What Is the Issuing Authority for Social Security Card

If you’re filling out the I-9 and you reach the “issuing authority” field for a Social Security card, you’re not guessing. The organization named there is the Social Security Administration (SSA). The I-9 form is asking for the organization that issued the document.

What is the issuing authority for a Social Security card?

The issuing authority for a Social Security card is the Social Security Administration (SSA).

On the I-9 form, that’s the wording you’re looking for in the “Issuing Authority” field. You can also use the abbreviation SSA—both show up commonly.

Copy-ready answer

• Social Security Administration
• or SSA

What do I put for issuing authority for Social Security on the I-9 form?

On Form I-9, there’s a field labeled “Issuing Authority” for the document you’re entering. If your document is a Social Security card, enter:

• Social Security Administration (full wording), or
• SSA

This should match what’s printed on your card. If you check your Social Security card, you’ll typically see SSA-style wording associated with the issuing organization.

Where to find the issuing authority on a Social Security card

Your Social Security card shows the issuing authority. It’s usually shown in a seal/ring-style area on the card, and it corresponds to the organization that issued the card.

When you’re confirming what to enter, look for the SSA wording on the card and then use that on the I-9.

Practical tip: If you’re deciding between the full name and the abbreviation, start with “Social Security Administration.” If your workplace expects the shorter form, “SSA” is commonly used.

Who issues U.S. Social Security cards?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) issues U.S. Social Security cards.

So if you’re really asking, “who is listed as the issuer on the card?”, the answer is still SSA.

Issuing authority vs. document number for I-9 (what to fill in each field)

People often mix up two different I-9 fields. Here’s the straightforward way to separate them:

Quick checklist for the two common fields

• Issuing Authority (for a Social Security card):

Write “Social Security Administration” or “SSA.”

• Document number (for a Social Security card):

Write the number shown on your Social Security card in the “document number” area for the I-9 form.

(This is the ID number on your card. Issuing authority is the organization name.)

What not to do

• Don’t put your SSN in the issuing authority field.
• Don’t put SSA in the document number field.

If you remember SSA goes in issuing authority and the card number goes in document number, you’ll be fine.

What is the SSN issuing authority (and how it relates to the I-9 field)?

Some people search for “SSN issuing authority,” but for I-9 purposes, what matters is this:

• For the I-9 “Issuing Authority” field, when your document is a Social Security card, the issuing authority is the Social Security Administration (SSA).

There isn’t a separate issuer just for the number. The issuer for the document is still SSA.

Who is my issuing authority for a Social Security card?

For a Social Security card, your issuing authority is the Social Security Administration (SSA).

So on the I-9, enter:

• Social Security Administration
• or SSA

faq roundup

#### Q: What is the SSN issuing authority?

For an I-9 Issuing Authority entry for a Social Security card, the issuing authority is Social Security Administration (SSA). Write “Social Security Administration” or “SSA.”

#### Q: What do I put for issuing authority for Social Security?

On the I-9 form, put Social Security Administration or SSA in the issuing authority field for a Social Security card.

#### Q: Who is the issuing authority for a Social Security card?

The issuing authority is Social Security Administration (SSA).

Before you submit your I-9, double-check the issuing authority wording on your Social Security card to make sure it matches what you enter.