We issue three types of Social Security cards. All cards show your name and Social Security number.

1. The first type of card shows your name and Social Security number and lets you work without restriction. We issue it to:
   • U.S. citizens; and
   • People lawfully admitted to the United States on a permanent basis.
   
   
2. The second type of card shows your name and number and notes, “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION.” We issue this type of card to people lawfully admitted to the United States on a temporary basis who have DHS authorization to work.
   
   
3. The third type of card shows your name and number and notes, “NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT.” We issue it to people from other countries:
   • Who are lawfully admitted to the United States without work authorization from DHS, but with a valid nonwork reason for needing a Social Security number; or
   • Who need a number because of a federal law requiring a Social Security number to get a benefit or service.

Source:
http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/cards.htm
(February 2009)

Visa Classifications that Allow You to Work in the U.S.

http://www.ssa.gov/immigration/visa.htm

Documents you need for a Social Security Card


Social Security Number for a U.S.-Born Citizen Age 12 or Older

To apply for a Social Security number:

• Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and
• Show us documents proving:
  • U.S. citizenship;
  • Age; and
  • Identity.
• Take your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office.

Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number card must appear for an interview at a Social Security office.


Citizenship

We can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. consular report of birth, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship.


Age

You must present your birth certificate if you have it or can easily obtain it. If not, we can consider other documents, such as your passport to prove age. Social Security must verify a birth record for all U.S.-born applicants of any age who apply for an original Social Security number.


Identity

We can accept only certain documents as proof of identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph. For example, as proof of identity Social Security must see your:

• U. S. driver’s license;
• State-issued nondriver identification card; or
• U.S. passport.

If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, we will ask to see other documents, including:

• Employee ID card;
• School ID card;
• Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); or
• U.S. military ID card.

We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

We will mail your card as soon as we have all of your information and have verified your documents.

Keep your Social Security card in a safe place. It is an important document. Do not carry it with you.



Foreign-Born U.S. Citizen Age 12 or Over Social Security Number for a Foreign-Born U.S. Citizen Age 12 or Over (never had a number)

To apply for a Social Security number:

• Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and
  Show us documents proving:
  • U.S. citizenship;
  • Age; and
  • Identity.
• Take your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office.

Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number must appear for an interview at a Social Security office.


Citizenship

We can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. consular report of birth, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship.


Age

You must present your birth certificate if you have it or can easily obtain it. If not, we can consider other documents, such as your passport, to prove age.


Identity

We can accept only certain documents as proof of identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph. For example, as proof of identity Social Security must see your:

• U. S. driver’s license;
• State-issued nondriver identification card; or
• U.S. passport.

If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, we will ask to see other documents, including:

• Employee ID card;
• School ID card;
• Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); or
• U.S. military ID card.

We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

We will mail your card as soon as we have all of your information and have verified your documents.

Keep your Social Security card in a safe place. It is an important document. Do not carry it with you.



Original Social Security Number for a Noncitizen Adult

In general, only noncitizens who have permission to work from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can apply for a Social Security number. If you do not have permission to work but need a Social Security number for other purposes, see “Work eligibility” for further information.

To apply for a Social Security number:

• Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and
• Show us documents proving:
  • Immigration status;
  • Work eligibility;
  • Age; and
  • Identity.
• Take your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office.

Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number card must appear for an interview at a Social Security office.


Immigration status

To prove your U.S. immigration status, you must show us the current U.S. immigration document, I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, issued to you when you arrived in the United States. If you are an F-1 or M-1 student, you also must show us your I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. If you are a J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor, you must show us your DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status.


Work eligibility

For most foreign workers, we only need to see an I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Some foreign workers also must show their work permits from DHS (I-766 or I-688B).

Student: If you are an F-1 student authorized to work in curricular practical training, you must provide us with a Form I-20 with the employment page (page 3) completed and signed by a designated school official. We also need to see evidence of that employment, such as a recent pay slip or a letter from your employer. Your supervisor must sign and date the letter. The letter must describe:

• Your job;
• Your employment start date;
• The number of hours you are, or will be, working; and
• Your supervisor's name and telephone number.

If you are an F-1 or M-1 student and are authorized to work off campus, you must provide us with the Employment Authorization Document you received from DHS.

