U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY CARD
What is it?
- A Social Security Number (SSN) is used by employers and employees for the purpose of reporting individual employee earnings for tax purposes only.
- The SSN is valid for life, so you only need to apply once.
- The temporary number assigned by ECU to new international students and scholars (e.g., 121-00-XXXX) is NOT a valid U.S. SSN. DO NOT use this number when filing taxes as you will incur a penalty in the form of a fee.
Who is eligible?
- F-1 students who have secured on-campus employment or working off-campus with OPT or CPT
- J-1 students, with a letter of permission to work from a sponsor
- All J-1 scholars
- J-2 spouses with permission to work from immigration (EAD card)
Why do I need it?
- You must have an SSN if you will receive a paycheck or stipend from ECU.
- You will need an SSN (or, alternatively, an ITIN) to file a U.S. income tax return for each calendar year for which you spent any period of time in the U.S.
- SSNs are often used for a variety of unofficial purposes, such as opening telephone, utility, or bank/credit card accounts. While having an SSN is convenient for these reasons, it is not required. If you have difficulty opening a bank account or other types of accounts because you do not have an SSN, you may want to speak to a supervisor or seek a different vendor.
How to obtain an SSN:
The Social Security Administration will only issue you an SSN for the purpose of obtaining employment. You must be offered employment before you can apply for an SSN. You cannot apply for an SSN if the employment does NOT start within 30 days. Please review the below criteria for your visa type (F-1 or J-1).
Instructions for ON-CAMPUS jobs only:
- After applying for an SSN you will receive your SSN Card within 14-20 business days.
- Include one copy of the SSN Card with your ECU work permit packet.
- Also, take the original SSN Card to the Records Office (Admin. RM 111) to change your ECU issued “121-00-XXXX” number to your real social security number. Don’t forget this step – or you won’t be eligible to work or receive payment.
J-1 VISA HOLDER INSTRUCTIONS:
You will need to take the following items with you when you apply for your social security card:
- Letter from your Alternate Responsible Officer (ECU Int’l Director)
- The letter must indicate the nature of the employment in which the student will engage and that the student is authorized to work.
- brief job description.
- A completed SS-5 application form (It is best to put your campus mailing address on the SS-5)
- Your passport, visa, and I-94
- Your DS-2019
NOTE: YOU CAN APPLY FOR A DRIVER’S LICENSE ONLY AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE U.S. FOR AT LEAST 10 DAYS AND HAVE BEEN REGISTERED IN SEVIS.
F-1 VISA HOLDER INSTRUCTIONS:
You will need to take the following items with you when you apply for your social security card:
- Letter from your employer, written on company letterhead, that includes the following information:
- The identity of student employee;
- Nature of job the student will be engaged in;
- Anticipated or actual employment start date;
- Number of hours the student is expected to work;
- Employer identification number (EIN) (ECU's EIN: 474354756);
- Employer contact information, including the telephone number and the name of the F-1 student's immediate supervisor;
- Original signature and signatory's title; and
- Date
- Letter from your Designated School Official (ECU Int’l Director)
- A completed SS-5 application form (Obtain from SSN Office. It is best to put your campus mailing address on the SS-5)
- Your passport, Visa, and I-94
- Your I-20
U.S. DRIVER’S LICENSE
In order to get an Oklahoma driver's license, you must pass a written test and a driving test. The first step is to prepare for these tests by studying the Oklahoma Driver’s Manual.
Pursuant to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver’s Manual, “An Oklahoma License is NOT required for:… nonresidents who are at least 16 years of age or older and have a valid driver’s license from their home country...Nonresident students enrolled at an Oklahoma college or university and their spouses and children with valid licenses from their home states” (Oklahoma’s Driver’s Manual, p. 1-1). For students who still wish to apply for an Oklahoma driver’s licenses follow the instructions below. (For more information about how to obtain an Oklahoma driver’s license visit Oklahoma Department of Public Safety website.)
Do I need a social security number? NO.
To apply for a Driver’s License you need to show proof of either (A) or (B);
(A): A social security card, if you are eligible to work
OR,
(B): If you are not eligible to work, you must apply for an SSN in order to receive the Form SSA-L676 “Refusal to Process SSN Application”
Take the following items to the DPS Office:
- Proof of (A) or (B), as mentioned above
- Passport, I-94, Visa
- I-20
- ECU ID card
Driver's License Tests:
- At the Ada Pontotoc Tech Center you will take a written test, and if you pass then you will take a driving test. Note: You must provide the vehicle and show proof of valid motor vehicle insurance.
- If you pass both tests, you will be given a sheet of paper that you will submit to the Ada Tag Office in order to take your driver’s license photo and receive the driver’s license identification card.
"YOU CAN APPLY FOR A DRIVER’S LICENSE ONLY AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE U.S. FOR AT LEAST 10 DAYS AND HAVE BEEN REGISTERED IN SEVIS."
Note: If your cultural and/or religious practices do not condone the harvesting of organs of the deceased, then do not agree to be an organ donor on your driver's license application.
Dept. of Public Safety Office
Pontotoc Tech Center Campus
601 W 33rd Street
Ada, OK 74820
580-332-8265
Ada Tag Office
509 Arlington
Ada, OK 74820
580-332-6079