How to Find my Social Security Number

Social Security Numbers are nine digit numbers that are issued to all U.S. Citizens and permanent residents. Social Security numbers were enacted in 1935 and were part of the New Deal program, which was implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It is important to know your Social Security number by heart, because you will use it throughout your life, for one reason or another.

1. Contact your local Social Security office. People lose their Social Security cards all the time. If you are in need of a replacement card, you can receive a new one from the Social Security Administration. Before Social Security issues you a new card, it needs proof of citizenship, age and identity.

2. Provide a U.S. Birth certificate or a U.S. Passport to prove you citizenship. You must present your birth certificate to prove your age. Some documents that prove your identity are: U.S. Driver's license, Employee ID card and a U.S. Military ID card.

3. Include all of this information on your application. You can either fill out the forms online and send them in that way; or print out the form, fill it out and sign it, and mail it to the Social Security Office. If you are going to mail in the application, enclose the original documents with it. The Social Security Office does not accept photocopies and will send the original forms back to you.

4. Wait for your card in the mail. The Social Security Administration will send out your card after processing your application and verifying all of your documents.

Ask a parent for the number. If you do not know your Social Security number, the odds are that your parents will have the information. All parents have to request a Social Security card for their children and most of them retain this information as part of their records. This can save you time and money if you do not want to wait for the Social Security Office to handle your request.