Chaim V'Chessed

U.S. Social Security

Published on May 31, 2026 Print this guide

Applicants under Age 12

The application can be submitted either in-person or by mail, either in Israel or in the US.

In Person in Israel:

When applying for a CRBA and first-time passport, applicants can also apply for a Social Security number by submitting form SS-5-FS (see CRBA guide for more details).

Note

It is strongly recommended to provide a U.S. mailing address as this may shorten the processing and delivery time by a few months.

Processing time for Social Security applications, when applied for within Israel is approximately 4 – 12 months.

Currently the Embassy is not offering separate Social Security appointments. Therefore this is your opportunity to apply in-person and not be required to submit original documents at a later time.

In Person in the US:

Processing time for Social Security applications, when applied for in person, is approximately 2 – 4 weeks.

To apply for a new Social Security number in the US, see this link to schedule an appointment. You will be required to create or login to a login.gov portal. See here for required documents. 

Note

Applications via mail are possible both in Israel and within the US. However, it requires sending in original documents. The turnaround time in the US is both more secure and quicker.

By Mail in Israel:

Processing time for Social Security applications when applied for by mail within Israel is approximately 4-12 months.

To apply by mail within Israel the following documents should be prepared:

  1. Application form SS5-FS. (include U.S. mailing address in section 16)
  2. Proof of citizenship –  signed US passport or CRBA of child
  3. Proof of age – CRBA (foreign birth certificate might be accepted)
  4. Proof of ID for parent and child
    • For child: signed passport (US or foreign)
    • For parent: signed passport or valid driver’s license
  5.  The original documents will be returned via Israel post.  Click here to arrange and pay for a pre-paid postage label from the Doar. This should be printed and submitted along with your other documents. The Social Security Card will be delivered for free to the address on your application form. 
Tip

One document that fulfills more than one of the above requirements can be used for both. There is no need to submit 3 separate documents (e.g., an applicant can submit their US birth certificate or CRBA as proof of age and citizenship and a passport as proof of identity).

Mail the application with registered mail, Doar Shlichim, to :

Federal Benefits Unit

U.S. Embassy 

P O BOX 290

9100201 Jerusalem, Israel:

Save your tracking number. 

By Mail in the US:

Processing time for Social Security applications, when mailed within the US, is approximately 2 – 4 weeks. 

The requirements can differ from branch to branch. Please see  here or contact the Social Security branch directly before mailing in the application. 

The following documents are generally required and can be mailed with FedEx from within the US:

  1. Application form SS5-FS (include U.S. mailing address in section 16)
  2. Proof of citizenship – signed US passport or CRBA of child
  3. Proof of age – CRBA (foreign birth certificate might be accepted)
  4. Proof of ID –
    • For child: signed passport (US or foreign)
    • For parent: signed passport or valid driver’s license

If the child does not have a passport: Send a letter from a US doctor (or school when relevant) on official stationary, with the child’s name, date of birth, and names and details of parents. Include the child’s CRBA to prove citizenship.  

Mail to the nearest Social Security Administration. Find the address of your local branch here. Clarify with the branch first if they accept mail-in applications as some branches (ie. Monsey) do not!

For example, in New York:

US Social Security Administration

154 Pierrepont Street 6th floor

Brooklyn NY 11201

Applicants Ages 12-18

Applicants over age 12 must apply in person with one parent at the Social Security Administration.

If you would like to apply in Israel, request an appointment by emailing FBU.Jerusalem@ssa.gov. As it is extremely difficult to receive an appointment, include a scan of your child’s passport, CRBA and proof of your child’s residency in Israel. 

At the appointment, submit the following original documents plus a copy of each: 

  1. Proof of citizenship – signed US passport or CRBA of child
  2. Proof of age – CRBA (foreign birth certificate may be accepted)
  3. Proof of ID of child: signed passport (US or foreign)
  4. If a parent signs the application: parent’s ID (U.S. or foreign unexpired and signed passport, driver’s license; or photo ID card)

Replace or Amend Social Security Card

If you would like to apply for a Social Security number in the US, see this link to schedule an appointment. You will be required to create or login to a login.gov portal. See here for required documents. 

To replace or amend a social security card within Israel, email FBU.Jerusalem@ssa.gov for information. To do the process in the United States, see here.

Learn more about Social Security in Israel here.