A Social Security Number (SSN) is a tax identification number issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to individuals in the U.S. who have employment authorization.  The SSN is issued for life.

Generally, only non-citizens who are authorized to work in the U.S. by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can obtain the SSN.  The SSN is used to report an individual’s wages to the government and to determine a person’s eligibility for Social Security benefits.

Please keep in mind that it is very important to keep the Social Security Number secure and to avoid scams. A lost or compromised Social Security Number can lead to identity theft. Additional information about scams and identity theft can be found below in Item 10.

Individuals admitted to the U.S., to work or study at Princeton, in the following immigration classifications:

• F-1 or J-1 student with on-campus employment
  • Can apply 30 days before employment start date
• F-1 student with CPT 
  • Can apply 30 days before employment start date
• F-1 students with OPT 
  • Can apply with valid EAD 
  • Can apply at the time of Form I-765 submission
• J-1 student with Academic Training
  • Can apply 30 days before employment start date
• J-1 Scholar, H-1B, O-1, or TN status holder
• J-2, G-4, H-4, or L-2 status holder with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

NOTE: Individuals holding F-2 visa status are not eligible for employment in the U.S. nor an SSN.

To apply for a Social Security Number you must schedule an appointment and appear in person at an SSA location.  The Davis IC recommends applying at the Trenton, NJ office listed below, as we work closely with this particular office. Other SSA locations may require additional documentation.

NOTE: F-1 and J-1 applicants should wait at least 10 days following the registration/validation of their SEVIS record by Davis IC after check-in/arrival to apply for the SSN. Earlier applications risk delays and/or the SSA not yet being able to validate your status. Please reach out to your assigned advisor if you have any questions. 

You must present the following items:

• Completed Social Security Number application form (SS-5).  
  • Go to www.ssa.gov/number-card to start the process online and schedule an appointment. After you have completed the online application, you then must present the documents below to the local Social Security office within 45 days. You must schedule an appointment to visit the office at a specific date and time, after you’ve entered all your information. The SSA no longer accepts walk-in applications.
• Your valid passport 
• Print out of your I-94 admission record.
• Immigration status specific documents:
  • F-1 status:
    • Your original Form I-20. Electronically sent I-20s become original once the student has printed and physically signed the document. (NOTE: F-1 students with CPT approval may apply no earlier than 30 days prior to their CPT start date.)
    • F-1 students with OPT approval must submit their EAD or apply for an SSN at the time of I-765 application. SSA will not process your application if the employment start date on the EAD has a future date.
  • J-1 status:
    • Your original Form DS-2019. Electronically sent DS-2019s become original once the student/scholar has printed and physically signed the document. 
  • H-1B status:
    • Your H-1B approval notice (I-797).
  • J-2 status:
    • The EAD issued by USCIS.
• Employment Verification, if employed by Princeton University
  • Undergraduate and Graduate Students working on-campus need an Evidence of Employment letter (see #4).
  • Scholars/Employees may want to bring their appointment letter, although it is not required. (see #4 for instructions to obtain a copy if needed)
• Enrolled Student Status Verification Letter issued by the Davis IC. (Students with On-Campus Employment ONLY)
  • You will be required to upload a PDF scan of your original employment verification letter with original signature from your on-campus employer. Do not submit your request to the Davis IC until you have received your employment verification letter from your on-campus employer. 
  • To submit your request, go to TigerNav. Click “Login.” Use your university netid and password. In the left-hand column, click “Student Services” and then “SSN Student Document Request”. Click “Start a New Request” and complete/submit the form. After submission, you will receive additional instructions on next steps. Processing time is five (5) business days from receipt of a complete submission. Incomplete submissions will result in a delay in processing.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS who have on-campus employment should reach out to the Student Employment Office in Financial Aid to request an Evidence of Employment Letter.  This letter must be physically signed by the Student Employment Office. At the time of application, the letter of employment may be no older than 3 months.              

GRADUATE STUDENTS who have an on-campus employment position must obtain an employment letter for social security purposes from your department or other on-campus employer. Your employer can reference this suggested sample employment letter. This letter must be physically signed by your on-campus employer. At the time of application, the letter of employment may be no older than 3 months.

FULBRIGHT STUDENTS should reach out to their IIE, AMIDEAST, or LASPAU program officer for letters related to the SSN.

SCHOLARS should present your appointment letter. If you do not have it, request a copy through your self-service portal. You may be asked to submit a copy of your appointment letter to the SSA with the other required documents as listed above. 

Social Security Administration locations are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To find your local office, go to www.ssa.gov/locator, select Locate an Office by ZIP, enter your ZIP Code, and select Locate.  

The nearest SSA to Princeton University is:

635 South Clinton Avenue 
Trenton, New Jersey 08611 (in the Roebling Market)
(Entrance to the office is on Elmer Street) 

Directions by Train
Take the Dinky train from Princeton to Princeton Junction. At Princeton Junction switch to the New Jersey Transit southbound/outbound train (New York to Trenton) to Trenton. Get off at the Trenton Rail Station (second stop). Exit the Trenton station following the signs for Clinton Avenue and then turn left across the (metal) bridge to go down South Clinton. Walk along South Clinton Avenue for approximately 10 minutes. At Elmer Street, turn right. The Social Security Administration is just behind the “Beauty Mart” which is in the Roebling Market shopping center on Elmer Street. 

