Social Security Number for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival

Hot on the heels of the US Citizenship & Immigration Services (US CIS) announcing the completion of first adjudications for deferred action for childhood arrivals, the Social Security Administration (SSA) issued guidance to DACA beneficiaries on obtaining a Social Security Number (SSN).

Once a DACA beneficiary has been granted Deferred Action status and employment authorization card (I-766) from US CIS, s/he can visit a Social Security office in person to complete and sign an application for a SSN.  The DACA beneficiary is required to take his/her US CIS-issued Employment Authorization Card (I-766) and proof of age and identity.

As proof of age and identity the DACA beneficiary must show an original or a certified copy of one of the following:

• Foreign birth certificate;
• Foreign passport;
• U.S. military record;
• U.S. military identification card;
• Religious record showing age or date of birth;
• U.S. driver’s license;
• U.S. state-issued identification card;
• School record showing age or date of birth;
• School identification card; or
• Copy of medical record. 

The SSN cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies as it must independently verify the documents of DACA beneficiary.