Is Your Social Security Number on Your Passport? Find Out!- Beyond Borders

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The Remitly editorial team is a global group of writers and editors who are passionate about helping people thrive across borders.

Key Highlights

Your Social Security number is required for your passport application but is not printed on your passport book.
The U.S. Department of State needs your SSN to verify your identity and comply with federal law.
A passport includes personal details like your full name, date of birth, place of birth, and a unique passport number.
If you don’t have a Social Security number, you must submit a signed statement explaining why.
Your passport is not valid proof of your Social Security number; you’ll need your Social Security card or other approved documents.

Introduction

When you’re preparing for international travel, filling out a United States passport application is a key step. One common question that arises is about your Social Security number (SSN). You’re asked for it on the form, which might make you wonder if this sensitive piece of information will be printed on your final passport document. This guide will clarify what personal information is included on your passport and explain why your SSN is a necessary part of the passport application process.

What Personal Details Are Actually Included On a U.S. Passport

Your passport book serves as your official identification for international travel, but what information does it actually display? The data page of your new passport contains key personal details that confirm your identity to officials worldwide.

These details are sourced from the documents you provide during your application, such as your birth certificate. They include your name, date of birth, and other identifying markers. Understanding what is and isn’t on your passport can help you protect your personal information.

Full Name and Date of Birth

One of the most prominent pieces of information on your passport’s data page is your full name. This name must match the name on your proof of citizenship, like your birth certificate or a previous passport. It’s crucial that the name is spelled correctly and is your complete legal name, as discrepancies can cause issues at border crossings.

Your date of birth is another critical identifier included on your passport book. This information, along with your full name, helps to distinguish you from other individuals. It is cross-referenced with your supporting documents to ensure accuracy and legitimacy.

Both of these details are fundamental to verifying your identity. When you present your passport, officials use your name and date of birth to confirm that the document belongs to you. This is why providing an original or certified birth certificate during the application process is so important.

Passport Number and Issue/Expiration Dates

Every passport book is assigned a unique passport number. This number is different for each new passport you receive. For example, when you renew an old passport, your new passport will come with a completely new passport number. This number is used to track the document and is a key piece of information if you ever need to report your passport lost or stolen.

Your passport also clearly displays an issue date and an expiration date. For adults aged 16 and over, a passport is typically valid for 10 years from the issue date. For children under 16, it is valid for five years.

These dates are essential to monitor, as many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date. Traveling with a passport that’s close to its expiration date can lead to being denied entry, so always check your dates before booking a trip.

Gender and Place of Birth

Your passport includes your gender on the data page. The U.S. Department of State offers options for male (M), female (F), or another gender identity (X). This information helps serve as a complete identifier and should match what is on your other legal documents.

In addition to gender, your place of birth is also listed. This indicates the state or country where you were born, as verified by documents like your birth certificate or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). This detail helps establish your citizenship and origin.

Both gender and place of birth are standard identifying details found on most international travel documents. They provide another layer of verification for officials when you travel. The information listed must be accurate and supported by the legal documents you submit, such as a birth certificate or adoption decree.

Here is the direct answer you’ve been looking for: no, your Social Security number is not printed on your United States passport. While you must provide it on your application, it is not displayed on the physical passport book or passport card.

This is a security measure to protect your sensitive information. If your passport were lost or stolen, having your SSN on it would expose you to a much higher risk of identity theft. The government keeps this number confidential within its internal systems. We’ll now look at how identification numbers are displayed and the official guidelines.

How Identification Numbers Are Displayed

Your passport and your Social Security card are both official documents, but they serve different purposes and display different identification numbers. Your passport contains a passport number, which is unique to that specific travel document. Your Social Security card, on the other hand, contains your nine-digit Social Security number.

This separation is intentional. Your SSN is one of the most sensitive pieces of personal information you have, and limiting its visibility helps protect you from fraud. Your passport number is used for travel-related tracking, while your SSN is used for tracking earnings and government benefits. Documents like a certificate of citizenship or certificate of naturalization also have unique numbers but do not display your SSN.

The table below clarifies which number appears on which document.

Document	Identification Numbers Displayed
U.S. Passport	Passport Number
Social Security Card	Social Security Number (SSN)

Official Guidelines from the U.S. Department of State

The U.S. Department of State, the official government organization responsible for issuing passports, is very clear about its policies. Its guidelines confirm that the Social Security number is used for internal verification but is not included on the passport document itself. This policy is in line with privacy and security best practices.

