You must be able to verify some information about yourself and:
- Have a valid email address;
- Have a Social Security number;
- Have a U.S. mailing address; and
- Be at least 18 years of age.
You may only create an account using your own personal information. Do not create an
account using another person's information or identity, even if you have that
person's written permission or are that person's representative payee or appointed representative.
For example, you cannot create an account for another person:
- With whom you have a business relationship;
- For whom you are a representative payee; or
- For whom you are an appointed representative.
You may obtain assistance with creating your account from someone you trust. However, by sharing your personal information with the person assisting you, you accept the risk that the person assisting you may misuse your personal information. A third party, including a representative payee or an appointed representative, may not create an account on your behalf, but you may ask your representative payee or appointed representative to assist you to create your account if you trust the individual.
In order to protect your privacy and prevent fraud, do not share your username and password.
What will we do with your information?
We use the information you give us to verify your identity against our records. We also use an external
Identity Services Provider to verify your information against their records. We do not share your Social Security number with them, and they keep your information only for the period of time permitted by federal laws, regulations, or guidelines.
When you make a verification request to establish your account, our Identity Services Provider may use information from your credit report to help verify your identity. As a result, you may see a “soft” inquiry entry on your credit report with the Identity Services Provider, indicating that the Social Security Administration made an inquiry at your request and the date of that request. Soft inquiries do not affect your credit score, and you do not incur any charges related to them. Soft inquiries are displayed in the version of the credit report provided to a consumer and are not reported to lenders. Soft inquiries will not appear on your credit report from other providers. Soft inquiries are generally removed from your credit report after 12 months. Once you have registered for an online account, you will not generate additional soft inquiries by logging in to access our services.
What happens if you provide false information or misuse this service?
You may be subject to criminal or civil penalties, or both, if you provide false or misleading statements to sign in or create an account or engage in unauthorized use of this service.
Who is responsible if the device you are using is not adequately safeguarded?
You accept that the responsibility to properly protect any information provided to you by Social Security is yours and that you are the responsible party should any information on or from your computer or other device be improperly disclosed. You agree that Social Security is not responsible for the improper disclosure of any information that Social Security has provided to you, whether due to your own negligence or the wrongful acts of others.
Social Security is Going “Green”
When you create a my Social Security account, you will no longer receive a paper Social Security Statement in the mail. You will, however, receive an email reminder — which contains no personal information — approximately three months before your birthday, to remind you to review your Statement online.
If you need a Statement by mail, please follow these instructions.
With your my Social Security account, you can immediately view, download, or print your Statement. Your online Statement contains the most up-to-date information in our records about your earnings and benefit.