Who Can Apply for a Social Security Card?
Social Security cards give people the right to apply for employment and receive benefits from the Social Security program. Anyone may apply for a Social Security card who is a U.S. citizen or has a reason to be in the country.ApplyingFirst-time applicants need to furnish at least two forms of identification, with one always being a birth certificate, or an acceptable substitute such as a passport and adoption papers.Non-CitizensNon-citizens may receive a Social Security card if they are authorized to work by the Department of Homeland Security. Those not authorized by the DHS must explain why they need a SS number.TypesThe Social Security Administration issues three types of cards: those to legal US citizens, one for employment only and one for non-employment.