Social Security Number Application

A Social Security Number (SSN) is used by employers and employees for tax-reporting purposes only. The employer needs to withhold taxes on your earnings using your unique number, and you need your social security number when you file a tax return.

On this page:

Overview
Before You Apply
How to Apply
Replacing a Lost Social Security Card

Overview

Social Security Number Application

Your Columbia University ID number is for internal use only. It is not an SSN. You must go in person to the Social Security Office to apply for an SSN.: Your Columbia University ID number is for internal use only. It is not an SSN. You must go in person to the Social Security Office to apply for an SSN.
An SSN is not a work permit. An SSN is used only for tax-reporting purposes.: An SSN is not a work permit. An SSN is used only for tax-reporting purposes.
You do not need an SSN to open a bank account, rent an apartment, start a mobile phone contract, or get a credit card.: You do not need an SSN to open a bank account, rent an apartment, start a mobile phone contract, or get a credit card.
You don't need an SSN if you already have one from a previous time in the U.S.. Your SSN is yours for life.: You don't need an SSN if you already have one from a previous time in the U.S.. Your SSN is yours for life.

Before You Apply

In general, all international students and scholars need to have authorized employment to be eligible to apply for a number from the Social Security Agency (SSA), a federal agency. Two important exceptions are:

First year F-1 doctoral fellowship recipients who will be paid a “non-work” stipend the first year only and will later have teaching or research responsibilities
All J-1 research and short-term scholars

F-1 Student: On-campus employment: As early as 30 days in advance of the employment start date. Doctoral fellowship: As early as 30 days in advance of the I-20 start date. CPT: As early as 30 days in advance of CPT employment start date printed on page 2 of your I-20 OPT: On or after start date of EAD card (Employment Authorization Document).
J-1 Student: On-campus employment: First, confirm your on-campus employment online with the ISSO .As early as 30 days in advance of the employment start date. J-1 Academic Training: Up to 30 days in advance of Academic Training employment start date.
J-1 Student Intern: On-campus internship: As early as 30 days in advance of the employment start date.
J-1 Research Scholar or Professor: On or after start date of DS-2019.
H-1B/O-1: On or after start date of I-797 Approval Notice.
TN: On or after start date of TN sponsor's letter offering employment.
E-3: On or after start date of E-3 sponsor's letter offering employment.

F and J students and J-1 scholars must have an active SEVIS record.

This means you must have submitted an ISSO online report of your arrival at least 2 days before applying for an SSN, which changes your SEVIS status from "initial" to "active". If you have not done so yet, follow the instructions on the link below:

How to Apply

Gather your documents

✓: Unexpired Passport; Your passport must be valid 6 months into the future.
✓: Unexpired I-20; Program end date on I-20 has to be at least 14 days into the future on date of application
✓: Printout of I-94 arrival record; Access here
✓: SSN Verification form completed by your hiring department; Access here and print on hiring department's letterhead with the administrator's original signature in blue ink. You must bring this completed form to the ISSO to add our endorsement before you go to the Social Security Card Center. *The department administrator's signature must be less than 30 days old on the date you go to apply for an SSN.
✓: Blank SSN application form SS-5 for you to complete (on page 5); Sample of completed form

✓: Unexpired Passport; Your passport must be valid 6 months into the future.
✓: Blank SSN application form SS-5 for you to complete (on page 5); Sample of completed form
✓: Unexpired I-20
✓: Printout of I-94 arrival record; Access here
✓: Copy of official fellowship award letter that must refer to future teaching/research responsibilities OR Letter from your department's Graduate Coordinator or your academic adviser that confirms the terms of the fellowship regarding future teaching or research responsibilities; Must have original signature.
✓: SSA fellowship letter from the ISSO; Bring all documents to ISSO to get our SSA fellowship letter before going to the Social Security Card Center.

✓: Unexpired Passport; Your passport must be valid 6 months into the future.
✓: Blank SSN application form SS-5 for you to complete (on page 5); Sample of completed form
✓: Unexpired I-20; with CPT authorization printed on page 2
✓: Printout of I-94 arrival/departure record; Access here

If you applied for an SSN through the I-765 OPT application, you do not need to follow these instructions to apply in person. Generally you will receive the SSN in the mail a few weeks after you receive the EAD.