This procedure is governed by the laws of the United States of America, which aim to balance the need for identity verification with the protection of citizens’ personal data. The Department of State’s primary goal is to issue a secure travel document that proves your identity and citizenship without exposing unnecessary sensitive information.

By keeping the SSN off the passport, the government minimizes the potential damage if your document is lost or falls into the wrong hands. You can travel with confidence, knowing that your most critical identification number is not being carried around in your pocket or bag.

If your Social Security number isn’t printed on the passport, why does the passport application ask for it? The Department of State is required by federal law to collect your SSN. This information is shared with the Social Security Administration to verify your identity.

It also allows other government agencies, like the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to ensure compliance with specific laws. Failing to provide your SSN can delay or even lead to the denial of your application. Let’s explore the specific government requirements and what to do if you don’t have an SSN.

Government Requirements Explained

Providing your Social Security number on your passport application is not optional—it is a requirement under federal law. Specifically, Section 6039E of the Internal Revenue Code mandates that the Department of State collect this information.

The primary purpose is to help the U.S. Department of the Treasury identify individuals who owe child support payments or have other tax-related issues. The law allows the government to deny a passport application for certain unresolved financial obligations. This is a key reason why your application will be delayed or denied if you omit your SSN.

Furthermore, according to the U.S. Department of State, you could be subject to a $500 penalty enforced by the IRS if you fail to provide the number. This underscores the seriousness of the requirement and its legal backing. It’s an essential part of the verification process that ensures applicants are in good standing with federal obligations.

What if you are applying for a new passport but have never been issued a Social Security number? Federal law accounts for this situation. If you genuinely do not have an SSN, you will not be prevented from obtaining a passport, but you must take an extra step.

You are required to submit a signed and dated statement with your application. This statement must declare, under penalty of perjury, that you have never been issued a social security number by the Social Security Administration. This is a formal declaration and should be taken seriously.

The required text for this statement is:

“I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct: I have never been issued a social security number by the Social Security Administration.”
If applying for a child, the statement should say: “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct: My child has never been issued a social security number by the Social Security Administration.”

Handing over sensitive information like your Social Security number can feel concerning. It’s natural to worry about how your data is being handled, especially during a passport application process that involves multiple steps and agencies.

Rest assured, strict protocols are in place to protect your information. The government understands the importance of securing your SSN and has implemented measures to safeguard it from unauthorized access or misuse. In the following sections, we’ll discuss the safety of sharing your SSN and how it’s protected.

Yes, it is safe to provide your Social Security number on your passport application. The U.S. Department of State is an official government organization that follows strict security protocols to handle sensitive information. Your SSN is used for specific, legally mandated purposes and is not treated casually.

The government employs robust measures to protect your data. These include:

Secure Systems: Your application data is entered into secure, encrypted government systems.
Limited Access: Only authorized personnel who need the information for verification purposes can access it.
Legal Protections: The Privacy Act of 1974 regulates how federal agencies can collect, use, and disclose personal information.

When you submit your application at a passport acceptance facility or by mail, you are entrusting your information to a system designed with security in mind. The risk of compromise through this official channel is extremely low compared to sharing your SSN with commercial entities.

How Your Data Is Protected During the Process

The Department of State takes the protection of your sensitive information very seriously throughout the entire passport application process. From the moment you submit your application, your data is handled within a secure environment. Physical documents are managed in controlled facilities, and digital information is protected by advanced cybersecurity measures.

Once your identity is verified and your passport is approved, your SSN is not retained in a way that is easily accessible. It is used for the initial cross-referencing with other government agencies, as required by law, and then securely stored according to federal record-keeping regulations. It is not part of the data embedded in your passport’s chip or printed on the document.

This careful handling ensures that your most sensitive information remains confidential. The goal is to complete the necessary legal checks without exposing your data to unnecessary risks, providing peace of mind as you complete your passport application.

While a U.S. passport is an excellent form of proof of identity and citizenship, it cannot be used as proof of your Social Security number. Since the SSN is not printed on the document, showing your passport does not verify your number for entities that require it, like employers or financial institutions.

You will need to present your actual Social Security card or other acceptable documents. Let’s explore why your passport isn’t sufficient for this purpose and what alternatives you can use instead.

