# 20 CFR § 422.104: Who can be assigned a social security number

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-422.104

## Section

- **Citation:** 20 CFR § 422.104
- **Heading:** Who can be assigned a social security number
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 20—Employees' Benefits > CHAPTER III—SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION > PART 422—ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURES > Subpart B—General Procedures

## 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 CFR § 422.1 § 422.1 Organization and functions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-422.1.md)
- [20 CFR § 422.5 § 422.5 District offices and branch offices.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-422.5.md)
- [20 CFR § 422.101 § 422.101 Material included in this subpart.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-422.101.md)
- [20 CFR § 422.103 § 422.103 Social security numbers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-422.103.md)
- [20 CFR § 422.104 § 422.104 Who can be assigned a social security number.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-422.104.md)
- [20 CFR § 422.105 § 422.105 Presumption of authority of nonimmigrant alien to engage in employment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-422.105.md)
- [20 CFR § 422.106 § 422.106 Filing applications with other government agencies.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-422.106.md)
- [20 CFR § 422.107 § 422.107 Evidence requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-422.107.md)
- [20 CFR § 422.108 § 422.108 Criminal penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-422.108.md)
- [20 CFR § 422.110 § 422.110 Individual's request for change in record.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-422.110.md)
- [20 CFR § 422.112 § 422.112 Employer identification numbers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-422.112.md)
- [20 CFR § 422.114 § 422.114 Annual wage reporting process.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-422.114.md)
- [20 CFR § 422.120 § 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/ecfr-20-422.120.md)
- [20 CFR § 422.122 § 422.122 Information on deferred vested pension benefits.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-422.122.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-422.104. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.