✓: Unexpired Passport; Your passport must be valid 6 months into the future.
✓: SSN application form SS-5 (on page 5); Sample form
✓: Unexpired I-20
✓: Printout of I-94 arrival/departure record; Access here
✓: EAD

✓: Unexpired Passport; Your passport must be valid 6 months into the future
✓: Unexpired DS-2019
✓: Printout of I-94 arrival record; Access here
✓: SSN Verification form completed by your hiring department; Access here and print on hiring department's letterhead with an original signature in blue ink. You must bring this completed form to the ISSO for our endorsement before you go to the Social Security office
✓: Blank SSN application form SS-5 for you to complete (on page 5); Sample of completed form

✓: Most recent DS-2019; The DS-2019 which was issued for your Academic Training employment
✓: Printout of I-94 arrival/departure record; Access here
✓: SSN application form SS-5 (on page 5); Sample form
✓: Academic Training letter from the ISSO; The letter for your employer authorizing AT can also be used to apply for an SSN

✓; Unexpired Passport
Student Intern is a category in item 4 of the DS-2019: Your passport must be valid 6 months into the future

✓; Blank SSN application form SS-5 for you to complete (on page 5)
Student Intern is a category in item 4 of the DS-2019: Sample of completed form

✓; Unexpired DS-2019
Student Intern is a category in item 4 of the DS-2019

✓; Printout of I-94 arrival record
Student Intern is a category in item 4 of the DS-2019: Access here

✓; SSN Verification form completed by your hiring department
Student Intern is a category in item 4 of the DS-2019: Access here and print on hiring department's letterhead with an original signature in blue ink. You must bring this completed form to the ISSO for our endorsement before you go to the Social Security office

✓: Unexpired Passport; Your passport must be valid 6 months into the future.
✓: Unexpired DS-2019
✓: SSN application form SS-5 (on page 5); Sample form
✓: Printout of I-94 arrival/departure record; Access here

✓: Unexpired Passport; Your passport must be valid 6 months into the future.
✓: SSN application form SS-5 (on page 5); Sample form
✓: I-797 Approval Notice
✓: Printout of I-94 arrival/departure record; Access here

✓: Unexpired Passport; Your passport must be valid 6 months into the future.
✓: SSN application form SS-5 (on page 5); Sample form
✓: Letter from Columbia employer
✓: Printout of I-94 arrival/departure record; Access here

✓: Unexpired passport; Your passport must be valid 6 months into the future.
✓: SSN application form SS-5 (on page 5); Sample form
✓: Unexpired DS-2019
✓: EAD
✓: Printout of I-94 arrival/departure record; Access here

Go to the Manhattan Social Security Card Center and bring all your documents

123 William Street
New York, NY
10038
(7:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday to Friday)

*Many subway lines including the #2, #3, and A lines go to Fulton Street station. Follow the signs for the William St. exit.

Wait 1-2 weeks to receive your SSN in the mail

After you receive your SSN, we advise you not to carry the Social Security Card with you, but to memorize the number or make a note of it elsewhere and put the card in a safe place with your other important documents. We all need to be careful to avoid identity theft. Don't lose your card! Replacement is tricky.

Replacing a Lost Social Security Card

The SSA will replace your card (and will give you the same number) only if you are currently eligible to get one. However, you may continue to use the number if you know it.

Social Security Number Application

Authorized Employment

When to Apply

New F and J Students and Scholars Must Have an Active SEVIS Record

F-1 On-Campus Employment

F-1 Doctoral Fellowship

F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

F-1 Optional Practical Training

J-1 Student On-Campus Employment

J-1 Academic Training (AT)

J-1 Student Intern On-Campus Employment

J-1 Scholar (Professor/Researcher)

H-1B/O-1 Employed by Columbia

TN/ E-3 Employed by Columbia

J-2 Dependent

Contact Us

Related Content

Related Resources

Students at Morningside Campus

Scholars (Professors, Researchers, Visiting Scholars) at Morningside and Manhattanville Campus

Medical Center Students & Scholars (CUIMC)