Why Your Passport Alone Isn’t Enough

Your passport book is a powerful document, but it has its limits. When an organization asks for proof of your Social Security number, they need to see the number itself, which your passport does not display. This is the primary reason why your passport alone is not enough.

The main documents serve distinct purposes:

Passport: Proves your identity and U.S. citizenship for international travel.
Social Security Card: Proves you have been assigned a Social Security number.

Think of it this way: while you use documents like a birth certificate for your passport application, the final passport book doesn’t contain all the information from those source documents. Similarly, your passport doesn’t carry your SSN just because you provided it on the application. For official purposes requiring your SSN, you must provide a document that explicitly shows the number.

Acceptable Alternatives for Verifying SSN

If you need to provide proof of your Social Security number, several documents are widely accepted. The most direct and common form of proof is, of course, your Social Security card itself. However, if you don’t have it handy, other options may be available depending on the situation.

Organizations like employers typically need to see the original card, but for other purposes, official government-issued documents that contain your SSN may suffice. These alternatives are useful if your card is lost or you are waiting for a replacement.

Acceptable documents often include:

An original Social Security card
A W-2 tax form
A 1099 form
A pay stub that shows your full SSN (though many now redact it for security)

Always ask the requesting organization what specific forms of proof they accept, as requirements can vary. Documents like a birth certificate or certificate of citizenship do not contain your SSN and cannot be used for this purpose.

Navigating the rules around the passport application process can bring up a lot of questions, especially concerning your Social Security number. It’s a topic where federal law, privacy, and practical needs intersect, which can sometimes be confusing.

People often ask about applying without an SSN or wonder where their information goes after they submit it. Let’s address two of the most common questions to give you a clearer picture of how the Social Security Administration and passport agency handle your data.

Yes, you can obtain a new passport even if you have never been issued a Social Security number. While federal law requires applicants to provide an SSN if they have one, it also provides a clear exception for those who do not. The process requires a bit of extra paperwork, but it will not stop you from getting a passport.

If you find yourself in this situation, you must prepare a special statement to include with your application materials, such as your Form DS-11 and birth certificate.

This statement must include the following:

It must be signed and dated.
It must state, “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct: I (or my child) have never been issued a social security number by the Social Security Administration.”

Submitting this signed declaration fulfills the legal requirement, allowing the processing of your passport application to proceed.

When you provide your Social Security number to the Department of State, it is not shared indiscriminately. The passport agency operates under strict privacy laws that govern how your information can be used. Your SSN is shared with other specific government entities for legally mandated reasons only.

The primary organization the Department of State shares your SSN with is the U.S. Department of the Treasury. As per law, this is done to verify that you do not have outstanding federal tax debts or child support obligations that would make you ineligible for a passport. This is a targeted, official use of your information.

Outside of these legally required checks, your SSN is treated as confidential. The passport agency, as an official government organization, is committed to protecting your privacy and does not share your Social Security number with private companies, the public, or other unauthorized entities.

To determine if your passport contains sensitive information such as your Social Security number, carefully review the document for any personal identification. If you’re unsure, consult with professionals or government resources. Additionally, you can visit official channels to find your local passport office for assistance and guidance on this matter.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the relationship between your Social Security Number and your passport is essential for ensuring a smooth application process. While your passport includes various personal details, it does not display your Social Security Number. This underscores the importance of protecting your sensitive information throughout the application journey. By being aware of government requirements and knowing how to safeguard your data, you can navigate this process confidently. If you still have questions or need assistance with your passport application, don’t hesitate to get in touch for support. Your privacy and security are paramount, so take the necessary steps to safeguard your information.

Frequently Asked Questions

You do not need your physical Social Security card for the passport application; you only need to know the number to write it on the form. If you don’t know your number, try to find it on an old tax return or W-2 form before applying for a replacement card from your local Social Security office.

Are There Privacy Concerns When Providing My SSN for a Passport Application?

It is safe to provide your Social Security number on your passport application. The Department of State is an official government organization with strict security measures to protect your sensitive information. Your SSN is used for legally required verification and is not printed on the passport.

What Documents Can Prove My SSN if My Passport Doesn’t Show It?

Your passport book cannot prove your SSN. To verify your Social Security number, you must use documents that display it, such as your original Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form. Documents like a birth certificate or certificate of citizenship are not acceptable for this purpose.