HOW TO COMPLETE THIS APPLICATION
Complete and sign this application LEGIBLY using ONLY black or blue ink on the attached or downloaded
form using only 8 ½” x 11” (or A4, 8.25” x 11.7”) paper.
GENERAL: Items on the form are self-explanatory or are discussed below. The numbers match the numbered items
on the form. If you are completing this form for someone else, please complete the items as they apply to that person.
4. Show the month, day, and full (4 digit) year of birth; for example, “1998” for year of birth.
5. If you check “Legal Alien Not Allowed to Work” or “Other,” you must provide a document from a U.S.
Federal, State, or local government agency that explains why you need a Social Security number and
that you meet all the requirements for the U.S. government benefit. NOTE: Most agencies do not
require that you have a Social Security number. Contact us to see if your reason qualifies for a
Social Security number.
6., 7. Providing race and ethnicity information is voluntary and is requested for informational and
statistical purposes only. Your choice whether to answer or not does not affect decisions we make
on your application. If you do provide this information, we will treat it very carefully.
9.B.,10.B. If you are applying for an original Social Security card for a child under age 18, you MUST
show the parents' Social Security numbers unless the parent was never assigned a Social
Security number. If the number is not known and you cannot obtain it, check the
“unknown” box.
13. If the date of birth you show in item 4 is different from the date of birth currently shown on your
Social Security record, show the date of birth currently shown on your record in item 13 and provide
evidence to support the date of birth shown in item 4.
16. Show an address where you can receive your card.
17. WHO CAN SIGN THE APPLICATION? If you are age 18 or older and are physically and mentally
capable of reading and completing the application, you must sign in item 17. If you are under age
18, you may either sign yourself, or a parent or legal guardian may sign for you. If you are over age
18 and cannot sign on your own behalf, generally a legal guardian, parent, or close relative may sign
for you. If you cannot sign your name, you should sign with an "X” mark and have two people sign as
witnesses in the space beside the mark. Please do not alter your signature by including additional
information on the signature line as this may invalidate your application. Contact us if you have
questions about who may sign your application.
HOW TO SUBMIT THIS APPLICATION
You can mail this signed application or take this signed application with your documents to any U.S. Social Security
office or your Federal Benefits Unit. If you are a military dependent or a U.S. citizen working on a U.S. military post,
you may also go to the Post Adjutant or Personnel Office. If you do not want to mail your original documents, take
them along with this application to one of the offices listed above. The people there will make certified copies of your
original documents and mail them to the Social Security Administration along with this application. Do not mail your
original documents to the Social Security Administration in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Form SS-5-FS (11-2019) UF
Evidence of Immigration Status
You must provide a current unexpired document issued to you by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
showing your immigration status, such as Form I-551, I-94, or I-766. If you are an international student or exchange
visitor, you may need to provide additional documents, such as Form I-20, DS-2019, or a letter authorizing
employment from your school and employer (F-1) or sponsor (J-1). We CANNOT accept a receipt showing you
applied for the document. If you are not authorized to work in the U.S., we can issue you a Social Security card only if
you need the number for a valid non-work reason. Your card will be marked to show you cannot work and if you do
work, we will notify DHS. See item 5 for more information.