Information for international students who need to acquire a social security number (SSN) or a New York State driver's license or identification card.
Social Security Number (SSN)
A Social Security number is a taxpayer identification number issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA). A Social Security Number is intended to accurately record your earnings in the United States.
Application Process
Important Note: All new students have to wait at least two weeks after their arrival in the United States to apply for a Social Security Number. You must check-in with OISS and OISS must register you in SEVIS before you can submit an application to the SSA
- Search for, apply for, and obtain a job on campus. To find a job, visit . Most on-campus jobs are posted on the portal.
- Fill out an I-9 form with the Human Resource Department. Bring your passport and visa with you.
- Sign up for a trip to the SSA office in Utica and/or request an employment letter by taking
- Fill out the (For question 5, you should mark "Legal Alien Allowed To Work", and leave 9b and 10b blank unless your parents have Social Security Numbers.)
- Bring your employment letter, , passport, visa (not applicable to Canadians), Form I-20, I-94*, and ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø ID to the Social Security Office.
- Your Social Security card should arrive in 2-4 weeks
- Be sure to check your CU Box when waiting for your card. This is a very important document that is yours forever. Sign the card as soon as you receive it and keep track of your card and number at all times!
- Once you receive your Social Security card, please contact the Payroll Office at 315-228-7803 or payroll@colgate.edu to request a meeting with Ms. Patti Blinebry. When you meet with Ms. Blinebry you’ll need to bring your passport, visa, I-20, I-94, and Social Security card. Either immediately before or after you meet with Ms. Blinebry, you’ll also need to visit the Human Resource Department to give them your Social Security number.
At ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, you may start working on campus without a Social Security card as long as you have completed an I-9 form. However, you cannot be paid until you receive a Social Security card and complete all the above steps.
As a reminder, you are not permitted to work off campus without authorization from the Office of International Students Services and U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. Working off-campus without authorization is a violation of F-1 visa status.
Social Security Website
For complete information regarding the Social Security Administration and its processes and requirements, please visit the .