• Applying for a Social Security Number
• Need to look up your Social Security Number
• Replacement Social Security Card
• Amending your Social Security Card
• Still waiting to receive your Card ...

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 Follow this link to apply for your new born baby's Social Security number at the same time you apply for his/her first passport and birth documentation.

 U.S. military members (and their dependents) and others associated with the Department of Defense may apply for Social Security numbers/cards by contacting their base legal office.

 U.S. citizens (non-military) interested in obtaining Social Security cards should come to the Embassy or closest Consulate with evidence of identity and separate evidence of age. Both a U.S. passport and an original or certified copy of your birth certificate are normally required; originals only, photocopies will not be accepted. (Our office can assist you with obtaining certified copies of original documents.) The original documents will be returned to you after examination.

 Parents may apply on behalf of children under the age of 12 but must present their own passport in addition to the child's U.S. passport and birth certificate (if born in the U.S.) or Consular Report of Birth Abroad (if born outside the USA) - Originals only, photocopies will not be accepted. (Our office can assist you with obtaining certified copies of original documents.)

 If your child was born in the U.S. and moved overseas when he/she was an infant, you will also need to supply documentary evidence demonstrating that he/she has been living overseas since infancy. Typical evidence includes school records, old passports, etc.

 Non-U.S. citizens and those who do not reside in the U.S. may be eligible for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for U.S. tax purposes. This category applies to Japanese citizen spouses resident in Japan without Legal Permanent Residence in the United States. Follow this link for more information on ITINs.

 If you and/or your Japanese spouse are immigrating to the U.S., you will receive a Social Security number once in the U.S. as a Legal Permanent Resident. You cannot apply from within Japan and must apply in the U.S.

 Persons headed to the U.S. on student or work visas cannot apply for a Social Security number overseas. Please apply in the United States.

Mandatory Interview Certificates

If you are seeking a Mandatory Interview Certificate in order to obtain your first-ever Social Security number (in accordance with the U.S.-Japan Totalization Agreement), please click here.

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Social Security information is never released via phone. If you need to look up your number, please contact the SSA office in Manila directly.

SSA Manila will research your request and send the information to the Embassy or closest Consulate, at which point we will contact you by phone and ask you to come down to the Embassy/Consulate to release this information.

SSA Manila Contact Information:

Residents of Japan who have questions about Social Security eligibility or about specific claims can contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) Regional Office in Manila via phone, e-mail or fax. See contact details here.

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American Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents can apply for replacement Social Security cards through the Embassy or nearest Consulate. Please contact our offices for hours and instructions on how to apply. You will need to bring your current valid passport or permanent resident card, along with the SS-5 application form.

Please note: Replacement Social Security cards are issued overseas to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents only. If you are not a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, and you are currently residing in Japan, you will not be entitled to a replacement card even if you misplace it.

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Amendments such as name changes can be filed at the Embassy or closest Consulate. Please contact our offices for hours and instructions on how to apply.

If there is a name change, you will need to bring current valid photo identification as well as evidence of the name change (such as a marriage certificate, divorce certificate, or court order authorizing the name change) when you visit the Embassy/Consulate.

Please note: Replacement Social Security cards are only issued overseas to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. If you are not a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, and you are currently residing in Japan, you will not be entitled to a replacement card even if you misplace it. If you would like to report a name change, the Embassy/Consulates can assist in amending the record in the SSA system, but a replacement card will not be issued.

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Since all Social Security cards are printed in the U.S., it may take several months from the time of application for you to obtain a new card. If more than six months have elapsed and you would like to check the status of your application, you will need to contact the Social Security Administration office in Manila, Philippines. See contact details here.

Manila will research your request and send the current status to the Embassy/Consulate, at which point we will contact you by phone and ask you to come down to the Embassy or closest Consulate to release this information. Social Security information is never released via phone.

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