Application Documents

OVIS SSN Letters

  • F-1 students working at Dartmouth College (non-PhD): F-1 General  
    • Please have your supervisor put this letter template on department letterhead, complete, print, and sign in blue ink. Then bring the letter to OVIS for an ink signature by an OVIS DSO. The letter should have a current term date.
  • F-1 PhD students: F-1 PhD  
    • Please have your supervisor put this letter template on department letterhead, complete, print, and sign in blue ink. Then bring the letter to OVIS for an ink signature by an OVIS DSO. The letter should have a current term date.
  • J-1 Exchange Visitors: Request the authorization letter

Required Application Documents

To apply, you must submit originals of the following documents to a Social Security Administration office in-person:

  • Current Immigration Document
    • Form I-20 for F-1 students
       
    • Form DS-2019 for J-1 Exchange Visitors
       
    • Valid I-797 Notice of Approval for H-1B and O-1 visa holders
       
  • Valid passport 
     
  • Valid or expired visa stamp (Canadians are visa exempt)
     
  • Current, valid I-94 record arrival record for most recent entry to U.S. (print this record)
     
  • Printed receipt from the online Social Security card application form filing (Form SS-5)
    • Make sure to enter your mailing address in the correct format. See below:

                   Street Address Example
                    17 Pretend Avenue (street number, street name)

                    Apt 3 (apartment or suite number, if applicable)

                    Hanover, NH 03755 (city, state, zip code)

                    Hinman Address Example
                    #### Hinman (#### should be the actual number of  Hinman box) 
                    Hanover, NH 03755 (city, state, zip code)

  • Proof of SSN eligibility (see additional documents below)
    • J-1 Exchange Visitors sponsored by Dartmouth College: letter of authorization from OVIS verifying eligibility for on-campus or off-campus employment, and the job currently offered or held.  Request the authorization letter
    • F-1 students working at Dartmouth College: a letter from your immediate supervisor, on department letterhead, verifying your on-campus employment, signed by both your employment supervisor and your OVIS advisor.
      • This F-1 student letter template is available online (F-1 General and F-1 PhD). Please have your supervisor download it, print it out on department letterhead, complete and sign it in blue ink. You must then bring it to OVIS for certification by your OVIS advisor. The letter should have a current term date. 
    • F-1 students on CPT: obtain a letter of employment from your employer

For People in Statuses other than F-1 or J-1

  • J-2 dependents: Employment Authorization Document (temporary work card)
     
  • H-1B, TN and O-1 status holders: letter of appointment or employment offer

Important Information to Keep in Mind

  • SSA guidelines require the F-1 or J-1 employment authorization to be valid for at least 14 days into the future to issue a SSN card
  • F-1 and J-1 students may not work more than 20 hours per week during enrolled terms. Make certain that your letter does not indicate more than 20 hours per week
  • OVIS recommends carrying a set of photocopies of all documents with the application