A Social Security Number (SSN) is a U.S. Federal Government number issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The number is used to keep a record of an individual's earnings for the purpose of government retirement and disability programs.

It is also used for tax reporting purposes. All non-immigrants who will earn income in the United States must obtain a number for the employer to properly report earnings and tax withholdings. Visit http://www.ssa.gov/ for additional information.

When should I apply for a Social Security Number?
Because the SSA must verify your non-immigrant status with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Division of International Services (DIS) recommends that you wait to apply until 3 days AFTER your arrival to the United States.

IMPORTANT: If you apply sooner, the SSA will be unable to verify your status (because the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not entered your name in its database) and issuance of the number may take months. 

How to I apply for a Social Security Number?
You will need to complete an application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5) and must visit a local SSA office with the application and documents that prove your age, identity and lawful non-immigrant status.

What documents do I need to apply for a Social Security Number?

 
1) You will need the Form SS-5. The form can be obtained at a local SSA office or available online at: http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/.

*NOTE: When completing the form, clearly write your name as it appears on your passport. Do not use a shortened version of your name or a "nickname" on the application form.

2) You will need evidence of your age, identity and lawful non-immigrant status

             Age:    Original Birth Certificate or valid Passport

                        Birth Certificate options:
                        Expired passport 
                                                OR
                        Religious record made before you were three (3)
                        months of age

                                                OR
                        Original hospital record of birth made before the age of
                        five (5)

       Identity:   Valid Passport (note: it is helpful to bring an expired
                        passport if your current passport was issued less than 

                        one (1) year ago).

Lawful non-immigrant status:

                        Printout of Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (access 
                        record at www.cbp.gov/I94
                                               AND
                        Original Form DS-2019, if J-1 Exchange Visitor
                                                OR
                        Original Form I-797 approval notice, if applicable (for 

                        example, J-2 or F-1 Practical Training)

     In addition: Copy of your NIH award, appointment or assignment
                         letter

NOTE: It is important that your name appears consistently as per your passport, Form I-94, and immigration document (for example, Form DS-2019). Please alert the DIS if there are errors on your name. When applying for the SSN, your name must match how it appears on these documents.

Where do I apply for the Social Security Number?
There are many SSA offices in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. We recommend that you apply at the office nearest to the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland. This office is located at:

Yes! Bring or mail a copy of your SSN card to the DIS

IMPORTANT: Do *not* fax or e-mail this number. You must safeguard this number at all times, as it is often targeted for identity theft. Do not disclose this number (or any personal details) without verifying the source. For further details on identity theft, go to: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/.

 

Click here to view the complete DIS fact sheet, including directions to the Rockville, MD SSA office, a listing of cities and zip codes near various NIH facilities located in the metropolitan area as well as throughout the United States, and information about dependents applying for a Social Security Number.

The Division of International Services (DIS) is located on the NIH Bethesda campus in Building 31, Room B2B07, Bethesda, MD 20892. Visit the DIS website at: http://www.ors.od.nih.gov/pes/dis/Pages/default.aspx.

Helpful Tips

ICs that want to add Lifecycle Work Station (LWS) operators to the approved roster -- send a written request to Richie Taffet at: [email protected]. Your request should include:  

• the new operator's name
• his/her Institute or Center (IC)
• his/her NED number
• the operator's e-mail address, building/room and phone number
• the hours of operation of the Lifecycle Work Station

Once Mr. Taffet has approved the request, he will forward the name(s) to [email protected] to complete the approval process, add the name(s) to the LWS operator roster, and inform the IC that the individual is now approved to operate the LWS.

Need to make changes to the LWS operator directories? -- drop an e-mail to Lanny Newman, [email protected], and let him know what needs changing (e.g., adding new operators or LWS locations, removing operators, etc.). Remember, before a new operator can be added to the LWS directory, s/he must first be approved by Richie Taffet (see preceding Helpful Tip).

If an LWS is not available in your IC or your immediate area, and you work in the greater Bethesda or Rockville area -- please call 301-402-9755 to schedule an appointment with DPSAC, located in Building 31, Room 1B03 or in Building 10, South Lobby, Room 1C52.

If you work outside the Bethesda/Rockville area, contact your local badge issuance office. You can find contact information for all badge issuance offices at: http://www.ors.od.nih.gov/ser/dpsac/Pages/contactinfo.aspx.

Know someone who should be reading DPSAC News? -- have the person contact Lanny Newman, [email protected], and ask to be put on the mailing list.