Social Security CardsAll participants who have not previously been granted a Social Security Number must apply for a Social Security Number. To apply for your Social Security number you must first have registered with CETUSA. This is very important. Applying for the Social Security Number before registering with CETUSA, or before 10 days after arriving in the U.S. may cause a long delay in the processing of the Social Security Number. To be certain that your Social Security Number is processed quickly and smoothly you must FIRST register your U.S. living address with CETUSA, then WAIT 10 days before applying for your Social Security Number. Although you should wait 10 days, do not delay longer than 14 days. Following this advice is the best way to insure you do not encounter problems in the processing of your Social Security Number.

It is easy to find out where to apply for the Social Security Number. You may look in your local telephone book under “Social Security Administration” or call toll-free 1-800-772-1213. Or, you may go online and search for the nearest office. All you need to know is the zip code where you live. The website is: www.ssa.gov. An office locater, a Social Security Number Application, and a Social Security Fact Sheet are also available online when a student logs in to their CETUSA Account.
You need the following documents to apply for a Social Security card at a local Social Security office:Completed Social Security Number Application
Employment Offer
Form DS2019
Passport with your J-1 Visa and I-94 card
Program Sponsor Letter
Your Social Security number should be mailed to you within 4-6 weeks from the date of your application. Request a temporary certificate (Form SSA-5028) when you apply for the card. This temporary certificate has no number, but it is proof that you have applied for the card. You may be asked by your employer to show this certificate as evidence of work eligibility.
You must report your Social Security number to your employer immediately after receiving the actual number.
If you do not receive your Social Security number within 6 weeks after applying for it you should call the Social Security Administration office at 1-800-772-1213 to inquire about the status of your application. Or, you may return to the Social Security Administration office and inquire. If you are unable to resolve the problem in this way please contact the CETUSA staff.