International Services

• About OIS

  • Hours and Location
  • Mission and Goals
  • Organizational Chart
  • Meet our Staff
  • Emergency Contact Information
  • Contact Us

• International Center

  • Programs & Events
  • IC History
  • Student Groups
  • Bloomington Worldwide Friendship

• Student & Scholar Advising

  • Students

    • F-1 Students
    • J-1 Students
    • Orientation

  • Faculty, Staff, & Visitors

    • J-1 Scholars
    • H-1B Employees
    • Permanent Residence
    • Short-term Visitors
  • Living in the U.S.
• Site Map

• Indiana University

  • About IU
  • Bloomington
  • Indianapolis
  • East
  • Fort Wayne
  • Kokomo
  • Northwest
  • South Bend
  • Southeast

 Login  Prepaid Long Distance  Campus Map  Statistical Reports  Donate to OIS  iOffice 2.0

⇒ Student & Scholar Advising ⇒ Living in the US ⇒ Social Security Numbers Information

Social Security Numbers Information

The US Social Security program is designed as a pension fund and insurance fund for individuals who work and live in the United States.  The social security number (SSN) has become an identification number routinely used by banks, phone companies, rental agencies, and other institutions.  The Social Security Administration advises companies that they should not use the SSN in this way.  Recent changes in social security regulations are making it more difficult to obtain a number if you do not have a job in the US.

For tax purposes, anyone receiving income must provide their employer with a social security number.  If you want to get a social security number, you must apply in person at the local Social Security Administration office.

For more information and the necessary applications, please click here.

If you are on the IUPUI campus, please contact the Office of International Affairs, 317-274-7000 for information on university procedures related to social security numbers for international students and scholars.

Standard Documents

All international persons must show the following documents in order to complete an application:

• Valid Passport
• Valid I-94 card
• One other piece of identification—a student ID card, driver’s license, credit card, etc.

Additional Materials:

J-1 Scholars.

J Scholars must show their original DS-2019 form in addition to the standard documents above.  They do not need to submit additional materials.  No DSO letter is required.  No employer letter is required.

J-1 Students Sponsored by Indiana University.

J-1 students with “Indiana University” listed in Item 2 of their DS-2019 do not need a letter.

J-1 Students Not Sponsored by Indiana University.

J-1 students with a sponsor other than “Indiana University” in Item 2 of their DS-2019 must get a letter from their official sponsor.  Many of these sponsors, such as IIE-Fulbright, provide these letters at their orientation.  J-1 students must submit this letter and their valid DS-2019 in addition to the standard documents listed above.

F-1 Students with On-Campus Hourly Jobs.

All F-1 students need to submit the standard documents listed above.  Also, F-1 students need proof of a job or a job offer.  For students to be considered to have a job at IU, the hiring department must have completed, or will complete, a Hire-edoc in HRMS.

F-1 students can prove their employment with either a pay advice or paycheck stub, or they can supply a letter from their employer.  The letter should follow this format:

Sample Employer Letter

The employer letter must be printed on an original of the employer’s colored letterhead and must have an original departmental signature.  The employer’s letter may not list more than one student at a time.

In addition, students need to provide a DSO letter.  To obtain the DSO letter, students can fill out the Social Security Letter request in iStart.  Once the request is approved, students can pick up the DSO letter by bringing their employer letter to the Office of International Services, Franklin Hall 306.

F-1 Students on Curricular Practical Training.

All F-1 students need to submit the standard documents listed above.  No employer letter is necessary.  However, I-20 must be properly endorsed with DSO authorization for CPT on page 3.

F-1 Students with an Employment Authorization Document.

Under certain circumstances, F-1 students can obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that permits them to work off campus.  In most cases, F-1 students with an EAD are on Optional Practical Training.  F-1 students who have an EAD need to submit the stand documents listed above, and should show their EAD when they apply.  No employer letter is necessary.  No DSO letter is necessary.

F-1 Students with Student Academic Appointments.

All F-1 students need to submit the standard documents listed above.  F-1 graduate students who have graduate assistantships or associate instructorships must also submit the following:

• A letter to the student from the IU department which outlines the stipulations of the work portion of the fellowship or assistantship.
• Student academic appointees need the DSO letter from OIS.

Dependents

J-2 Dependents.

If you are in J-2 status, you can obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the BCIS.  Talk to OIS about how to do this.  Once you have the EAD, you can take it, along with passport, I-94 card, DS-2019 and another piece of identification to the local social security office.

F-2 Dependents.

F-2 dependents may not work and therefore do not qualify for a social security number.  The social security office will not accept their applications.

Social Security Address

The Bloomington branch of the Social Security Administration office is located at:

515 West Patterson Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403

Hours: 9:00–4:00, Monday–Friday (except Federal holidays), Telephone: 812-334-4222

Your application will usually take about two weeks to process.  Your social security card will be sent to you by regular mail.