Do you have to be a US Citizen to get a SSN?

[MichaelD]

Do you have to be a US Citizen to get a SSN? Where can I look this up?

 

[maxster]

Oh boy

 

[MrChad]

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10120.html

 

[Linflas]

My wife is a Canadian citizen with permanent resident status and she has had an SSN since she moved here.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks MrChad and Linflas. :thumbsup:

 

[jjones]

No, the US government gives out SSN like candy.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Actually... I have a SSN, without being a citizen or a permanent resident... but I got it years ago...

 

[FoBoT]

If you are not a U.S. citizen, Social Security must see your current U.S. immigration documents. Acceptable documents from the Department of Homeland Security include your:

Form I-551 (includes machine-readable immigrant visa with your unexpired foreign passport);
I-94 with your unexpired foreign passport; or
Work permit card (I-766 or I-688B).

that link doesn't say, but i think if you are a 'resident alien' vs. a 'non-resident alien' , then you can get an SSN vs. a TIN

 

[Steve]

I got mine before I got my green card, which I still have (not yet a citizen).

 

[MichaelD]

Hmm, that's some good news (Anita/Steve). I have some checking to do now. At least I have some baseline info now. Thanks.