The Social Security Card
Citizenship Statues

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Social Security Card Application » Social Security Card Complete Guide » The Social Security Card Citizenship Statues

Whether you’re looking to update your Social Security card citizenship status, change your listed legal name, get your first SS card or replace a lost one, applying to the Social Security Administration (SSA) may seem like a daunting process. This is especially true for non-citizens, or for U.S. citizens who were born in a foreign country. In practice, however, applying for a new or updated Social Security card is much simpler than you might think. Here’s a quick guide to applying for a SS card based on your citizenship status:

U.S.-Born Citizens

Unsurprisingly, the application process is simplest for native-born U.S. citizens. To apply for a new or corrected card, you’ll first need proof of citizenship in the form of a U.S. passport or birth certificate. You will also need two proof of identity documents, one of which can be your passport. Other acceptable identification documents include U.S. driver’s licenses, state-issues non-driver IDs and employee ID cards, among other options. The SSA prefers that any proof of identity documents submitted include a recent photograph of the applicant.

Once you’ve gathered all these documents, the next step is to fill out the SS-5 form, which will require you to list a variety of personal and biographical information. You will then need to either mail the completed SS-5 and accompanying identification documents to the SSA or bring these forms in person to a local SSA office. Note that the SSA cannot accept photocopies of identification documents; you need to provide either the original or an official copy certified by the organization that issued the document.

Foreign-Born U.S. Citizens

Applying for an updated or replacement card as a foreign-born U.S. citizen only requires a few additional steps. Assuming you already have citizenship granted by a CRBA (Consular Report of Birth Abroad), a Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of Report of Birth, the first thing you’ll need to do is secure your birth certificate from your country of birth (or a certified copy). You will also need to present copies of your parent or parents’ U.S. passports to prove that you’re the child of full U.S. citizens.

For proof of identity, your options are the same as those of native-born citizens: you’ll need two documents that may include a U.S. passport, driver’s license or state-issued non-driver ID card, among a few other options. Once you have your ID documents as well as the additional documents required for foreign-born citizens, you will fill out the SS-5 form and either mail everything to the SSA or bring it to a location in person. Foreign-born citizens age 12 or older who are applying for their first Social Security Card will also need to be interviewed to prove that they have never held a SS number before.

Non-Citizens

If you are a non U.S. citizen, it may still be possible to apply for a Social Security card. As a non-citizen, you are eligible for Social Security benefits as long as you are temporarily authorized to work in the United States (this includes people with non-immigrant visa status).

If you fit these requirements, you’ll need to gather documents to prove your age, identity, work authorization and immigration status. Some documents, such as work permits, can be used as both proof of ID and proof of work authorization. Other documents you might use to prove your immigration and work status include non-immigrant visas and I-94 Arrival/Departure records. As is the case with any documents mailed to the SSA, these identifying forms must be either originals or official, certified copies. Once you have all necessary forms, you will fill out the same SS-5 form filled out by U.S. citizens.

These application processes will be the same whether you are applying for a brand-new card, updating your personal information or Social Security Card citizenship or replacing a lost card. The SS-5 form is filled out by all applicants regardless of citizenship status, and all applicants will also be asked for two different identification documents. It’s worth noting that if you are applying for an updated SS card because you’ve changed your name, you will additionally be asked to provide proof of the legal name change.