Social Security Number
A Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique, nine-digit identification number issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). An SSN is a requirement for all persons who work and receive pay in the U.S. The SSN is used to report wages to the government and serves as a permanent form of identification.
If you are a new international student, you MUST complete the new international student check-in process before you may begin the SSN application procedure. Please understand that maintaining your visa status is our priority.
Please Note, if an international student has requested a SEVIS Transfer to a new university: Per ISSS policy, we do not process any SSN documents for students with a pending SEVIS Transfer request.
SSN Application Procedure Steps
Click HERE to download a printable checklist of the SSN Process
1) Collect physical copies of the required SSN documents. These include the I-20, I-94, SIUE Job Offer, Social Security Form, Visa, and Passport. Students can download & print the SIUE Job Offer & Social Security Form from the table below.
Students are required to complete the Social Security Form & the top section of the SIUE Job Offer form, you employer will complete the bottom section. (The DSO signature will remain blank)
2) Upload scanned copies of the SIUE Job Offer, Social Security Form, and I-94 to the SIUE SSN Document Request. ISSS will review the documents, sign the SIUE Job Offer form, then email the signed job offer form to the student along with a reminder of the next steps.
Once students have uploaded all the required documents to the SSN Document Request, they are authorized to begin working.
3) Students will then complete the SSA Application for the Social Security office. Upon completing the SSA Application, students will receive a Reference Number. The reference number is valid for 45 days and students do NOT need to schedule an appointment, however, they will need to present the reference number whenever they arrive.
4) Upon completion of steps 1-3, students may attend the SSA office in Alton at their earliest convenience any Monday - Friday between the hours of 9AM and 4PM.
Before visiting the SSA office, all students should prepare their reference number and physical/original copies of the following documents: I-20, I-94, Passport, Visa, SSN Form, and SIUE Job Offer Form (Signed by DSO)
The address information and appropriate bus routes for the Alton, IL SSA office can be found at the bottom of this page.
For any questions or concerns regarding the SSN process, email the international affairs team at intlprog@siue.edu.
Required Documents
F-1 Student Worker | F-1 Graduate Assistant, Competitive Grant Award | |
I-94 printout | I-94 printout | I-94 printout |
Original I-20 | Original I-20 | Original DS-2019 |
Visa | Visa | Visa |
Valid Passport | Valid Passport | Valid Passport |
After Your Visit at the SSA Office
At the end of your visit, the Social Security Administration staff will give students a document that states their SSN Card will arrive within 2-4 weeks, ISSS does NOT need a copy of this document.
ISSS will notify students via their SIUE email when the SSN card arrives. If the card does not arrive within 4 weeks, the student should inform ISSS staff so they can begin an inquiry on behalf of the student.
Once you have an SSN, it will never expire. Even if your employment is discontinued or you leave the United States for a few years and return, you will keep the same number.
It is very important that you do not share your SSN with anyone else, as this can lead to identity theft. Do not carry your social security card in your wallet. Memorize it! Do not give out your SSN to anybody unless it is absolutely necessary.
Social Security Office:
- Address: Room 103 Federal Bldg., 501 Belle St., Alton, Illinois 62002
- Phone: 1-855-285-6006
- Hours: Monday-Tuesday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. / Wednesday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. / Thursday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Directions: Located in downtown Alton in the Federal Building at 5th and Belle Streets, five blocks north of the Alton Belle Casino boat on US Highway 67 (Piasa Street)
Bus Transportation:
- Take bus 17 from SIUE to Edwardsville Station.
- Take bus 7 from Edwardsville Station to Wood River Station
- Take bus 1 from Wood River Station to Belle Street (Social Security office). Tell the driver you want to be dropped off close to the Social Security office.
- To return use the same route (bus 1, bus 7, bus 17)