Chaim V'Chessed

U.S. Social Security

Published on January 16, 2023 Print this guide

Learn more about Social Security in Israel here.
Please note: The Social Security Administration in Israel is difficult to reach. Whenever possible, we recommend contacting the offices in the U.S. and even submitting applications there when possible.

Applying for a Child Under Age 12

When applying for a Social Security number for the first time together with a report of birth and passport in the Jerusalem Embassy, a separate application is not necessary. Simply add form SS-5-FS to the rest of the forms you present and request that your child receive a Social Security card.

At an in-person application, only one parent (not the child) needs to be present.

When applying for a Social Security card separately from a first-time passport, the following documents are required (originals plus one copy of each). Certified copies without originals are not acceptable.

  1. Application for a Social Security Card from Abroad, form SS-5-FS, filled out in capital block letters. All questions must be filled out legibly.
  2. Proof of age: Either original U.S. birth certificate (if unavailable, complete Form SSA-L706), foreign birth certificate, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
  3. Proof of U.S. citizenship: Original U.S. birth certificate or valid U.S. passport; original Consular Report of Birth Abroad; or original Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate.
  4. Proof of identity: Original U.S. passport or original foreign passport, unexpired and signed.
  5. If a parent is signing the application, provide proof of parent’s identity: U.S. or foreign passport, unexpired and signed; driver’s license; or country or national I.D. card with a current photo. A parent can sign the form for a child up to age 18; a child can sign the form past age 12.

You are not allowed to submit a Social Security application at an emergency first-time passport appointment.

At the moment, Social Security applications from within Israel can take 10-12 months to be processed.

Please note: At this point in time, the FBU is not providing Social Security appointments for children under age 12. They do offer to process mail-in applications. However, this option is strongly not recommended. Mail-in applications involve sending one’s original documentation, which many times gets lost and is extremely difficult to replace. A safer option would be to apply while visiting the U.S.

Applicants Over Age 12

If the Social Security card applicant is over 12 years old, he or she must appear in person at the Social Security Administration with one parent for an interview. Schedule an appointment by sending a query via their online Contact Form or emailing them at FBU.Jerusalem@ssa.gov. Appear in person with the required documents and copies listed above.

Replacing a Social Security Card

To apply for a replacement, send a query to the FBU via their  Online Contact Form.

Changing Your Name

To change the name on your social security card, send a query to the FBU via their Online Contact Form.

Contacting the office

For any questions or assistance required regarding Social Security, send your query via their online Contact Form or by email to FBU.Jerusalem@ssa.gov..