My Social Security card looks like this:
My employer wants to see a "Social Security Account Number Card Without Employment Restriction." I'm not exactly sure what the "Employment Restriction" refers to. I was born in the US, and was given a "normal" SS card at birth. How do I tell if it has an Employment Restriction?
There is a page on the Social Security Website that describes the types of cards ,but doesn't provide pictures.
We issue three types of Social Security cards. All cards show your name and Social Security number.
Shows your name and Social Security number and lets you work without restriction. We issue it to:
- U.S. citizens; and
- People lawfully admitted to the United States on a permanent basis.
Shows your name and number with notes, "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION." We issue this type of card to people lawfully admitted to the United States on a temporary basis who have DHS authorization to work.
Shows your name and number with notes, "NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT." We issue it to people from other countries:
- Who are lawfully admitted to the United States without work authorization from DHS, but with a valid non-work reason for needing a Social Security number; or
- Who need a number because of a federal law requiring a Social Security number to get a benefit or service.
[Edit - not by original author]
I located an image of the different types of cards.
The card you have is fine. If you have a passport or a birth certificate, you can bring that too, and you'll be good.
The people at your company asking for this know what to look for; they probably want to make sure they have the right stuff on file for your I-9 form.
