How do i check if my social security number is valid

Q: How do I know if my SSN is valid?

In case youre wondering, a valid SSN will never look like this: The first three digits as 000,” 666,” or in the 900 series. The second group that consists of two digits as 00.” The third group consisting of four digits as 0000.”

In our previous blog post, we mentioned some preparation tips to help alleviate the headache that comes with year-end payroll. One of our recommendations is to ensure all of your employees’ Social Security numbers are accurate.

Table of Contents Show

How Social Security Numbers are Issued
What an Invalid SSN Looks Like
Tips to Ensure Accuracy
How to Verify
Self Lock helps protect you from employment-related identity fraud.
Why Use Self Lock
How to Use Self Lock
Related Resources
How do I know if my SSN is valid?
Can I verify my SSN online?
How can I verify a Social Security number for free?

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Every year, you’re required to send Copy A of Form W-2 to Social Security so they can match the name and Social Security number (SSN) against its database. When Social Security finds a match, the earnings information from the W-2 is recorded with the employee’s earnings history.

So it’s crucial all of your numbers are accurate so you save yourself from the hassle later down the line. Here are some tips to determine if that Social Security number you keyed in is actually valid.

Did you know? The Social Security Administration (SSA) began assigning the nine-digit Social Security number (SSN) in 1936 in order to track workers’ earnings over the course of their lifetimes to pay benefits.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) changed the way they issue numbers back in June of 2011. The change is referred to as randomization and its goal is to help protect the integrity of the SSN.

The SSN has always been comprised of a three-digit area number, a two-digit group number and ending with a four-digit serial number. Since 1972, the SSA issued Social Security cards centrally and the area number reflected the state, determined by the ZIP code in the mailing address of the application.

Because that had limitations, the new randomization change affected the assignment process by eliminating geographical significance and importance of the highest group number.

What an Invalid SSN Looks Like

An invalid SSN is one that the SSA never assigned. In case you’re wondering, a valid SSN will never look like this:

The first three digits as “000,” “666,” or in the 900 series.
The second group that consists of two digits as “00.”
The third group consisting of four digits as “0000.”

Tips to Ensure Accuracy

Depending on how many employees you have, you could simply get them to verify their name and SSN before you close out your books to prepare W-2s.

Name Change: If their name has changed, continue to use the old name and have your employee contact Social Security to get an updated card. Using the new name before the employee updates his or her Social Security records may prevent the posting of earnings to the employee’s earnings history.
Name Accuracy: Enter the name on the W-2 as shown exactly on the employee's Social Security card. Avoid misspelling names, using nicknames or shortened names, and titles before or after the name.

How to Verify

There are a few options to choose from to verify Social Security numbers for wage reporting purposes.

The Social Security Number Verification Service: This is a free online service that allows registered users to verify the names and SSN of hired employees match Social Security’s records.
The Consent Based Social Security Number Verification Service: For a fee, this service is available to enrolled private companies and state and local agencies to provide instant automated verification. This service can also handle large volume requests.
Extra: E-Verify: This free, online system is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the SSA. It allows employers to electronically verify that their new hires are authorized to work in the U.S. by comparing details on Form I-9 with Federal government databases. (Different that the first two, this just validates that your new hire is legally eligible to work in the U.S.)

As you continue to gather information needed to prepare for year-end and your W-2s, keep these tips in mind for validating the Social Security numbers of your employees (and yourself)!

Please note that this is not all inclusive. Our guidance is designed only to give general information on the issues actually covered. It is not intended to be a comprehensive summary of all laws which may be applicable to your situation, treat exhaustively the subjects covered, provide legal advice, or render a legal opinion. Consult your own legal advisor regarding specific application of the information to your own plan.

Self Lock is the unique feature that lets you protect your identity in E-Verify and Self Check by placing a "lock" in E-Verify on your Social Security number (SSN). This helps prevent anyone else from using your SSN for an E-Verify case. If an employer enters your locked SSN in E-Verify to confirm employment authorization, it will result in an E-Verify Tentative Nonconfirmation (mismatch). With Self Lock, you are always in control - you can unlock your SSN any time a new employer needs to confirm your employment authorization in E-Verify. Your Self Lock remains active as long as your account remains valid, and you have not unlocked your SSN. The Self Lock feature is only available to myE-Verify account holders.

Why Use Self Lock

Employment-related identity fraud could mean that someone else is working under your identity and using your SSN. If this happens, someone else’s wages could be reported in your name to the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, and other authorities. By using Self Lock, you can block someone from committing this fraud if they start working for an E-Verify employer. Even if you are not currently working, you may want to protect your SSN and identity with Self Lock.

How to Use Self Lock

To access Self Lock, you must be logged in to your myE-Verify account.

To lock your SSN, you must select and answer three challenge questions. Select questions you can easily answer, because you will need to answer them again to verify your identity if you receive an E-Verify Tentative Nonconfirmation (mismatch) due to Self Lock.

If you are about to start a new job with an E-Verify employer, you should log into your account and unlock your SSN.

Last Updated Date:

09/15/2022

How do I know if my SSN is valid?

In case you're wondering, a valid SSN will never look like this: The first three digits as “000,” “666,” or in the 900 series. The second group that consists of two digits as “00.” The third group consisting of four digits as “0000.”

Can I verify my SSN online?

Social Security offers three options to verify Social Security numbers: The Social Security Number Verification Service - This free online service allows registered users to verify that the names and Social Security numbers of hired employees match Social Security's records.

SSN-Check.org is proud to provide the most comprehensive free resource available on Social Security Information including free SSN Lookup and SSN Validation tools. Search by Social Security Number to see when and where a number was issued and determine the number's validity.