General information
Everyone must apply for a social
security number after his entry to the US.
This number serves as your tax payer identification number
and will be used for your employer's payroll.
If you have a temporary visa it will be written on it " valid
for work only with INS authorization "
If you just apply for a social security number without working
it 'll be written " Not valid for employment ".
Your employer must have this number in order to withhold taxes
and to issue your paycheck .
You will also need this number to open a bank account or obtain
a state driver's license.
To locate the social security office in your area , call :
1 800 772 1213 for informatics and directions
; you will need to know the postal code of the area you are
in .
To apply for a social security card 
take the following items in person to the nearest social security
office :
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Passport with your visa and I-94 form
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IAP 66 form
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Sponsor letter or your special visa with the working
papers authorization.
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If your passport is less than 1 year old , be sure to
bring with you an official government document such
as :birth certificate, driver license.
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Your social security card should be mailed to you within 2
weeks minimum 4 weeks maximum, from the date of application.
Always request a temporary certificate (form SSA-5028 )
when you apply for the card, it's a proof that you have applied
for the card.
Don't forget to put your name on the mailbox, because most
of the mailmen aren't allow to deliver social security cards,
without knowing the name of the person on the mailbox. The
apartment number is not enough !
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You will be asked for your ID when driving, if
you want to buy alcohol or go into night-clubs.Anyway always
keep it with you...Don't forget the Driver license is the
main ID in the States. The Driver License can be temporary
delivered or given to you for a regular period of 6 years
and renewable for the cost of around 10$ .You can also get
for around 5$ an Identification card that looks like the driver
license but instead of saying "driver license"
it says "identification card ".
To get that Identification card go to the nearest Motor and
Vehicles Department with your Passport and your Visa and they'll
deliver it to you in 30 min.If You are under 21, the background
or the outline of your picture will be in a different color.
If you are over 21 years the outline will be in an other color...Usually
for people under 21 it's Blue or Red, and when you've reached
21 years it's Green, depending on the States your are in.The
expiration of the card last usually after 4 years.It shows
on it the date of delivery , date of expiration, your height,
your computerized picture and your address.
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As a Newcomer, your passport remains the only proof of identification
to the US authorities. If you are willing to stay for a longer
period than 3 months in the United-States, you will have to
get an American ID such as an American Driver License, which
is the main Identity Card.Your Student card can also be a
proof of identification.Check the Above about the Identification
card you can get for around 5$.
*Note: To go to a night club that serves alcohol you'll
need to show proof of identification that you are 21 or over,
some clubs don't serve alcohol and will only ask you to be
over 18.
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The Consular registration is free and not obligatory, but
is strongly recommended. This approach is reserved to persons
that will be on the American territory for a minimum period
of 8 months. That allows the Consulate to better know the
persons of his colony and apprehend their problems… The Advantages
of the Consular Registration :
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A proof to the American Authorities, that you are
under the protection of your consulate.
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Get some officials documents easily and at a cheaper
price.
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Get detax on objects bought in your home country (around
300$ minimum by shop ! )
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Being on the mailing list of your consulate.
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Being aware of events organized by your home country
in the United States.
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How to register to your Consulate ?
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1) Fill out the appropriate registration
form.
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2) Identification card (ID).
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3) Passport (copy of the 6 first pages)
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4) Recent photocopy of your birth-act.
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5) For the persons who are married
their" family record book".
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6) For men under 50 , all military
documents, about their military situation.
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7) 2 recent passport photos.
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