How to Get Proof of Social Security Number

You may need to provide your Social Security number (SSN) to government agencies, or business during a transaction subject to the control of the IRS or the federal Customer Identification Program, such an insurance company, investment advisor, car dealer, or real estate agent.^{[1]XResearch source} To prove your SSN without your Social Security card, you can apply for a replacement card, or the requestor can confirm your number through the data exchange operated by the Social Security Administration (SSA).^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceUS Social Security AdministrationIndependent U.S. government agency that administers Social Security and related informationGo to source}

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Applying for a Replacement Card

If you are a U.S. citizen born in the U.S., you will need to submit your birth certificate or U.S. Passport.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceUS Social Security AdministrationIndependent U.S. government agency that administers Social Security and related informationGo to source} If you are a foreign-born U.S. citizen, provide your passport; or Certificate of Naturalization, Citizenship, Report of Birth; or Consular Report of Birth Abroad.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceUS Social Security AdministrationIndependent U.S. government agency that administers Social Security and related informationGo to source} If you are a noncitizen, provide a Lawful Permanent Resident Card, work permit, student or exchange visa, or unexpired foreign passport with an admission stamp.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceUS Social Security AdministrationIndependent U.S. government agency that administers Social Security and related informationGo to source}
To prove your identity, you will need to submit a U.S. driver’s license, state ID card, or U.S. passport. If you cannot locate one of those document or get a replacement quickly, you will need to provide an employee, school, or military ID; or a health insurance card other than for Medicare.^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceUS Social Security AdministrationIndependent U.S. government agency that administers Social Security and related informationGo to source}
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You can find the application for a replacement Social Security card with instructions at https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf. Follow the instructions, fill out the form, and attach copies of the requested evidence.
Submit your application by mail to your local SSA office. You can use the online office locator at https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp. You can also ask for office locations by calling 1-800-772-1213.^{[7]XResearch source}
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Registering With a Data Exchange Program

The SSA can set up data exchanges to exchange information with employers, state and local agencies, and some third parties. Exchanges can be used to electronically confirm SSNs.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceUS Social Security AdministrationIndependent U.S. government agency that administers Social Security and related informationGo to source} To set up an exchange, you must contact SSA to request and exchange, provide your reasons for the request, and demonstrate that you can comply with SSA’s Information Security Guidelines.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceSocial Security AdministrationIndependent U.S. government agency responsible for the administration and management of Social SecurityGo to source}
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Contact the SSA. The SSA requires different types of requesters to make their requests in different ways. Contact the SSA through the method specified for your situation.
- If you are a federal agency, fill out the date exchange request form at https://www.socialsecurity.gov/dataexchange/request_dx.html. Email it to [email protected].
- If you are a researcher, visit https://www.ssa.gov/policy/about/epidemiology.html.
- If you are neither a federal agency or researcher, email SSA at [email protected] to make your request.
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Explain why you are requesting an exchange. SSA will ask you to provide the following information:
- What information you are requesting and why;
- What legal authority supports your request;
- How much information you expect to be requesting and how often;
- What security measures you intend to take to protect information released by SSA; and
- Whether you have ever had a data exchange agreement with SSA before.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceSocial Security AdministrationIndependent U.S. government agency responsible for the administration and management of Social SecurityGo to source}
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) operates and E-Verify program that allows employers to verify that prospective employees are eligible to work in the United States. E-Verify allows you to verify a Social Security number very quickly, either in real-time or overnight.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceUS Social Security AdministrationIndependent U.S. government agency that administers Social Security and related informationGo to source} To enroll, visit https://e-verify.uscis.gov/enroll/StartPage.aspx and click on “Begin E-Verify Enrollment.”
SSA’s Business Services Online Suite of Services is used by organizations, business, employers, attorneys and others to securely access SSA information over the internet. In order to confirm an SSN through Business Services, you must create an account. To register online, visit https://secure.ssa.gov/acu/IRESWeb/registration.jsp.
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