Background Check Services

Q - When filling out the I-9 Form, can an employer accept a social security card from an alien as proof of work authorization?

A - If the Social Security Card does NOT have a statement that it is not valid for employment purposes, it should be accepted as proof of work authorization. Such an unrestricted Social Security card is clearly listed as a document that establishes employment eligibility on the back of the I-9 Form. You can download a copy of the I-9 Form by going to Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security I-9 download page.

If you go to theSocial Security Administration's (SSA) website, you will learn that SSA reports that it currently issues three types of social security cards. Here is what SSA says on its website about the types of social security cards it currently issues:

Are there different types of cards?

We issue three types of Social Security cards. All cards show your name and Social Security number.

The first type of card shows your name and Social Security number and lets you work without restriction.

We issue it to: U.S. citizens; and People lawfully admitted to the United States on a permanent basis.

The second type of card shows your name and number and notes, “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION.” We issue this type of card to people lawfully admitted to the United States on a temporary basis who have DHS authorization to work.

The third type of card shows your name and number and notes, “NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT.” We issue it to people from other countries:

Who are lawfully admitted to the United States without work authorization from DHS, but with a valid non-work reason for needing a Social Security number; or who need a number because of a federal law requiring a Social Security number to get a benefit or service.