Uscis Laminated Social Security Card

Over the years the uscis has had varying positions on whether a laminated card was acceptable.

Uscis laminated social security card.

While the social security administration ssa discourages individuals from laminating their social security cards the u s citizenship and immigration services uscis guidance indicates an. For a period of time the answer was no. Previously applicants needed to submit a form i 765 to uscis for an ead and then submit additional paperwork in person at their local social security office to obtain an ssn. Metal or plastic reproductions of social security cards are not acceptable for form i 9 purposes.

The united states citizenship and immigration services uscis website s form i 9 central questions and answers include this guidance in response to a question asking whether a laminated social security card is valid. If the card states on the back not valid if laminated then the laminated social security card is not valid. Title uscis questions and answers author brooke created date 6 8 2011 4 10 52 pm. The social security administration ssa advises cardholders not to laminate social security cards.

The rule used to be that if the card itself said not valid if laminated then the card was not valid for list c purposes so i would stick with this latest rule. The revised uscis form includes additional questions that allow applicants to apply for an ssn or replacement card without visiting a social security office. Then the agency s position morphed into they are acceptable unless the card on the back indicates that it was not valid if laminated and sure enough many cards had that notation. If you are not a u s.

All cards show your name and social security number. Citizen or lawful permanent resident you may have a work restriction listed on your card. If your employee presents a restricted social security card ask the employee to provide a different document from list c or a document from list a. You must accept any document s from the lists of acceptable documents that reasonably appear to be genuine and to relate to the person presenting them.

Do not laminate your card. Lamination prevents detection of many security features. If the card states on the back not valid if laminated then the laminated social security card is not valid.