Applying for a Social Security Benefits or Number (Card)

If you would like to apply for a social security benefits or a social security number (card), please review the following information closely.

We provide assistance to residents of Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.

Effective July 1, 2011, the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) is implementing an appointment-only system.  Applicants seeking any sort of FBU service will be required to first schedule an appointment by sending an email inquiry to FBU.Jerusalem@ssa.gov.  Applicants who are coming for routine passport and registration of birth services and also seeking FBU services will be turned away if they have not scheduled an appointment with FBU in advance.

Applying for a Social Security Number or Original Social Security Card

All applicants over the age of 12 must appear in person.

It is very rare for a U.S. Citizen above the age of 12 not to have been assigned a Social Security Number. The most common reason for such an occurrence is a child born in the U.S. who moved abroad while very young.

You must submit documentation to prove the allegation of absence from the U.S. as the reason a Social Security Number was never assigned. The documentation must be comprehensive and date from the time the person departed the U.S. to the present to provide sufficient evidence.

The documentation can include:

• school records such as report cards or a letter from the school confirming dates of attendance
• travel documents such as current or canceled passports (U.S. or other)
• employment records
• medical records
• proof of registration with a doctor or clinic

Applicants must submit originals of all documents, as well as a copy of all evidence provided.

To apply you must do the following:

1. Fill out the SS-5 Application in CAPITAL BLOCK LETTERS using legible handwriting.  The application is available from the Consulate General or online at the Social Security Administration’s website: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.pdf.  Please have your application completed before approaching the Federal Benefits Unit’s window.
2. Provide Proof of Your Age (in the form of one of the following), original and a copy 
   
   You can present your foreign birth certificate, or 
   
   Your consular report of birth abroad (FS-240)
3. Provide Proof Of U.S. Citizenship (in the form of one of the following), original and a copy 
   
   Signed, U.S. Passport 
   
   Naturalization Certificate
   
   Citizenship Certificate 
   
   Consular Report of Birth Abroad FS-240 or FS-545
4. Provide Proof of Identification with a photo (in the form of one of the following), original and a copy
   
   Signed, unexpired U.S. Passport or Foreign Passport (for applicants born in the U.S., the only accepted form of identification is a valid U.S. passport)
5. (If Applicable) Parents Applying for Children Under 18 Must Provide Proof of Identification, original and a copy 
   
   Signed, unexpired U.S. or Foreign Passport
   
   Drivers License
   
   Israeli I.D. Card with a current photo

Applying for a Replacement Social Security Card (Same Name and Number)

Available for U.S. citizens only by providing: 

• The completed SS-5 Application in CAPITAL BLOCK letters using legible handwriting.  The application is available from the Consulate General or online at the Social Security Administration’s website: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.pdf.  Please have your application completed before approaching the Federal Benefits Unit’s window.
• Proof of Identification as described above. 
• Parents applying for children under 18 must also provide identification as described above.

Applying for a Social Security Card because of a Name Change (Marriage or Legal Name Change)

Available for U.S. citizens only by providing:

• The completed SS-5 Application in CAPITAL BLOCK letters using legible handwriting.  The application is available from the Consulate General or online at the Social Security Administration’s website: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.pdf.  Please have your application completed before approaching the Federal Benefits Unit’s window.
• Original Marriage Certificate
• Legal Name Change Certificate
• Proof of Identification showing the new name.  The identification must meet the criteria described above. 

Further Information

If you do not know your social security number, please call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 from the United States, or at 1-880-772-1213 from Israel, the West Bank or Gaza.  For further information, please visit: http://www.ssa.gov.

If you wish to speak to a Social Security Representative, please call the Federal Benefits Unit Call Center from 8:30-11:30, on Tuesdays and Thursdays only at 972-2-630-4031.