Do I need my social security card?

<p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>There's something I am not clear about. One of my sisters told me that I should have my official social security card with me when I go to college (I'm flying out from Seattle to Swarthmore College). She told me that it's better to have the real card and not just the number for certain things. I don't even know what to use the social security card for--for most things, they ask for social security numbers. My other sister told me that I don't need to have my card with me, just my number. I don't want to risk losing the card either. </p>

<p>Could someone tell me what purposes I would need the social security card and not just the number?</p>

<p>Oh, wait. I found this thread: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/556886-reason-take-social-security-card.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/556886-reason-take-social-security-card.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I don't have it, have never used it, and I also went to college cross-country (although only in the Alabama to Michigan direction). It hasn't even crossed my mind.</p>

<p>Oh wait, employment. But the lady let me pass because Alabama sticks your SSN on your driver's license. Which is, I realize, incredibly dumb. And optional, in defense. Which makes me really dumb. I guess something good came out of it?</p>

<p>But I don't have a driver's license. I don't have any proof that the social security number I"m giving them is really the number. I can't remember if my passport has my ss number.</p>

<p>If you plan on getting a job, you should probably bring a PHOTOCOPY of your SS Card. Keep all the originals somewhere safe.</p>

<p>^A lot of places won't accept a photocopy, and they have every right to deny a photocopy.</p>

<p>I brought mine with me because I needed it for my job. I've put it inside of a lockbox in a locked drawer, in a locked dorm room. ;] Yeah, someone could get in there if they really wanted to, but I don't see that happening, and this means that it's nearly impossible for me to lose it. If you leave it in a safe place and only take it out when you need it, you really can't lose it. Just don't carry it around with you when you don't need it.</p>

<p>The only reason I can think that you would need it would be for a job, honestly. If you're getting a job and you know where, can you call ahead and see it they'll accept a photocopy?</p>

<p>I've never once had to produce my social security card. In fact, I didn't even have my state birth certificate until about a year or two ago. Now that I think about it, I don't even know that I know where my SS card is.....opps.</p>

<p>My college won't accept photocopies for an on-campus job. If you want to work, you will need to present them the actual card.</p>

<p>Assuming it doesn't vary by state, a birth certificate works instead of your SS card.</p>

<p>I'd bring both birth certificate and SS card, just in case. Keep it in a security deposit box or something (they're really not that expensive...).</p>

<p>When you are hired in the US you are supposed to fill out an I-9 and provide proof of identity and employment eligibility.
<a href="http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-9.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-9.pdf&lt;/a>
On page 4 is the list of acceptable documents, you must provide either one from list A or one from List B AND List C.
And yes it cannot be photocopies.
A passport is great.</p>

<p>
[quote]
If you plan on getting a job, you should probably bring a PHOTOCOPY of your SS Card. Keep all the originals somewhere safe.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I've never had a job that accepted a photocopy.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I've never had a job that accepted a photocopy.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>My college sent out postcards specifically telling us to bring originals if we're applying for jobs.</p>

<p>My logic: I don't plan on applying for a job at this point, so I may not be likely to use my social security card on campus. But it's way more likely that I'll need and use it on campus, than that my parents will need and use if I leave it at home. Same logic for my passport and my birth certificate - may not be needed at school, but definitely won't be needed at home, so might as well bring em. (The exception to this rule is if you're very prone to losing things... then they may be safer at home.)</p>

<p>I dunno, I just asked one of my Swattie-to-be friends, and he says he's bringing his. For employment, just in case. I'm not sure if he saw it on any literature or not.</p>

<p>Same with B@arium, I need mine to get an on-campus job. Same college (Bryn Mawr). I'm bringing a box to keep all of the important stuff in one place- maybe you could try the same thing?</p>

<p>hm....i totally forgot about this. i'd been working at the same place for two years and when i first saw this thread, thought, "i've never needed my ss card for a job..." then recalled that at both of the two jobs i've had, i did need to present it.
thanks for the reminder, guys (and i guess i'll bee seeing y'all in the tri-co! ha).</p>