WHAT IS A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER?

Social security numbers (SSN) are primarily intended to identify participants in the federal government's social security program, which provides retirement and disability benefits to workers and their families. However, it should be noted that they are widely used for administrative and identification purposes. The SSN is issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Social Security Administration holds the view that a Social Security Number should be issued only for employment reasons. It is not intended to facilitate the issuance of credit cards, cell phones, bank accounts.

(This attachment lists some companies that offer plans for students who do not have a SSN)

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN)?

• F-1 students are eligible for a Social Security Number only if one of the following apply:

  • Student has been issued an Employment Authorization Document /EAD by the USCIS (United State Citizenship and Immigration Services)

  • Student has an I-20 endorsed for Curricular Practical Training.

  • Student is currently employed on campus or has a job offer to do so.

• All J-1 visa holders are, at this time, eligible for a Social Security Number.

• J-2 visa-holders qualify for a SSN only after having obtained a work permit (EAD) from the United State Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

WHO DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER?

• F-2 visa holders (dependents of F-1 visa holders).

• F-1 graduate students on scholarships or fellowships

• F-1 students who are not currently employed and do not have a job offer.

• F-1 undergraduate students on full financial aid who are not currently employed and do not have a job offer.

• J-2 visa holders who do not have an EAD (USCIS working authorization)

However, if you are in one of the above categories you will be eligible for an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number).

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER?

• F-1 students must submit in person to the SSA the following documents in order to be considered for a Social Security Number:

1. A completed Form SS-5: Application for a Social Security Card

2. At least two documents that establish your age, identity and alien status:

A. Passport that has been issued at least one year prior to the date that you apply for the SSN. If it has not, your birth certificate may also be required or your previous passport.

B. I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 student status).

3. A current I-94 card, also known as the "arrival / departure card."  (This I-94 card should be stamped with the correct notation "F-1 D/S”)

4. Evidence of SSN eligibility, which must be one of the following:

A. EAD

B. I-20 showing unexpired CPT endorsement

C. For on campus employment, 2 letters are needed:

a. A letter from the on-campus employer addressed to the Social Security Administration (a sample letter is available here).

b. A letter issued by the Bechtel International Center confirming your F-1 student status.

 

• J-1 students must submit in person to the SSA the following documents in order to be considered for a Social Security Number:

1. A completed Form SS-5: Application for a Social Security Card

2. At least two documents that establish your age, identity and alien status:

A. Passport that has been issued at least one year prior to the date that you apply for the SSN. If it has not, your birth certificate may also be required or your previous passport.

B. DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) status).

3.   A current I-94 card, also known as the "arrival / departure card."  (This I-94 card should be stamped with the correct notation "J-1 D/S.")

4.   A letter issued by the Designated School Official (F-1/DSO) or Responsible Officer (J-1/ARO). In most cases, this letter will be issued by a staff member at the Bechtel International Center (I-Center). However, J-1 students sponsored by an institution other than Stanford, should get the letter from their J-1 program sponsor.

NOTE: No employer’s letter is required for J-1 Research Scholars, Short Term Scholars, Professors, Trainees, Specialists.

 

To request the I-Center letter, submit the following items at the upstairs front desk of the I-Center:

1. I-20 or DS-2019 photocopy

2. Completed 'contact information' slip (found at the 2nd floor Information Desk)

3. Additional documents:

• F-1 students applying for a SSN for on-campus employment must submit the letter from the employer (a sample letter is available here)
• J-1 students must complete the "J-1 Student Employment Approval" form beforehand.

The letter will be issued within 5-10 days. You will be contacted by email once the letter is ready. After obtaining the letter, ou may go to the SSA Office and submit your request for an SSN.

WHERE CAN I OBTAIN A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER?

Social Security Numbers are issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

You must apply in person at one of two Social Security Offices in the Stanford area:

Phone number: (800) 772-1213

MOUNTAIN VIEW:
700 East El Camino, Suite 350. Mountain View, CA 94040.
Office Hours: M-F 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Phone: (650) 9615324

Directions:

Car: Take El Camino Real and continue until HWY 85. The office is located right after, between HWY 85 and Sylvan Avenue, 4 blocks from the Sunnyvale/Mountain View border.