If you are a J-1 student, you must provide a letter from your sponsor. The letter should be on sponsor letterhead with an original signature that authorizes your employment.


If you do not have permission to work

Lawfully admitted noncitizens can get many benefits and services without a Social Security number. You do not need a number to conduct business with a bank, register for school, apply for educational tests, obtain private health insurance, apply for school lunch programs or apply for subsidized housing. You cannot get a Social Security number for the sole purpose of obtaining a driver’s license.

Government benefits or services: If you do not have permission to work, you may apply for a Social Security number only if:

• A federal law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get a particular benefit or service; or
• A state or local law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get general assistance benefits that you already have qualified for.

If you need a number to meet these state or local requirements, you must bring us a letter from the government agency. It must be on letterhead stationery (no form letters or photocopies) and:

• Specifically identify you as the applicant;
• Cite the law requiring you to have a Social Security number;
• Indicate that you meet all the agency’s requirements, except having the number; and
• Contain an agency contact name and telephone number.

Taxes: If you need a number for tax purposes and you are not authorized to work in the United States, you can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Visit IRS in person or call the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-TAXFORM (1-800-829-3676), and request Form W-7, Application For An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

If you are assigned a number for nonwork purposes, you cannot use it to work. If you use it to work, we will inform DHS.


Age

You must present your birth certificate if you have it or can easily obtain it. If not, we can consider other documents, such as your passport or a document issued by DHS, to prove your age.


Identity

Social Security will ask to see a current DHS document. Acceptable documents include:

• Form I-551 (includes machine-readable immigrant visa with your unexpired foreign passport);
• I-94 with your unexpired foreign passport; or
• Work permit card from the Department of Homeland Security (I-766 or I-688B).

We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use a DHS work permit as proof of both work eligibility and identity. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. We also cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.

We will mail your card as soon as we have all of your information and have verified your documents.

Keep your Social Security card in a safe place. It is an important document. Do not carry it with you.



Social Security Number for a U.S.-Born Citizen Child (never had a number)

Regardless of age, anyone physically and mentally capable may sign an Application For A Social Security Card. To apply for a Social Security number:

• Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and
• Show us original documents proving your child’s:
  • U.S. citizenship;
  • Age; and
  • Identity.
• Show us proof your identity.
• Take your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office.

Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number card must appear for an interview at a Social Security office.

Social Security must verify a birth record for all U.S.-born applicants who apply for an original Social Security number. An exception is made for a parent who applies for a baby’s Social Security number at the hospital when the baby is born. To verify a birth record, Social Security will contact the office that issued it.

Adoption: We can assign your adopted child a number before the adoption is complete, but you may want to wait. Then, you can apply for the number using your child’s new name. If you want to claim your child for tax purposes while the adoption is still pending, contact the Internal Revenue Service for Form W-7A, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions. For more information, see Social Security Numbers For Children (Publication No. 05-10023).


Citizenship

We can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. consular report of birth, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship.


Age

You must present your child’s birth certificate if you have it or can easily obtain it. If not, we can consider other documents, such as your child’s passport to prove age.


Identity

Your child: We can accept only certain documents as proof of your child’s identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your child’s name, identifying information and preferably a recent photograph. We generally can accept a non-photo identity document if it has enough information to identify the child (such as the child’s name and age, date of birth or parents’ names). We prefer to see the child’s U.S. passport. If that document is not available, we may accept the child’s:

• Adoption decree;
• Doctor, clinic or hospital record;
• Religious record (e.g., baptismal record);
• Daycare center or school record; or
• School identification card.

You: We also must see proof of your identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph. For example, as proof of identity Social Security must see your:

• U.S. driver’s license;
• State-issued nondriver identification card; or
• U.S. passport.

If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, we will ask to see other documents, including:

• Employee ID card;
• School ID card;
• Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); or
• U.S. military ID card.

We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

We will mail your child’s card as soon as we have all of your child’s information and have verified your child's documents.

Keep your child's Social Security card in a safe place. It is an important document. Do not carry it with you.


Source:
http://www.ssa.gov/ss5doc/ss5doctext.htm

See also:
http://www.ssa.gov/ss5doc/

When will I get my automatic Social Security Statement?

