# 20 C.F.R. § 422.104 (2026): Who can be assigned a social security number

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_104

## Section

- **Citation:** 20 C.F.R. § 422.104 (2026)
- **Heading:** Who can be assigned a social security number
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 20 CFR: Employees' Benefits / Chapter III: SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION / Part 422: ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURES / Subpart B: General Procedures / § 422.104: § 422.104   Who can be assigned a social security number.

## Text

(a)
Persons eligible for SSN assignment.
We can assign you a social security number if you meet the evidence requirements in § 422.107 and you are:
(1) A United States citizen; or
(2) An alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence or under other authority of law permitting you to work in the United States (§ 422.105 describes how we determine if a nonimmigrant alien is permitted to work in the United States); or
(3) An alien who cannot provide evidence of alien status showing lawful admission to the U.S., or an alien with evidence of lawful admission but without authority to work in the U.S., if the evidence described in § 422.107(e) does not exist, but only for a valid nonwork reason. We consider you to have a valid nonwork reason if:
(i) You need a social security number to satisfy a Federal statute or regulation that requires you to have a social security number in order to receive a Federally-funded benefit to which you have otherwise established entitlement and you reside either in or outside the U.S.; or
(ii) You need a social security number to satisfy a State or local law that requires you to have a social security number in order to receive public assistance benefits to which you have otherwise established entitlement, and you are legally in the United States.
(b)
Annotation for a nonwork purpose.
If we assign you a social security number as an alien for a nonwork purpose, we will indicate in our records that you are not authorized to work. We will also mark your social security card with a legend such as “NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT.” If earnings are reported to us on your number, we will inform the Department of Homeland Security of the reported earnings.
[68 FR 55308, Sept. 25, 2003]

## Nearby sections

- [20 C.F.R. § 422.101 (2026) § 422.101   Material included in this subpart.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_101.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 422.103 (2026) § 422.103   Social security numbers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_103.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 422.104 (2026) § 422.104   Who can be assigned a social security number.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_104.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 422.105 (2026) § 422.105   Presumption of authority of nonimmigrant alien to engage in employment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_105.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 422.106 (2026) § 422.106   Filing applications with other government agencies.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_106.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 422.107 (2026) § 422.107   Evidence requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_107.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 422.108 (2026) § 422.108   Criminal penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_108.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 422.110 (2026) § 422.110   Individual's request for change in record.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_110.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 422.112 (2026) § 422.112   Employer identification numbers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_112.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 422.114 (2026) § 422.114   Annual wage reporting process.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_114.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 422.120 (2026) § 422.120   Earnings reported without a social security number or with an incorrect employee name or social security number.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_120.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 422.122 (2026) § 422.122   Information on deferred vested pension benefits.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_122.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 422.125 (2026) § 422.125   Statements of earnings; resolving earnings discrepancies.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_125.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 422.130 (2026) § 422.130   Claim procedure.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_130.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P422_S422_104. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.