Social Security Information

The primary purpose of the Social Security Number (SSN) is to track individuals for taxation purposes. It is not intended to be used for identification purposes and cannot be used as work authorization.

Per current legislation, SSNs can only be issued to someone who meets either of the following criteria:

• Is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States
• Has a valid job offer and is eligible for legal employment.

The SSN is required for all individuals who are employed in the United States.

The SSN is valid for life, so you only need to apply once. Even if you change employers or leave the U.S., this number remains your number.  If you lose your SSN Card and need to apply for a replacement card, you must prove that you were employed in the United States at the time of your application.

You do not need an SSN to register for classes at Middlebury, to get a driver’s license, to open a bank account, to obtain a cell phone, or to rent a place to live.

Find more information about the SSN at the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Eligibility

• F-1 Students are eligible to obtain a SSN if they are in valid F-1 status and have been offered an on-campus job, or they have been authorized for off-campus employment (Curricular or Optional Practical Training).
• F-2 Dependents are not eligible to obtain a SSN because they cannot be employed.
• J-1 Students are eligible to obtain a SSN if they are in valid J-1 status and have been offered an on-campus job, or have been authorized for off-campus employment (Academic Training).
• J-1 Visiting Scholars are eligible to obtain a SSN if they are in valid J-1 status and have evidence of employment in the U.S.
• J-2 Dependents are eligible to obtain a SSN if they have received J-2 work authorization from USCIS.

• H-1B Temporary Workers are eligible to obtain a SSN if they are in valid H-1B status.

  If not eligible for a SSN, but may have a tax filing obligation, please refer to Tax Information. 

Applying for a Social Security Number (SSN)

Step 1: Apply

Note: You can apply for a Social Security number no more than 14 days prior to the start of your employment or as soon as possible after the start date of your employment.

There are specific guidelines and procedures that international students and scholars must follow when applying for a Social Security number from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Read below for more information on how the application process works.

To apply for your SSN, you will need the following documents:

Please note, it is recommended that you first obtain all of your supporting documentation prior to filling out the hard copy or online SSN application forms.

• Completed initial online application: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/start.html
  • You must go to the SSA office within 45 days of completing the online application and you will still be required to bring the original, paper version supplemental documents listed below with you to the SSA office.  Appointments are required.
  • Be sure to save the submission number you will receive after submitting the online application to SSA.
  • For more information about this process for international students, read this pdf document issued by the SSA: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10181.pdf   

OR

• Completed/printed hard copy of SSN application 

  (Form SS-5): https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ 

AND  

• Valid passport
• Original SEVIS I-20 document (for F-1) or DS-2019 (for J-1) with a valid travel signature
• A valid I-94 record (not the travel history): this can be retrieved at www.cbp.gov/i94
• Proof of employment eligibility- see below “Process for Obtaining Proof of Employment Eligibility” for details
  • Proof of employment may include the following: job offer letter/verification of employment (VOE), supplemental letter from ISSS, I-20 endorsed for CPT, or EAD card from USCIS.
  • Please note if you are applying for an SSN based on F-1 CPT or OPT or J-1 AT employment, you do not need a supplemental letter from ISSS.
  • More information about this can be found here: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10181.pdf)

To minimize any delays,

• Bring originals of all documents; SSA does not accept photocopies of documents.
• Be sure to save the submission number you will receive after submitting the online application to SSA.

Step 2:  Make an appointment

After you have submitted an online application, or printed and filled out the hard copy, you must make an appointment to go to your local Social Security Administration office (see details below) to apply for a Social Security Number.  You can make an appointment when you fill out the online application, or by calling 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  

Step 3: What to expect after your appointment

A Social Security number and card will typically be issued within two weeks of receiving certification from the Department of Homeland Security.  

Your SSN is sensitive personal information, so it is imperative that you protect your number and SSN card as you would your passport or other important personal documents. Do not keep it in your wallet.

• Once you have your SSN, you may need to provide it to the Middlebury tax office, your employer, or a financial institution.
• If you are required to provide your SSN to an employer, a financial institution, or another entity, be sure to do so via a secure method such as a password-protected software portal, verbally to the intended recipient, or in-person. Email is not a secure method.
• To learn more and educate yourself about common scams and fraud, please visit this SSA site. 

Process for Obtaining Proof of Employment Eligibility

Before applying for a SSN, new students/scholars must complete an immigration document check-in with ISSS and have their SEVIS records activated, if they have Middlebury-issued I-20s or DS-2019s. Also, anyone who entered the U.S. through a land border must be present in the U.S. for at least 10 business days before applying.

