Your Social Security Number is a nine-digit identifier the government uses to track your earnings, taxes, and benefits

A Social Security Number (SSN) is issued by the Social Security Administration and follows you throughout your working life and into retirement. The number itself has no meaning — it is not coded with your birth date or location — but it serves as the key that links your name to your earnings record, your tax filings, and any benefits you may receive.

You need an SSN to work legally in the United States, to file taxes, to open a bank account, and to explore for most government benefits. If you were born in the U.S., you likely received one as an infant. If you were born outside the U.S. or arrived as an adult, you can request one through the Social Security Administration.

The SSN is also used by employers, banks, and credit bureaus to verify your identity. This is why protecting your number is important — someone with access to it can open accounts in your name or file fraudulent tax returns.

Key Takeaways

  • A Social Security Number is a nine-digit identifier issued by the Social Security Administration that tracks your earnings and benefits throughout your life.
  • You need an SSN to work legally, file taxes, open bank accounts, and explore for government benefits including Social Security retirement and disability.
  • U.S. citizens born in the country receive an SSN automatically, but you can request one at any age if you were born abroad or arrived as an adult.
  • Your SSN is used by employers, banks, and credit agencies, so keeping it private protects you from identity theft and fraudulent tax filings.

How to Get a Social Security Number

If you were born in the United States, your parents or the hospital typically applied for your SSN when you were born. You should have received a card in the mail within two weeks. If you never received one or lost it, you can request a replacement at your local Social Security office or online through the Social Security Administration website.

If you were born outside the U.S., you can request an SSN by visiting a Social Security office in person. You will need to bring proof of age (a birth certificate or passport), proof of citizenship or immigration status (a green card, visa, or employment authorization document), and proof of identity. The process takes about two weeks, and you will receive your card by mail.

If you are not yet a U.S. citizen but have a work visa or green card, you can still get an SSN. Bring the same documents to your local Social Security office. The number is issued to track your earnings and taxes, regardless of citizenship status.

What Your Social Security Number Connects To

Your SSN is the link between you and your earnings record — the official account the Social Security Administration keeps of every dollar you have earned and every tax you have paid. This record determines how much you will receive in retirement benefits, disability benefits, or survivor benefits. If you work under a different name or SSN than the one on file, those earnings will not count toward your benefits.

Your SSN is also used by the Internal Revenue Service to match your tax returns to your earnings. When you file taxes, you report your SSN. When your employer reports your wages, they report your SSN. If the two do not match, the IRS will contact you to correct the error.

Banks, credit card companies, and credit bureaus use your SSN to create and maintain your credit report. This report tracks whether you pay your bills on time and how much debt you carry. Lenders use it to decide whether to lend you money and at what interest rate.

Protecting Your Social Security Number

Your SSN is sensitive information. Someone with access to it can open credit cards in your name, take out loans, file a fraudulent tax return, or claim benefits they are not may have access to to. You should not share your number unless there is a clear reason to do so.

Legitimate reasons to provide your SSN include: filing taxes, explore for a job, opening a bank account, explore for credit, and explore for government benefits. Your doctor, landlord, or insurance company may also ask for it to verify your identity in their records.

Do not provide your SSN over the phone unless you initiated the call and you are certain you are speaking to a legitimate organization. Do not carry your Social Security card in your wallet. Do not post your number on social media or in emails. If you suspect your number has been stolen, contact the Social Security Administration and the Federal Trade Commission when ready.

What Happens If You Lose Your Card

Losing your Social Security card is not an emergency — the card itself is just a piece of paper with your number printed on it. You do not need the physical card to work or to file taxes. Your employer only needs your number, not the card.

If you lose your card and want a replacement, visit your local Social Security office or request one online. You will need to prove your identity and citizenship. The replacement card is free and arrives by mail within two weeks. You can request up to three replacement cards in a year and ten in your lifetime.

If you lose your card and suspect someone else may have found it, contact the Social Security Administration to report it. This does not change your number, but it creates a record in case fraudulent activity occurs later.

Social Security Numbers and Immigration Status

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you can still get an SSN if you have a work visa, green card, or employment authorization. The number is issued so your employer can report your wages to the government and so you can file taxes. Having an SSN does not change your immigration status.

If you are in the U.S. without authorization, you cannot get an SSN through the Social Security Administration. However, the IRS issues Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to people who cannot get an SSN but need to file taxes. An ITIN is a nine-digit number that looks like an SSN but starts with 9. It is used only for tax purposes and does not authorize you to work.

If your immigration status changes — for example, if you become a permanent resident or citizen — you can explore for an SSN at that time. Bring your new immigration documents to your local Social Security office.

Checking Your Earnings Record

The Social Security Administration maintains an official record of your earnings under your SSN. This record is used to calculate your retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. You should check it periodically to make sure it is accurate.

You can view your earnings record by creating an account on the Social Security Administration website. You will need to verify your identity using information from your credit report or by uploading documents. Once you log in, you can see a year-by-year breakdown of your reported earnings and the taxes you paid.

If you notice an error — for example, earnings that should have been reported under your name but were not — contact the Social Security Administration as soon as possible. Errors can reduce your benefits. The agency can correct errors that occurred within a certain timeframe, though the exact rules depend on when the error happened.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Social Security Number?

The Social Security Administration can issue you a new number, but only in limited circumstances — for example, if you can document that someone is using your number fraudulently or if you have religious or cultural objections to your current number. You cannot change your number straightforward because you want a different one. If you do receive a new number, your old earnings record does not automatically transfer, so contact the Social Security Administration to may support your work history is preserved.

Do I need my Social Security card to work?

No. Your employer needs your Social Security Number, but not the physical card. You can provide your number verbally or in writing. The card is just a document that shows your number. Many people keep their card at home rather than carrying it in their wallet.

What if I was born before Social Security Numbers existed?

Social Security Numbers have been issued since 1936, so nearly all people born in the U.S. have one. If you were born before 1936 and never received a number, you can request one at your local Social Security office. Bring proof of age, citizenship, and identity.

Can my child have a Social Security Number?

Yes. You can request an SSN for your child at birth, or at any time after. You will need to provide proof of the child's age, citizenship, and identity, plus your own identity documents. Many parents request an SSN at birth so they can claim the child as a dependent on their tax return.

What should I do if my Social Security Number is stolen?

Contact the Social Security Administration to report it, then contact the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. Monitor your credit report for fraudulent accounts. You may also want to place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the credit bureaus. The Social Security Administration and FTC websites have detailed steps for responding to identity theft.