Can I look up my social security number online?

Question

My mom is out of town and my grandma doesn't know. How can I find it online for free?

Answer 1

You should have memorized your social security number not long after you received it. But, if you lost it and need to replace it, here's what you CAN do online:

1. go to http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf

2. If you have the Adobe Acrobat Reader (can be a very valuable program to have & it can be downloaded free if you don't have it from www.AdobeAcrobat.8-PDF.com), you can then print out their form SS-5 to send in for a replacement card.

3. You must be able to provide ORIGINAL or CERTIFIED COPIES of documents to identify yourself:

    Citizenship or immigration status: "We can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. consular report of birth, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask to see your current U.S. immigration documents. " Acceptable documents 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 from the Department of Homeland Security (I-766 or I-688B).

4. To prove Age: "You must present your birth certificate if you have it or can easily obtain it. If not, we can consider other documents, such as your passport to prove age."

5. To prove Identity : "We can accept only certain documents as proof of identity. An acceptable document must be CURRENT  (not expired) and show your name, identifying information and preferably a recent photograph. Social Security will ask to see a U.S. driver’s license, state-issued nondriver identification card or U.S. passport as proof of identity. If you do not have the specific documents we ask for, we will ask to see other documents including:

      Employee ID card;

      School ID card;

     Marriage document;

     Health insurance card (NOT a Medicare card);

     U.S. military ID card;

    Adoption decree; or

    Life insurance policy."

6. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. "We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity. Or, we may use your U.S. birth certificate as proof of age and citizenship. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.

     We will mail your number and card as soon as we have all of your information and have verified your documents with the issuing offices. "

   Or you can  take or mail your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office.

7. What does it cost?

"There is no charge for a Social Security number and card. If someone contacts you and wants to charge you for getting a number or card, or for any Social Security service, please remember that Social Security services are FREE. You can report anyone attempting to charge you by calling our Office

of the Inspector General hotline at 1-800-269-0271."

8. You can replace your card or your child's card for free if it is lost or stolen. However, you are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime.  Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits, and changes in noncitizen status that require card updates may not count toward these limits.

9. Your replacement card will have the same name and number as your previous card.

10. You should be very careful about sharing your number and card to protect against misuse of your number. Giving your number is voluntary even when you are asked for the number directly. If requested, you should ask:

  Why your number is needed;

   How your number will be used;

  What happens if you refuse; and

  What law requires you to give your number.

The answers to these questions can help you decide if you want to give your Social Security number. The decision is yours .

    (The above is why a living person cannot find his/her SSN online. It is to protect you from identity theft, among other reasons).

Go to their opening page at www.ssa.gov for all the other information you may need.

Answer 2

do your homework & behave yourself

Answer 3

You can't. If you could, I could too, then I could have your bank wire all of your money to me. You wouldn't want that.

If you can memorize a phone number, you can memorize your SSN. Do so. It will save you hours of frustration.

Answer 4

Try "www.freeannualcreditreport.com"

Answer 5

The only way you could find it online is if you are dead. Social Security numbers are very sensitive.  You don't want the whole world finding your SS#.  It can lead to identity theft.

Answer 6

Do you have any school records or report cards, sometime those are on there? Is it on your license?

I gave my kids their SSN When they were 12 and made them memorize it. What do you need it for?

Can you call your mom and ask her?