Social Security Number for permanent residents of the United States

We welcome your intention to immigrate to the United States. When admitted to the United States based on their immigrant visa, you will be a permanent resident of the United States. Every permanent resident need a Social Security number to work in the United States, doing business with a bank or financial institution, pay taxes or be claimed on a tax return and other matters.


If you requested a Social Security number when applying for visa

If you requested a Social Security number as part of your application for a visa is 18 or more when I come to the U.S. Social Security Administration will receive the necessary information for issuing Social Security Card Department U.S. State and the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the United States.

You do not need to fill out a special application or go to a Social Security office. We will assign a number and send your Social Security card by mail to the address in the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service used to send your Permanent Resident Card.

You should receive your Social Security card three weeks after his arrival in the United States. If you do not, call us. If you change your mailing address after arrival and before receiving his Social Security card, call us. We will provide the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Department of State with the number that we assign.

If you did not request a Social Security number when you applied for your visa or you are under 18 years

If you did not request a Social Security number as part of their application for a visa or are younger than 18 years when it comes to the United States, must apply for a card at a Social Security office. When you have a permanent address where we can send your card, please call us to find out where to apply.

When you visit a Social Security office to request a Social Security card, take your passport or travel documents, the Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), if you received, and a birth certificate for each family member you are requesting a number. A Social Security representative will help you complete the application. You should receive your card about two weeks after we have all the information necessary to process your order. It may take longer if we need to verify a document with the agency that issued the document.

Additional information

We do not charge fees for assigning a Social Security number or a Social Security card. If you lose your Social Security card, will replace it free. We suggest you keep your card in a safe location as you would any important document.

All information provided by you to obtain a Social Security number is kept strictly confidential and not disclosed except as provided under the law. For example, we may share information with other government agencies as permitted under the Privacy Act. For more information about this, please contact us.

In the United States, you can call the number on your Social Security office listed in your local phone book under "U.S. Government" or Social Security toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213.

You can also locate the office nearest Social Security in the Internet at www.socialsecurity.gov, (only available in English). If you wish to contact us before coming to the United States, we receive assistance from the embassies and U.S. consulates throughout the world. In the Philippines received assistance from the Regional Office of Veterans Affairs in Manila.