Additional Information

In situations where the applicant does not receive the card due to an issue such as a problem with the mail, the Social Security Administration (SSA) can take action to reissue the card if you call SSA. Unfortunately that provision only applies for 45 days after SSA has issued the original card. 

If you do not receive your SSN card within the 2-week period after applying at the SSA, check the letter type you received after your SSN application. If you received a "Receipt Letter," contact SSA right away. If you received an "Acknowledgement Letter," SSA must confirm the validity of you documents. This process can take an additional 4 weeks. Regardless, you must contact SSA within the 45-day period following your application at SSA in order to get the issue resolved.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has transitioned the Social Security Number (SSN) application form from the paper SS5 form to an online application.  Applicants must go to the SSA website to complete the application before going to the SSA Office to apply for the SSN.  The online application can be completed up to 45 days before the in-person office visit.  On the final page of the online application the applicant will receive an alpha numeric receipt number. Applicants should print or take a screen shot of the receipt and be ready to present it along with the other required application documents at the in-person appointment.

The online application only replaces the paper SS5 form.  All other supporting documents are still required at the time of the in-person appointment. Applicants under the age of 18 should complete the paper SS-5 application form.

On April 7, 2022 the Social Security Administration announced it is resuming walk-in appointments at most local offices.  This means it is no longer necessary to contact the Social Security Office in advance to schedule an in-person appointment.  Walk-in appointments will be taken care of on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

The Social Security Office asks that applicants who have recently entered the U.S. wait at least 5 days from the date of arrival before coming to the office, and that applicants review the Self-Assessment Health Checklist for Visiting Social Security Offices.