Public Transportation: Take Bus line 22 Southbound on El Camino Real until Sylvan Avenue Bus Stop. Walk half a block backward to the SSA office.

---

REDWOOD CITY:
601 Allerton Street, Second floor, Redwood City, CA 94063
Office hours: M-F. 9 am to 4:00 pm. Phone: (650) 3630665

Directions:

Car:From 101 take Whipple exit, go south on Veterans to Brewster; turn right, go two blocks to Allerton and turn left.

For more information, visit http://www.ssa.gov.

DOES THE DMV REQUIRE ME TO HAVE A SSN IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A DRIVER'S LICENSE?

If you are eligible for an SSN (i.e., if you have an on-campus job offer, CPT endorsement or EAD) you have to provide the SSN to the DMV in order to obtain a Driver's License.

If however, you are not eligible for an SSN you do NOT have to provide an SSN. (You may find that the a DMV official may demand that you obtain an SSN or a letter from the SSA Office regarding that you do not qualify for an SSN, but you should politely insist that you do not need an SSN or need to obtain a letter from the SSA Office.)  The DMV officer should have access to the immigration data base, and can verity that no employment authorization has been granted and you do not qualify for an SSN. If you continue to have problems because of the SSN, then ask to speak to the DMV Office Supervisor and mention that internal memo

(DMV DL 2003-37) regarding the new SSN on-line verification system also states that the DMV “should not refer customers to the SSN to determine SSN eligibility.”  (This memo was sent on Dec. 3, 2003 and was effective Jan.1, 2004.)

I AM A NEW STUDENT SCHEDULED TO WORK ON CAMPUS. WHAT IF I DO NOT HAVE A SSN YET: MAY I BEGIN TO WORK ON-CAMPUS?

If you are an F-1/J-1 visa-holder receiving a research or teaching assistantship you may begin to work without a SSN. However, since you qualify for a SSN, you will be expected to provide it to your department administrator before the second pay period.

If you are not receiving a research or teaching assistantship, but have been offered other employment on campus, Stanford Payroll policy requires that you have a Social Security Number before beginning your employment.

I HAVE AN SSN, BUT HAVE LOST MY CARD.  HOW DO I GET A REPLACEMENT?

If you lose your Social Security Card and wish to obtain a replacement you have to follow the process as if you were a first time applicant, i.e. you will need to show evidence of employment even if you originally obtained your SSN without having employment.

You can replace your card for free if it is lost (or stolen) by visiting the local Social Security Administration office.

You will need to:

• Complete an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5);

• Present a recently issued document to show your identity (passport).

• Show evidence of your current immigration status if you are not a U.S. citizen. (I-20 and  I-94)

• A letter from the on-campus employer addressed to the Social Security Administration (a sample letter is available here)

  NOTE:  A student who had received an SSN based on an EAD (for OPT) or CPT, will need to show a valid EAD or an I-20 showing an unexpired CPT endorsement.  The letter from the employer is not required in this case.

• A letter issued by the Bechtel International Center confirming your F-1 student status

After obtaining the letter from the I-Center confirming your F-1 status, take the aforementioned documents to the local Soc. Sec. Administration Office.

Your replacement card will have the same name and number as your previous card.  The replacement card will be issued in about 10 days.

NOTE: You may not request your SSN over the phone.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS TO WORK -- COMPLETING AN I-9

F-1 students do not require any formal authorization to work on-campus from either the USCIS or the Bechtel International Center.

 J-1 students do need authorization to work from their visa sponsor. If Stanford University issued your DS-2019 you will need to obtain and complete the "J-1 Student Employment Approval" form before beginning employment.

The 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act requires all individuals who are to be employed (including U.S. citizens) to complete an I-9 Form.

Stanford University is required to collect this from each new employee within three business days of hire.

F-1 and J-1 students who complete an I-9 form and then receive a new I-20 or DS-2019 for an extension of their stay are required to take the new document immediately to the Payroll Office, 655 Serra Street so that their I-9 information can be updated.