Social Security Number (SSN)

Applying for a Social Security Number

If you plan to work in the United States (even if you plan to only work on-campus at UW–Madison), you will need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) through an office outside the UW–Madison campus called the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Madison Social Security Administration (SSA) requires SEVIS IDs to be registered/validated before student’s apply for a SSN with their office. 

Have you recently arrived at UW–Madison for your first semester?

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F-1 Students

If you are in your first semester at UW–Madison, you are not yet eligible to apply for a SSN if your I-20 “Form Issue Reason” states “Initial Attendance” or “Transfer-Pending.” 

You will become eligible to apply for a SSN within 30 days of the first day of the semester after UW–Madison registers your SEVIS record. 

After UW–Madison registers your SEVIS record, you will receive a new I-20 with “Form Issue Reason” as “Continued Attendance.”  

J-1 Students

If you are in your first semester at UW–Madison, you are not eligible to apply for a Social Security Number until UW–Madison validates your J-1 SEVIS record. 

UW–Madison validates all J-1 SEVIS records within 30 days of the first day of the semester.  

Are you currently employed?

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F-1 students with ON-campus employment at UW–Madison

Step 1: Are you eligible for a SSN? 

1a. Your I-20 “Form Issue Reason” need to be “Continued Attendance.”

1b. You need a job offer from an on-campus employer.

1c. You need to confirm that your on-campus employment is suitable for F-1 students.

 

Step 2: How do you apply for a UW–Madison SSN Letter? 

2a. Find the UW–Madison SSN Letter request in Terra Dotta here.

2b. Please confirm that your job offer letter lists the UW–Madison EIN number 39-6006492.

If your employment letter does not list the UW–Madison EIN, then you will need to provide your most recent UW–Madison pay statement as proof of employment.

Step 3: How do you use your UW–Madison SSN Letter to apply for a SSN at the Social Security Administration (SSA)? 

3a. Complete and print out the SS-5 application form.

3b. Complete the Social Security Administration’s online pre-application form and record your application online control number.

3c. Confirm that you have original copies of all the following documents:

-The employment letter from your on-campus job OR the most recent pay statement you have received from your on-campus employer

-Your passport

-Your most recent I-94 record

-Your most recent UW–Madison I-20

-Your completed SS-5 application form from Step 3a

-The application online control number from the Social Security Administration’s online pre-application form in Step 3b

-Your UW–Madison SSN Letter

If UW–Madison issued your SSN Letter more than 30 days ago, it has now expired – you will need to repeat Step 2 and apply for a new UW–Madison SSN Letter.

3d. Bring original copies of all the documents listed above and travel in-person to the nearest SSA office.

Please note: You need to travel in-person to the SSA office within 45 days of completing the SSA’s online pre-application form from Step 3b

 

Step 4: What do you need to do after the Social Security Administration approves your application and you receive your SSN? 

4a. Take your SSN and form of photo ID such as your passport to 333 E Campus Mall and present it to the Registrar’s Office; this step allows UW–Madison to update your student record.

F-1 students with OFF-campus employment through CPT or OPT

Step 1: Are you eligible for a SSN? 

1a. You need to be authorized to work off-campus through CPT or OPT. 

  

Step 2: How do you use your CPT/OPT-authorized I-20 to apply for a SSN at the Social Security Administration (SSA)? 

2a. Complete and print out the SS-5 application form. 

2b. Complete the Social Security Administration’s online pre-application form and record your application online control number. 

2c. Confirm that you have original copies of all the following documents: 

-The employment letter for your off-campus job OR the most recent pay statement you have received from your off-campus employer 

– Your passport 

-Your most recent I-94 record 

-Your most recent UW–Madison I-20 with CPT/OPT authorization 

-Your completed SS-5 application form from Step 2a 

-The application online control number from the Social Security Administration’s online pre-application form in Step 2b 

2d. Bring original copies of all the documents listed above and travel in-person to the nearest SSA office. 

Please note: You need to travel in-person to the SSA office within 45 days of completing the SSA’s online pre-application form from Step 2b 

J-1 students with employment

Step 1: Are you eligible for a SSN? 

1a. If you are currently in your first semester at UW–Madison, you need to confirm that UW–Madison has validated your SEVIS record. 

1b. You need a job offer from an employer. 

1c. You need to be authorized for on-campus employment or academic training

1d. Your DS-2019 needs to list your “Program Sponsor” as “University of Wisconsin–Madison.” 

If your DS-2019 lists a “Program Sponsor” that is not “University of Wisconsin–Madison,” you need to directly contact your program sponsor for their written permission for you to participate in employment at UW–Madison. 

 

Step 2: How do you apply for an employment letter from UW–Madison? 

 2a. Find more information here. 

 

Step 3: How do you apply for a SSN at the Social Security Administration (SSA)? 

3a. Complete and print out the SS-5 application form. 

3b. Complete the Social Security Administration’s online pre-application form and record your application online control number. 

3c. Confirm that you have original copies of all the following documents: 

-The employment letter from your job OR the most recent pay statement you have received from your employer 

-Your passport 

-Your most recent I-94 record 

-Your most recent UW–Madison DS-2019 

-Your completed SS-5 application form from Step 3a 

-The application online control number from the Social Security Administration’s online pre-application form in Step 3b 

-Your UW–Madison on-campus employment letter, academic training authorization OR the letter of permission from your J-1 program sponsor 

3d. Bring original copies of all the documents listed above and travel in-person to the nearest SSA office. 

Please note: You need to travel in-person to the SSA office within 45 days of completing the SSA’s online pre-application form from Step 3b 

  

Step 4: What do you need to do after the Social Security Administration approves your application and you receive your SSN? 

4a. Take your SSN and form of photo ID such as your passport to 333 E Campus Mall and present it to the Registrar’s Office; this step allows UW–Madison to update your student record. 

Document Processing Times

If you are an F-1 or J-1 student who has attended UW–Madison in-person for at least one semester, UW–Madison will typically approve your Terra Dotta application within <15 business days from the date on which you submitted. 

Business days exclude weekends and holidays.  

If you are an F-1 student whose I-20 “Form Issue Reason” is either “Initial Attendance” or “Transfer-Pending” and you submit a Social Security Number (SSN) application in Terra Dotta, your processing time will likely exceed 15 business days.  

You will receive an e-mail from UW–Madison ISS when we approve your application in Terra Dotta. 

Madison Social Security Administration Office

The Madison Social Security Administration office is located at 6011 Odana Rd, Madison, WI 53719.

For hours, location, and other contact information, please visit their website. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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How long should I be in the United States before I apply for a SSN?

UW–Madison needs to first register your SEVIS record with the federal government before you are eligible to apply for a SSN at the SSA. UW–Madison will register your SEVIS record within 30 days of the start date listed on your I-20/DS-2019.  

What do I need to do if I am not eligible for a SSN but I need an identification number for tax purposes? 

If you have a scholarship, fellowship, or grant from UW–Madison and will NOT be employed, please review our information on the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Can my dependent(s) apply for a SSN?

No – F-2 dependents are not eligible for a SSN. 

J-2 dependents can apply for a SSN if they have work authorization in the United States. 

Please speak with an ISS advisor for more details. 

Do I need a SSN for other government services?

No – you do not need a SSN for any of the following services: 

-Purchasing savings bonds 

-Receiving service at a bank 

-Registering for school 

-Applying for educational tests 

-Obtaining private health insurance 

-Applying for school lunch programs 

-Applying for subsidized housing