Social Security Numbers (SSNs)

Required Documents

When applying for a SSN, F-1 students will need to bring the following documents to the Social Security Administration office. 

1. Original passport
2. Original visa (except citizens of Canada and Bermuda)
3. Most recent I-20 (if provided electronically, it must be printed)
4. I-94 (Can be printed from the Customs and Border Protection I-94 website)
5. Completed SS-5 form
6. Additional document(s) depending on basis of SSN application:
   • If applying for an SSN based on Curricular Practical Training:
     • Original SEVIS I-20 annotated for CPT on page 2.
     • Note: Can apply as early as 30 days before the CPT start date listed on the I-20.
   • If applying for an SSN based on approval for Optional Practical Training, employment with an international organization, or employment for severe economic hardship:
     • Employment authorization document (EAD)
     • Note: Can apply for an SSN on or after the start date printed on the EAD.
   • If applying for a SSN based on On-Campus Employment:
     • Original offer letter from on-campus employer or service-fellowship provider
       • See below for letter requirements.
     • SSN support letter from ISSS
       • Request the letter by completing the Social Security Letter Request e-form found under "F-1 Student Services" in ISSS Link.
       • Obtain the original letter containing a wet signature from ISSS.
     • Note: Can apply for the SSN as early as 30 days before the employment start date as listed on the offer letter.

On-Campus Employment

• Students must provide the on-campus employer/service-fellowship provider with the letter template. Download a template letter.
• The employer will need to provide the student with an original letter containing a "wet signature" before they apply for the SSN.
• The letter must be printed on Emory letterhead/official stationary.
• The letter must include the following to be accepted by SSA:
  • Date letter was created
  • Student's full legal name (as listed in passport)
  • Name of Emory hiring department
  • Position Title
  • Work location (the full street address including city, state and zip code where the student will work on-campus)
  • Start date (must be within 30 days from the SSN application date)
  • End date (cannot be beyond the student's I-20 end date)
  • Wage information (hourly pay or monthly/semesterly stipend)
  • Work hours per week (Note: if the employment will take place when class is in session, the number of hours per week cannot exceed 20 hours per week)
  • Hiring manager's original signature (electronic signatures may not be accepted by SSA)

Required Documents

When applying for a SSN, J-1 students will need to bring the following documents to the Social Security Administration office. 

1. Original passport
2. Original visa (except citizens of Canada and Bermuda)
3. Most recent DS-2019 (if provided electronically, it must be printed)
4. I-94 (Can be printed from the Customs and Border Protection I-94 website)
5. Completed SS-5 form
6. Additional document(s) depending on basis of SSN application:
   • If applying for an SSN based on On-Campus Employment:
     • Signed employment offer letter Download a template letter.
     • J-1 student on-campus employment authorization letter from ISSS
       • Provided to the student after completing the J-1 on-campus employment authorization process.
   • If applying for an SSN based on Academic Training (AT):
     • AT authorization letter from ISSS
       • Provided to the student after completing the AT request process. 

Required Documents

When applying for a SSN, J-1 scholars will need to bring the following documents to the Social Security Administration office. 

• Original passport
• Original visa (except citizens of Canada and Bermuda)
• Most recent DS-2019 (if provided electronically, it must be printed)
• I-94 (Can be printed from the Customs and Border Protection I-94 website)
• Completed SS-5 form
• Invitation letter provided to the J-1 scholar by their Emory host department (if being paid by Emory) 

Note:  If a J-1 scholar is not being paid by Emory, they do not need to apply for an SSN.

Required Documents

When applying for a SSN, scholars will need to bring the following documents to the Social Security Administration office.

• Original passport
• Original visa (except citizens of Canada and Bermuda)
• Most recent I-797 approval notice (if applicable)
  • Note: It is rare for TN and E-3 scholars to have an I-797. These scholars would only have an I-797 if an application was filed with USCIS.
• I-94 (Can be printed from the Customs and Border Protection I-94 website)
• Completed SS-5 form
• Employment offer letter/appointment letter

• F and J visa holders must have active SEVIS immigration records when they apply for an SSN.
• If a student or scholar applies for an SSN before their record is active, the SSN application will be rejected, and they will need to reapply.
• SEVIS Activation Procedures:
  • F-1 and J-1 Students
    • New Emory students must complete the "International Student Check-in" e-form in ISSS Link to have ISSS activate their SEVIS record.
    • Once the student receives an email from ISSS letting them know their e-form was approved and their immigration record is active in SEVIS, it is suggested the student wait 5 business days before applying for an SSN.
  • J-1 Scholars
    • New J-1 scholars must complete the "J-1 New Scholar Arrival" e-form in ISSS Link to have ISSS activate their SEVIS record.
    • Once the scholar receives an email from ISSS letting them know that their e-form was approved and their immigration record is active in SEVIS, it is suggested the scholar wait 5 business days before applying for an SSN. 

Application Process

• Schedule an appointment with a Social Security Administration (SSA) office (see below for list of local offices).  
• Bring the required documents to the SSA office on the day of the appointment.
• If the application is approved, the SSA will mail the social security card to the applicant. This usually takes about two weeks.
• If working for Emory:
  • Email nonresident.tax@emory.edu to let them know the SSN was received and await further instructions.
  • Do not send the number or a copy of the card via email. 

