How can i find out my U.S. social security number?

Question

I'm a U.K. citizen, born and bred and during an 18month stay in Portland, Oregon in 1989, due to my dads work, myself, mother and father were issued with social security numbers. i was able to take full time employment and pay taxes . whats a green card? don't think i had one of those.. after returning to the U.K. i lost the card. how can i find out my number and what does it mean to have one? how can it benefit me.? does it entitle me to work in the U.S. I'm not sure what kind of visa's we had but i remember having to come home after the first 12 months to get them re-newed. i would like to return to the U.S. one day, perhaps retire there,

Answer 1

You were not issued a SSN, but a TIN.   Tax Payers Identification.   You do not qualify for social security here as you are not a citizen.

You have no legal right to work, you will need to apply for a visa, just like everyone else.    The IRS should be able to track your number from your passport number.

Answer 2

You may be a US citizen by birth unless your parents were serving in the Consular Corps or were employees of Her Majesty's Government.  Under US law, any child born on US soil is automatically a US citizen unless the parents are working for a foreign government with the appropriate visa.  As such, you were issued an SSN.  Your SSN would have been different from the one your parents would have been issued in that it renders you eligible for work in the US without restriction.  Your parents' SSNs are valid for work only in conjunction with a work visa or work permit.

You'll need to secure proof of your status, however.  Hopefully your parents kept a copy of your birth certificate.  If they didn't you can request a copy from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the State where you were born.  With that and proof of your identity, you are eligible for a US passport.  Once you get your passport, you can use a copy of the identity page and your birth certificate to request a duplicate copy of your Social Security card.

The folks at the US Embassy in London can assist you with all of this.  With your US passport and SS card in hand, you are free to return to the US at any time and pursue any part of the "American Experience" as you fancy.  Welcome home!