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The Curious Bag
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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.
Applying
First-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-Citizens
Non-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.
Types
The Social Security Administration issues three types of cards: those to legal US citizens, one for employment only and one for non-employment. All of these are applied for using the SS-5 form.
Applying for a Replacement
People who have lost their Social Security card may order a replacement, but this requires one identifying document, and proof of citizenship for immigrants.
Warning
Anybody who applies for a Social Security card must supply original documents or copies of the original verified by the original holder (See References 1; Page 2).
Source:
Social Security Administration: SS-5 (PDF)
Social Security Online: Types of Social Security Cards
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