit, click here. For our public hours, an appointment is not needed.

1. Complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS (click HERE to download a PDF of SS-5-FS)* – all questions must be answered and legible.
2. Provide the following original documents - photocopies are not acceptable.
   1. Proof of birth
      1. Original U.S. birth certificate, or (b.) or (c.) below
         1. If you or the child was born in the U.S. you must also submit proof that you or the child has resided outside of the U.S. for a significant period of time, to explain why a Social Security number has not been issued in the past.
         2. If the child was born in the U.S. Form SSA-L706 (click HERE to download a PDF of Form SSA-L-706)* must also be completed, signed and submitted along with the application and other documentation. This allows the Social Security Administration to verify the birth record with the custodian of the record.
      2. Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or
      3. Original birth certificate other than above
   2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship
      1. Original US birth certificate, or
      2. Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad
      3. Original Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate
   3. Proof of identity
      1. Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed
      2. Original Hong Kong SAR Passport, must be current and signed
   4. Proof of the identity of the parent signing the application, if applicable - a parent can sign the form for a child up to age 18; a child can sign the form above age 12.
      1. Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed
      2. Original HK SAR Passport, must be current and signed

3. I have obtained a U.S. Visa that allows me to work in the U.S., may I apply for a Social Security Card before I travel to the U.S.?

If you have obtained an U.S. Visa that allows you to work in the U.S. you must apply for a Social Security Card after you enter the U.S. You may apply at the nearest Social Security Office. You can obtain the address of the nearest Social Security Office at http://www.socialsecurity.gov under the heading "Find A Social Security Office". You will need to complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS (click HERE to download a PDF of SS-5-FS)* and provide the original documents listed above.

4. I need to change my name because of marriage, divorce, or any reason, and need to change my name on my Social Security records, how do I do that?

To change your name on your Social Security card:

1. Complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS (click HERE to download a PDF of SS-5-FS)* - all questions must be answered and legible.
2. Provide the following original documents. The original documents will be returned to you after examination.
   1. Proof of US Citizen or immigration status.
      1. U.S. Passport
      2. Resident Alien Card (green card)
      3. Certificate of Naturalization
   2. Proof of name change
      1. Original marriage or divorce decree
      2. Certificate of Naturalization showing a new name
      3. Court order for a name change
      4. Amended Birth Certificate
      5. Adoption paper
      6. Deed Poll for a name change
      If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change is over 2 years old or does not contain biographical date such as a date of birth or age, you must also submit proof of identity in your OLD name. If you have no identification in your old name, you must write a statement as to why you do not have such proof of identity and submit proof of identity in your NEW name.
      
   3. Proof of identity in Old Name, as required
      1. Original current or expired U.S. or Hong Kong SAR passport or foreign passport, must be signed.
      2. Original driving license
      3. Hong Kong Identity Card
      4. Original current or expired U.S. military identification
   4. Proof of identity in New Name, as required
      1. Original current or expired U.S. or Hong Kong SAR passport or foreign passport, must be signed.
      2. Original driving license
      3. Hong Kong Identity Card
      4. Original current or expired U.S. military identification

5. I have obtained an U.S. Immigrant Visa. Can I apply for a SSN before I travel to the U.S.?

If you have obtained a U.S. Immigrant Visa, you should receive a Social Security number card within 3 weeks after you arrive in the U.S. However, if you did not request an SSN when you applied for your Immigration visa, you must go to Social Security office to apply for an SSN card when you arrive in the United States.

6. How do I get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)?

Non-resident aliens requiring a social security number for purposes of filing a U.S. tax return must file a Form W-7 with the IRS for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) with the Internal Revenue Services.

7. What do I do if I was born in the U.S., but never received a Social Security Number?

It is very rare for someone who was born in the U.S. not to have been assigned a Social Security Number. The most common reason for such an occurrence is a child was born in the U.S. and moved abroad while very young. If this is the reason that you were never assigned a SSN, then you must submit proof of your absence from the U.S.

To be sufficient, the documentation must be comprehensive. You should include information from the time that the person departed the U.S. to the present.

The documentation can include:

1. school records such as:
   1. school report cards;
   2. a letter from the school confirming dates of attendance;
2. travel documents such as:
   1. current passports (U.S. or other);
   2. cancelled passports (U.S. or other);
3. employment records;
4. medical records;
5. proof of registration with a doctor or clinic;

All evidence submitted must be original documents, photocopies are not acceptable.

*(To view and print PDF files, please download the FREE Adobe Reader.)

Last modified: December 3, 2009