Social Security Number (SSN) & ITIN

Who can and when to apply?
How to apply?
Where to apply for an SSN?
After receiving your SSN
What to do if you are not eligible for an SSN? (ITIN)
Other SSN Resources & Forms

Anyone who works in the United States needs a Social Security number (SSN). SSN is for employment and tax purposes only. The SSN is also used to track your credit and work history. The U.S. government assigns the Social Security number and will only be assigned one SSN per lifetime. If you are eligible for a Social Security number, you need to apply for it and will receive a Social Security card with the number on it.

The Social Security card is not a work permit. You will need to receive employment authorization in order to begin employment and obtain the SSN.
A Social Security number is not required to open a bank account, get a driver’s license, rent an apartment or get a cell phone. Many vendors will allow you to substitute your student ID number or use other verification to obtain their services.

Visit the Social Security Administration’s website for more information: https://www.ssa.gov/ or https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf

Who can and when to apply?

Who? Visa/Employment Type	Eligible?	When?
New/Initial Student & Scholar	Yes (usually on campus employment or Graduate Assistantships for students)	Must have checked-in with ISSS, have been in the US at least 10 days.
F-1 On Campus Employment (including Graduate Assistantships)	Yes	Earliest is 30 days before employment begins.
F-1 CPT	Yes	Earliest is 30 days before employment begins. Must have CPT authorization on I-20.
F-1 OPT	Yes	It is possible to apply for SSN and the OPT EAD at the same time, the I-765 EAD application form. If you did not choose this option when apply for OPT, you can apply once you received EAD card and start date on EAD card is reached.
F-1 No Employment	Not eligible
F-2	Not eligible
J-1 Students and Student Interns – On Campus Employment	Yes	Earliest is 30 days before employment begins as indicated on DS-2019 with employment authorization
J-1 Students Academic Training (AT)	Yes	Earliest is 30 days before AT begins. Must have AT authorization on DS-2019
J-1 Scholar	Yes	Must have checked in with ISSS AND have been in the US at least 10 days
J-2	Yes, only if you have an EAD	Once you have work authorization via EAD card and the start date on EAD card is reached

How to apply?

To apply for a Social Security number, you must complete an online application form, appear in person at the Social Security Administration Office, and provide original supporting documents to verify your age, identity, and lawful status.

Step 1: If you are a new/initial student or scholar on a document issued by Vanderbilt, you must complete your SEVIS check in with ISSS first and have been present in the United States for 10 business days.

Step 2: If you are an F-1/J-1 student with on-campus employment, whose I-20/DS-2019 was issued by Vanderbilt, you will need to request a Social Security support letter from the ISSS office before you can apply for your SSN.

Submit the Social Security Letter Request on the ISSS Portal under General Forms Upload along with completed and signed Social Security support letter form. The SSN letter request form requires a signature from your immediate supervisor in your hiring department. ISSS will review and contact you after you submit the request if we need any further details from you. Otherwise, we will return back your letter within 3-5 business days upon receipt. Please review the request in the ISSS portal for further instructions
If your DS-2019 was issued by IIE, Fulbright, or another sponsor, please contact your sponsor for a letter. ISSS cannot provide an SSN support letter for you, since we do not maintain your SEVIS record.

Step 3: Fill out the online application for an SSN on the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s website. On the application, you can schedule an appointment. On the day of your appointment, you will need to go in-person to the local SSA. (The local SSA does not accept walk-ins at this time.) Please bring the following documents with you:

Receipt from your online application
Valid passport
Valid I-94 (retrieve I-94)
Valid status document
- Most current I-20 (F-1 Students only)
- Most current DS-2019 (J-1 Exchange Visitors only)
Letter of employment:
- Social Security Support Letter (Vanderbilt students only)
- Invitation or Appointment Letter (J-1 Scholars only)

*For Peabody students applying for a Teaching License, should also take a copy of the Teaching License application as proof of need for an SSN.

Tips for completing SSN application

Mother’s Maiden Name –application is asking for your mother’s name before marriage (if different)
Mailing Address – Place that you are currently living in Nashville. If you are on OPT and not in Nashville, you should use the address where you are currently living.
- The U.S. Post Office will not forward Social Security Cards or deliver them to you at another person’s address. You should not use care of (C/O) addresses!
- If you do not have residence in Nashville yet, it is best to wait to apply for card when you have one. If you are planning to move soon, you may want to wait until you have more of permanent addres

Where to apply?

You will need to apply for your SSN physically at your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. If you live in Nashville, details for the local SSA office are listed below.

The local SSA office:

Address: 120 Athens Way, Nashville, TN 37228
Phone Number: 877-808-5461
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday- Closed.

Directions to SSA office

By Car

From Vanderbilt, take 21^st Avenue south away from downtown.
Turn the 2^nd left onto Broadway.
Turn left at George L Davis Blvd (signs for I-40/I-65).
Take the ramp on the left onto I-40 W/I-65 N. Continue to follow I-65 N.
Take exit 85 for 8th Ave/US Hwy 41 Alt toward State Capitol/Metro Center Blvd.
Turn left at Metrocenter Blvd.
Turn right at Athens Way.
Social Security is the last building on the right.

By Bus (WeGo Public Transit)

Visit the WeGo website for more information: https://www.wegotransit.com/ – you can provide the address in the Trip Planner feature to plan your trip and view the bus route needed.

After receiving your SSN

You will need to update your employment information (I-9) with your employer and provide copy of your SSN card to your employer’s HR office. Make sure that you Do not mail or email a copy of your card to your employer.

For Students:

You MUST FIRST take your SSN card to the Registrar’s Office located in the Baker Building (110 21^st S.) Suite 110 and to
Human Resources and International Tax Office located in Baker Building (110 21^st S) on 10^th Floor to update your I-9. Please note: Human Resources and International Tax Office are currently remote. Please update your Glacier record with your SSN and provide your revised Glacier documents securely via OneDrive, Google Drive or Box.

*If you fail to take your SSN card to Registrar’s Office first, you may have problems with your VUNETID.

If your employer is not Vanderbilt University, make sure you contact your employer’s Human Resources office to provide copy of your SSN card to update your I-9.

For Scholars:

You should provide copy to your Department and to
Human Resources and International Tax Office located in Baker Building (110 21^st S) on 10^th Floor to update your I-9. Please note: Human Resources and International Tax Office are currently remote. Please update your Glacier record with your SSN and provide your revised Glacier documents along with a copy of your SSN card securely via OneDrive, Google Drive or Box.

It is important that you keep your SSN information private, except when needed to disclose for official purposes. Keep your card in a safe and secure place. Do not share your SSN over the phone with individuals you do not know or through email as SSN is a unique ID and is often target of “identity theft”.

What to do if you are not eligible for an SSN? (ITIN)

If you are not eligible for an SSN, you could apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) if needed. ITIN is a nine-digit number assigned to an individual who is not eligible for an SSN but is required to have an ITIN for some U.S. payment or tax reporting purpose. Keep in mind that ITIN is not an SSN and cannot be used for employment purposes.