If you prefer not to walk from the train station to the Social Security office, at the Trenton Rail Station you can take the Route 601 bus to the stop at Roebling and Chambers. Look for Elmer Street. The entrance to the office is on Elmer Street. 

Train fare to Trenton is typically $6.25 each way. Approximate time to Trenton is 30-35 minutes. 

Directions by Bus 
Take the New Jersey Transit bus Route 606 to the Trenton Rail Station and either walk from there or transfer to the Route 601 bus at the Trenton Rail Station. The Route 606 bus runs from the Princeton Shopping Center on North Harrison Street, along Nassau Street, then south on U.S. 206 to downtown Trenton. To take the 606 to Trenton, wait at the Palmer Square kiosk. The bus runs twice an hour between 8 am and 6 pm on weekdays, once per hour before and after that. The schedule is posted on the kiosk but in general departures are at :25 and :55 in the middle of the day, Monday through Friday. Tell the bus driver you need to transfer to the Route 601 bus. You will need to get off at the Trenton Rail Station and either walk or take the Route 601 bus to the stop at Roebling and Chambers. From the Trenton Rail Station, walk straight across the railway bridge along South Clinton Avenue for approximately 10 minutes. At Elmer Street, turn right. The Social Security Administration is just behind the “Beauty Mart” which is in the Roebling Market shopping center on Elmer Street. 

Bus fare to Trenton is typically $2.55 each way with the exact amount required. Approximate time to downtown Trenton is 35-40 minutes. 

Directions by Car
Take Route 1 south past the Nassau Park and Quakerbridge Mall areas towards Trenton. Remain right onto Route 129 South. From Route 129 South turn right onto South Broad Street. Turn right onto Hamilton Street, then turn right onto South Clinton Avenue and then right onto Elmer Street. You may park in the Shopping Center on the left.  The office is at the end of Elmer Street. 

When you enter the office for your appointment, you will need to check in at the kiosk and wait for your number to be called. Be sure to have all of your documents in order. When your number is called, go to the assigned window. After you submit your application, you should request a receipt for your application. It may take 4-6 weeks for the SSA to issue you a number and mail you the Social Security card.  If there are any problems, tracking your application will be easier if you have a receipt.  If you do not receive a number within 8 weeks, please contact the SSA office to check on the status of your application. 

Name:  You must use your name exactly as it appears in your passport and other immigration documents. Do not use a nickname or an English version of your name. Should you marry, you can use a married name if the passport has been updated.

Address:  You must provide a complete local address on the application. This is the address to which your social security card will be mailed. An inaccurate or incomplete address may result in a lost Social Security card that cannot be delivered by mail.

Citizenship: You should check the box 'legal alien allowed to work"   

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS
Application for a Social Security card (SS-5 Form) 

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is issued to individuals in the U.S. who do not qualify for a SSN but who need an identification number for tax filing purposes. The IRS issues the ITIN to help individuals comply with the U.S. tax laws, and to provide a means to process and account for tax returns and payments. The ITIN cannot be used for employment or for any purpose other than filing taxes.

Students who are ineligible for the SSN, and are from countries that have tax treaties with the U.S., should apply for an ITIN if you have a grant/scholarship in your financial aid award and your treaty excludes "Service Income" (work) or "Scholarship/Fellowship" (grants).

Students may apply for an ITIN by either:

1. Scheduling an appointment with Princeton’s Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA):
   1. To schedule an ITIN application appointment, please use the following link : Microsoft Bookings- Aarifa Mohammed
2. Visiting the Tax Assistance Center (TAC) in Trenton:
   1. Students should request ITIN supporting letters through [email protected]
   2. Schedule an appointment with the TAC by calling: 1-844-545-5640
   3. Visit the TAC on the day of the appointment: One State St. Square, 50 West State St. Trenton, NJ 08608

Per SEVP guidance, a Form I-20 that has been electronically signed by a DSO and sent to a student is now valid for use once the student has printed the original form and physically signed their I-20. Please reach out to us at [email protected] with any issues. 

Scams

International students and scholars continue to be targets of scams in the U.S. In a scam, a perpetrator may try to trick you to obtain personal information (such as a Social Security Number), payment, and/or try to have you meet other demands. They may even threaten action, such as deportation.

The following information is important to keep in mind to avoid a scam:

• USCIS, IRS or any other government agency will never call requesting your Social Security Number or threaten lawsuits, imprisonment, or ask for payment over the phone or in an email.
• Scammers may try to communicate with you through various channels, including but not limited to text, calls, email, and through social media.
• Use caution when securing housing as there has been reports of fraudulent realtors and landlords.
• Scammers may spoof the caller ID to make it look like a legitimate phone call.
• Do not give personal information or payment in response to an unexpected request.
• Scammers often pressure you to act immediately so that you do not have time to think. If you receive a phone call that you believe to be a scam, you should not speak to them and hang up immediately. If you are unsure if it is a scam, please contact the Davis International Center for assistance and do not provide any information to them.

You may visit USCIS’s website to see common scams as well as the Federal Trade Commission’s website for more information. The Information Security Office also has information about common scams. 

Identity Theft

Unauthorized knowledge of personal identifying information such as a Social Security Number can lead to identity theft. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal identifying information, such as your name, Social Security Number, or credit card number, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. If you suspect that you are a victim of identity theft, you should report it to Campus Public Safety or local police agency in addition to taking the applicable actions on this page.

You may also see the recorded Hands-on Tips for Preventing Identity Theft webinar by the Information Security Office for additional information as well as the Federal Trade Commission’s website.