Procedure for obtaining documents and appointments with the Social Security Administration

For Current F-1/J-1 Students:

1. If you are an active student, you must receive a confirmation email via Workable once you are hired.  This will provide you with important instructions from the Human Resources office.
   • Middlebury Institute students must complete their paperwork with Human Resources.
2. Human Resources will automatically send you a Verification of Employment letter (VOE).  If you do not receive this from them, you can request one by emailing hr@middlebury.edu.
3. Once you have received the VOE from Human Resources, fill out the ISSS Social Security Letter Request form (you will be required to upload your VOE as a part of this form).  This form can be found on the “Forms and Resources” portion of our website under the “Current Students” section.
   • For J-1 students, you will need additional written authorization pursuant to J regulations.  This authorization should be provided by ISSS prior to obtaining an on-campus job.  Please staple it to your most recent DS-2019.
   • ISSS will respond via email within 5-7 business days with your letters and important follow-up information for filling out the Social Security Number Application.  We cannot accommodate same-day or urgent requests, so please take this step prior to making any necessary transportation needs and prior to filling out the online or hard copy SSN application forms.
4. Once you receive the supplemental letter from ISSS and have all necessary documents (see above “getting a social security number”), then you will arrange to go to the Social Security Administration office.
   • For Middlebury College, refer to Burlington Social Security Administration.
     • You may choose to make an appointment or walk in any time Monday through Friday between the hours of 9AM and 4PM.
   • For Middlebury Institute, refer to Salinas Social Security Administration.
     • For any other offices, visit the SSA office locator.

For F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

• Complete the CPT application process
• After the CPT Request has been processed, an I-20 with CPT approval will be issued and you will receive an email stating it is ready to pick up.
• You can apply for an SSN up to 30 days before your work start date.
• You do not need a supplemental letter from ISSS

For F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)

• Apply for OPT through USCIS.
• Receive your work authorization card (EAD).
• You must have your EAD card the first day of your work authorization period.
• You do not need a supplemental letter from ISSS

For J-1 Academic Training (AT)

• Complete the AT Application Process:
  • If you are a Middlebury-sponsored J-1 student, complete the AT application process here.
  • If you have a DS-2019 issued by another J sponsor, you will need to contact your Responsible/Alternate Responsible Office, to find out how to apply for AT.
• Receive the updated DS-2019 and letter of AT authorization.
• You cannot apply for the SSN until the Academic Training start date indicated on your Form DS-2019.
• You do not need a supplemental letter from ISSS

For international employees of Middlebury

• You do not need to bring any supplemental information from ISSS.  However, please make sure you have all of the listed above in “Applying for a Social Security Number” including your contract or hire letter issued from Middlebury.

Obtain proof of SSN eligibility

• F-1 and J-1 Students with On-Campus Employment
  • This is done by obtaining your Verification of Employment (VOE) from Human Resources after being officially hired.  You will also need the supplemental letter provided by ISSS (see step 1 above).  Please allow 5 business days for ISSS to provide you with this documentation.
• F-1 Students with Curricular or Optional Practical Training (CPT or OPT)
  • Present proof of your employment authorization (CPT letter or EAD for OPT) and your current Form I-20.  You do not need a supplemental letter from ISSS.
• J-1 Students with Academic Training
  • Present the DS-2019 and Academic Training authorization letter issued by your J-1 sponsor.
  • You cannot apply for the SSN until the Academic Training start date indicated on your Form DS-2019.
• J-1 Visiting Scholars
  • Present your contract letter as proof of your employment authorization and your current Form DS-2019.
• J-2 Dependents with Work Authorization
  • Present your USCIS employment authorization document (EAD), your current Form DS-2019, and your J-1’s current Form DS-2019.
• H-1B Temporary Workers
  • Present your contract letter as proof of your employment authorization and your Form I-797 Approval Notice.

Social Security Administration (SSA) Locations and Getting There

While you may apply at any SSA location in the U.S., the only location in Vermont accepting SSN appointments for active Middlebury College international students is the office in Burlington, Vermont. 

The closest office for Middlebury Institute students in Monterey is in Salinas, CA.  Both Burlington, Vermont and Salinas, California locations are accessible by public transportation.

Burlington, VT
128 Lakeside Ave., Suite 107
Burlington, VT 05401

Phone: 1-877-840-5776 
TTY (text): 1-800-325-0778

There are several transportation options to assist you in getting to and from your appointment in Burlington, Vermont. Tri-Valley Transit (TVT) and private taxis are common choices. For additional transportation options, please visit the Addison County Chamber of Commerce website: https://www.addisoncounty.com/getting-here. 

Salinas, CA 
928 E. Blanco Rd., Suite 155
Salinas, California 93901

Phone: 1-877-600-2857
TTY (text): 1-800-325-0778

More information for California can be found on the Monterey-Salinas Transit website: https://mst.org/

Bus Tips: The bus drivers are generally helpful and friendly – please ask them where you should get off to get to the SSA location if you are unsure, and where you need to be to catch the bus back to Middlebury College or Middlebury Institute.   

To Monitor SSA Office Closures and Emergencies 

Please refer to the Social Security Administration - https://www.ssa.gov/agency/emergency/ 

Updated on 02/11/2025