SSN (Social Security Number)
for Employees

An employee of the University of Colorado must have a Social Security Number. The SSN is a unique number used for tax and retirement purposes by all workers in the United States.

If you do not have one, apply for one following the instructions here: Social Security Number (SSN).

You should wait 7-10 days after arriving in the U.S. and until your J-1 SEVIS record is validated to apply for an SSN. This allows time for information about your entry to the U.S. to be available to the Social Security Administration (SSA). After you apply, it takes 2-3 weeks to receive your SSN card in the mail. This means that it could take up to a month to get an SSN.

If you are not a University of Colorado employee, you may not be eligible for an SSN. Spouses and children of J-1 scholars who are in J-2 status can apply for an SSN if they receive employment authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

See Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens for more information.

If the SSA administration does not accept a digitally signed DS-2019, you can refer them to SSA Emergency Message 23045 which instructs staff to accept digitally signed DS-2019s.