You can expect to receive our annual Social Security Statement about 3 months before your month of birth. The following chart shows about when you can expect to get it each year.


Month of Birth = Month Statement Will Be Sent

January = October

February = November

March = December

April = January

May = February

June = March

July = April

August = May

September = June

October = July

November = August

December = September


If you don't receive your automatic Statement by one month before your month of birth or if you need a Statement sooner than you are scheduled to receive it, you can request a Statement at any time.

Request a statement

Source:
Find An Answer to Your Question

Form SSA-7004, Request for Social Security Statement, is used to get a record of your Social Security earnings history. When we receive your request, we will send you a Statement that shows your earnings year-by-year and give you estimates of benefit payments that you and your family may qualify for now or in the future.

You can make your request a Social Security Statement online, but if you prefer to mail it, you will find request form SSA-7004 below in Portable Document Format (PDF), and graphic format. The PDF permits you to print out a duplicate of the original SSA-7004 using any graphics printer. PDF was developed by Adobe Systems, Inc. and allows the reader to print a publication close in appearance to the original printed version, preserving typography, columns, charts, tables and graphics.
To read and print a PDF publication, you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader software installed on your PC. Adobe Systems, Inc. permits the Social Security Administration and other organizations to offer this software to the public free of charge. You can download the Adobe Acrobat Reader version suitable for your system by clicking on this button .

After you download the Adobe Acrobat Reader, come back to this page and download the PDF version of the SSA-7004 below. PDF files are printer independent and should print easily on any graphics printer (i.e., laser, inkjet). Print the form on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper, complete and sign form, fold in thirds, insert it in a standard size number 10 business envelope (4 1/8 x 9 1/2) and mail to:




http://www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-7004.html




Information about Requesting a Social Security Statement

This service is available (Eastern Time):
Monday through Friday - All Day (except 2:00 AM - 3:00 AM)
Saturday 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Holidays 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM

The Social Security Statement is a valuable document that estimates your future Social Security benefits and tells you how to qualify for those benefits.

This service allows you to transmit your request for a Social Security Statement using an online form. However, we do not send your Statement information back on the Internet. Instead, you will receive a response to your request by U.S. mail in 2-4 weeks.

Your Social Security Statement will include:

• A record of your earnings history and an estimate of how much you and your employer paid in Social Security taxes; and
• Estimates of benefits you (and your family) may be eligible for now and in the future.

To request your Social Security Statement, you will need:

• Your name as shown on your Social Security Card
• Your Social Security Number
• Your date of birth
• Your place of birth
• Your mother's maiden name - last name only (to help identify you)

Optional:

It will help us give you better benefit estimates if you also give us:

• Your last years' earnings and an estimate of your current and future earnings
• Age at which you plan to stop work

Some words about security:

SSA takes numerous steps to keep your accounts and personal information secure, but you also play a role in maintaining the security of your information. Here's what you can do:

• You may not always be at your own computer when you request a Social Security Statement. Therefore, it's important to exit your browser when you're finished so others cannot see the information that you have entered.
• We recommend you use the built-in security features Web browsers provide. Choosing certain security settings and options will help protect the privacy of your personal information. Security settings on your browser vary depending on whether you are using a Netscape or Microsoft product and by version of these browsers. For more information consult the Help files of your browser software.

Unless you have turned JavaScript off in your browser, you will receive a warning after 25 minutes and you can extend your time on the page. After the third warning, you must move to another page, or your time will run out and your work on that page will be lost.

If you are not comfortable sending information to us on the Internet, you may download the Social Security Statement request form (SSA-7004) and mail it to the address on the form.

Want More Information?

If you have more questions about the Internet request for a Social Security Statement, read our Frequently Asked Questions.

Request Your Social Security Statement Now

To request a Statement using the Internet, simply select the button below and we will take you to the Online request form. You will receive your Statement through regular mail in about 2-4 weeks.

Please Note:

If you automatically receive a Social Security Statement about three months before your birthday each year, this request will stop your next scheduled mailing. You won't receive another automatic Statement until the following year.

Block access to your personal information

If you want to prevent online and automated telephone access to your personal information, you can block access to your personal information.