Social Security cards no longer proof of citizenship?

[CAS]

I've been reading/hearing a lot about this lately, and it does not make sense.

First, only citizens can obtain Social Security cards without special right-to-work designations on the cards.

Second, it occurred to me proof of citizenship is the reason I obtained one in the first place. When one of my classes in high school was preparing for a trip to Canada, our teacher advised us to get social security cards in case we were asked at the border. She said it'd be easier than carrying around our birth certificates.

So would anyone here know if this is no longer valid, and, if not, why not?

 

[Yvonne Smith]

I have read that there are a lot of stolen SS cards with identity theft, and this makes it hard to tell if the card is actually valid or not. People have been accused of crimes or have huge medical bills because someone stole their identity and committed a crime of some sort.
Apparently, they do not check to see if multiple people have the same card unless the person starts an inquiry into the possibility, and then you have to prove that the card is actually yours and not the person’s who stole the identity.

Even more confusing, many of the illegals now have stolen SS cards, or forged ones, which they are using to get jobs or receive government benefits. Some of the illegals share names and cards, so there can be multiple with the same forged or stolen cards.

As far as I know, they still accept a SS card as proof of who you are, and it is one of the requirements for getting a passport.

 

[Jacob Petersheim]

Don't the cards say right on them that they are not to be used as ID?

 

[Axel Slingerland]

As far as I know, they still accept a SS card as proof of who you are, and it is one of the requirements for getting a passport.

There is a ton of conflicting information about this, even from the Social Security Administration, but Social Security cards were not intended be used as identification, as they do not have all of the typical features of an identification card, such as they lack a photo, date of birth, etc.

 

[Jacob Petersheim]

I have had an EDL for a long time now. These are a superset of Real ID and can be used in lieu of a passport in many cases:

Unlike a standard Michigan license or ID, an enhanced license or ID can be used in place of a U.S. passport to re-enter the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean.

You are required to provide one of the following legal presence documents:​

• Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
• Certified birth certificate with stamp or raised seal issued by a U.S. government unit or U.S. territory government office
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the U.S. State Department (FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545)
• Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
• Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570, N-578)

Documents may need to be verified by the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) System.​

​

As part of your enhanced license or ID application, you will be asked a series of questions about your legal presence document.
​

If your legal name is different from what is on your birth certificate or legal presence document, you must show official proof of the name change with at least one of the following documents:​

• An original marriage certificate
• A certified divorce decree issued in the U.S.
• A court order

If you’ve changed your name several times, provide documentation for each legal name change.
​

You are required to provide one of the following documents:​

• Social Security card
• W-2 Form
• SSA 1099 form or non-SSA 1099 form
• Pay stub containing your name and Social Security number

If you don’t have one of the previously listed documents, you can provide an official document with your full name and Social Security number for staff to review.​

​

Please note: You may be required to correct your information with the Social Security Administration before applying for a license or ID.
​

If you were not previously issued a Michigan photo driver's license or ID card, you are required to provide one of the following documents:​

• Valid U.S. passport or passport card
• Driver's license or ID card issued by another state (valid, or expired less than 1 year)
• Government issued employee photo ID card (federal, state or municipal)
• U.S. military photo ID card (DD-2, DD-1173, or CAC card) - the card must be valid or expired less than 1 year
• Photo tribal ID card from a federally recognized Native American tribe

Applicants under age 18 may have a parent or legal guardian present their driver's license or ID card (valid or expired less than 1 year)
​

You are required to provide two of the following documents:​

• A utility or credit card bill issued within the last 90 days – electronic documents are accepted
• An account statement from a bank or other financial institution issued within the last 90 days – electronic documents are accepted
• Michigan high school, college, or university report cards or transcripts
• Mortgage, lease, or rental agreement
• Pay stub or earnings statement issued with the name and address of the employee
• Life, health, auto, or home insurance policy
• Federal, state, or local government documents
• Michigan title and registration with current address

If you don’t have one of the previously listed documents, you can provide an official document with your full name and address for staff to review.​

 

[Don Alaska]

Don't the cards say right on them that they are not to be used as ID?

Mine does, but it was issued many years ago. I don't know if that is still true. I think the Biden Administration issued some SS cards to illegals to allow them to get jobs here as well.

 

[Joe Riley]

PA has gone to Real ID Driver's License. It is needed to fly. A passport will also work. It includes driver's middle names.

 

[Don Alaska]

PA has gone to Real ID Driver's License. It is needed to fly. A passport will also work. It includes driver's middle names.

I think all states had to do that by federal law as of May 2025. At least that was my understanding. We need it to fly from here. A passport works, but TSA puts you on the "way slow line" if you want to use a passport.

 

[Axel Slingerland]

I think the Biden Administration issued some SS cards to illegals to allow them to get jobs here as well.

What's wrong with that? Don't forget what SS Cards are. Proof that you have a SS account. People with legit SS accounts and jobs pay taxes. I look at it this way. If an illegal worker's house catches fire, do they call an illegal Fire Department? No. Our Fire Departments that our tax dollars pay for have to put that fire out because the illegal workers are here, when they could be doing something for tax payers. I know the old saying that "Everyone must pay their fair share" isn't accurate because not everyone has to. But if someone was rich why would they be working here illegally? Only working stiffs pay taxes, and if they are going to live and work here, they should pay taxes like the rest of us. If stoned 60's hippies can figure it out, why can't everyone? "A**, Gas or Grass, nobody Rides Free."