We encourage all employers to verify the SSNs in their wage records that they submit
to us. To this end, we established processes to provide SSN verification services
to employers quickly and efficiently. See https://www.ssa.gov/bso/services.htm for information about these processes. When handling requests from employers for
SSN information, adhere to the following:
When handling requests from employers for SSN information, adhere to the following:
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The employer must state that they need SSN verification of the employee to keep proper
wage records or to prepare a tax return.
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Do not verify the SSN to an employer in response to a request made via the telephone.
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The employer must provide the name, SSN and date of birth of the employee. If the
information matches, you can advise the employer that the SSN of the employee matches
what is contained in our records.
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SSA may only provide a positive verification of an employee’s SSN to an employer.
If the name and SSN do not appear to match, do not disclose this fact. Instead, advise
the employer to have the employee contact the nearest SSA field office.
NOTE: When an individual has applied for a job, but the employer has not yet hired that
individual, disclosure to the potential future employer is not proper. However, if
the employer has made a commitment to hire the individual, an employment relationship
exists with the employer and we may provide SSN verification.