Social Security Card for Adults

When applying for a Social Security card for adult of U.S. citizenship, born in the U.S., the applicant will need to provide original and current documents or certified copies of documents from their corresponding agency. All documentation must be current and not expired. According to the Social Security Administration, at least two individual documents will be needed to verify the applicant’s status in the following three areas; citizenship, age and identity. Application Filing Service is here to make this process as easy as possible with our online filing assistant. We are not affiliated with the SSA in any way and they offer free forms and assistance by visiting them directly.

Citizenship: U.S. birth certificate or a U.S. passport are accepted as required documentation to provide proof of U.S. citizenship.

A U.S. birth certificate can be acquired through the county clerk’s office in the U.S. county where the applicant was born. These records can be requested by any individual listed on the birth certificate.

A U.S. passport can be applied for in person at designated U.S. offices or by mail. Mail in applications can be picked up at local U.S. post offices. Keep in mind, if you do not already own a U.S. passport, a birth certificate may be easier to obtain quickly, as it can take up to 6 weeks before the passport is mailed to you.

Age: The standard required document for proof of age is a U.S. birth certificate. If no birth certificate exists for the applicant then a U.S. passport would be accepted. In lieu of a passport, record of birth from a U.S. hospital would be accepted; as well as any religious documents that precede age five. Religious or baptism certificates must list the individual’s date of birth.

When applying for a Social Security card for adult who has never had a Social Security card before and need a Social Security number for the first time, they will be required to apply in person to verify that they have never had a Social Security number before. All persons older than 12 and applying for the first time will be required to apply in this manner.

For individuals who have grown up in the U.S., the interviewer may require further proof that the individual has never held a Social Security number. They may request school or employment documents for present or previous schools and places of employment. Or they may request past tax records.

If the applicant has not applied for a Social Security card before due to residing outside of the U.S. then the same documents would be required from the out of country schools and employers.

Identity: Acceptable forms of documentation for proof of identity are a valid and unexpired; U.S. passport, U.S. driver’s license or a state issued identification card.

The purpose of these forms of identification are to provide the applicant’s name, photo and birthday. If the former mentioned identification is not obtainable, then the following forms will be accepted; employee, school or U.S. military identifications cards, as well as health insurance cards that are not from Medicare.