Employment / Social Security

woman walking with a paper and looking for something

Acquiring a Social Security Card

Application Procedure

You must follow these instructions in order to apply for a social security number. Do not begin employment until the following steps are completed:

  1. Obtain a letter from your on-campus or off-campus employer. Click here for an on-campus sample letter or off-campus sample letter (PDF).
  2. Submit a letter request (Letter type: SSN support letter) and allow time for processing.
  3. Bring the following items to a Social Security Office (see below for list and map of nearby offices):
    • Employer Letter
    • Social Security Number support letter from International Student Advisor
    • SEVIS I-20 (for F-1 student) or DS-2019 (for J-1 student and scholar)
    • Valid I-94
    • Valid passport

For students on OPT only: Please only bring the following items only during the application procedure:

  • I-20
  • Valid passport
  • Valid I-94
  • EAD

Nearby Social Security Administration Offices

Below is a list and map of nearby Social Security Administrative Offices. Please check the office’s hours of operation before arriving (some offices will close at noon on Wednesday).

Anaheim
900 S. Harbor Blvd. 
Anaheim, CA 92805

Brea
3230 E Imperial Hwy. #150
Brea, CA 92821

Garden Grove
11900 Gilbert St.
Garden Grove, CA 92841

Santa Ana
1851 E First St.
Santa Ana, CA 92705

West Covina
501 S Vincent Ave., #201
West Covina, CA 91790

General Contact Information

For more information about Social Security Cards, please visit the Social Security Administration website (they also provide information in several languages). You can contact the Social Security Administration via telephone: (800) 772-1213 (they are typically open from 9:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday).

brea social security office

The Brea Social Security Office is only a few miles from the Cal State Fullerton campus