SSA Offices Close to Emory

• Decatur Office: 3554 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30032
• Downtown Atlanta Office: 401 W. Peachtree Street NW, Suite 2860, Fl. 28th, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Norcross Office: 4365 Shackleford Road, Norcross, GA 30093

To locate other SSA offices in the Atlanta area, use SSA's Social Security Office Locator.

On-Campus SSA Appointment Eligibility

Students can only sign up for an on-campus social security appointment if they:

1. Will receive a stipend from Emory based on services the student is providing;
2. Have an on-campus jobs; or
3. Need a social security letter of ineligibility (denial letter) to apply for a Georgia driver's license/state ID or ITIN.

On-Campus Application Process

Before meeting with an SSA representative on-campus, follow the steps below:

All Students

1. Complete the Online Service To Obtain a Social Security Number Card to register with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
   • Complete the online registration form to provide the SSA with the student's biographical information and upload copies of their documents.
   • Do not proceed to the appointment selection screens.
   • Once the student has completed the online registration, a code will appear.
   • The student should take a picture/screenshot of the code or print the confirmation page and bring it to their appointment.
2. Complete, print, and sign SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card).
3. Bring the signed SS-5 form and other required documents to the appointment.

F-1 Students Only

1. Obtain an offer letter from the on-campus employer or service fellowship provider.
   • To ensure that the letter meets the SSA requirements, students should provide their on-campus employer with template letter. Download a template letter.
   • The signature from the employer on the offer letter must be an original wet signature.
   • Electronic signatures will not be accepted by the SSA.
   • See the "Required Documents: F-1 Students" section above for more offer letter requirements.
      
2. Obtain an SSN support letter from ISSS by completing the Social Security Letter Request e-form found under the F-1 Student Services in ISSS Link.
   • It is HIGHLY recommended that students submit the e-form at least five business days prior to their appointment to give ISSS time to process the request. 
      
3. Gather all required documents and bring them to the appointment
   • The SSA officers must see originals of the following documents and will bring photocopies back to their office for each student's file.
   • Thus, students must bring their original documents and a photocopy of the following:
     • Passport
     • F-1 visa stamp in the passport (if applicable)
     • I-20 (page 1 and 2)
       • Students must sign the I-20 with ink before making a photocopy of pages 1 and 2.
     • I-94 (Can be printed from the Customs and Border Protection I-94 website)
     • On-campus employment offer letter using the ISSS template
     • ISSS SSN support letter
        

J-1 Students Only

1. Obtain an on-campus employment authorization letter from ISSS by completing the On-Campus Employment Authorization e-form found under the J-1 Student Services tab in ISSS Link.
   • It is HIGHLY recommended that students submit the e-form at least 10 business days prior to their appointment.
      
2. Gather all required documents and bring them to the appointment
   • The SSA officers must see originals of the following documents and will bring photocopies back to their office for each student's file.
   • Thus, students must bring their original documents and a photocopy of the following:
     • Passport
     • J-1 visa stamp in passport (if applicable)
     • DS-2019 (page 1 only)
       • Students must sign the DS-2019 with ink before making a photocopy.
     • I-94 (Can be printed from the Customs and Border Protection I-94 website)
     • On-campus employment authorization letter from ISSS

• Social Security Administration Resources:
  • International Students and Social Security Numbers
  • Form SS-5: Application for a Social Security Card
  • Social Security Office Locator
• Student On-Campus Employment Offer Letter: Download a template letter.
• Print an I-94 from Customs and Border Protection I-94 website.
• ISSS Resources
  • Driver's Licenses
  • ITINs
  • Student On-Campus Employment
  • ISSS Link

No. The SSN is not work authorization in itself.

If a student or scholar is working for Emory, they can begin working while they wait for the SSN card to arrive in the mail. 

Students who have been given off-campus work authorization will need to discuss the matter with their employer. Some employers have internal policies that require a new employee have an SSN prior to beginning employment (i.e. for a background check, etc.). 

However, federal law does not prohibit the hiring of a person based solely on the fact that the person does not have an SSN. Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Delays in issuing SSNs to aliens by the Social Security Administration webpage for more information.

An Emory ID number is not a social security number. Students/scholars don't need to change their Emory ID number after receiving their SSN.

No, but before applying for a Georgia's driver's license or state ID, students/scholars/dependents will need to apply for a Social Security Letter of Ineligibility (also known as a denial letter or Form SSA-L 676) if they are not eligible for an SSN. The SSA issues letters of ineligibility at the time of application. Visit ISSS' Driver's Licenses page for more information.

Applicants should receive their social security card in about 2-4 weeks.

1. Memorize the social security number (recommended)
2. Keep it in a safe place with personal records. Do not carry it in a wallet.
3. If working for Emory:
   • Email nonresident.tax@emory.edu to let them know the SSN was received and await further instructions.
   • Do not send the number or a copy of the card via email. 

No, students and scholars should only receive one SSN. The SSN is for life, and it never expires regardless of time out of the US or a change in immigration status.