The document number on a Social Security card is a unique identifier assigned to the cardholder. The format and location of the document number may vary depending on the version of the card. The document number is typically a nine-digit number, and it is not the same as the individuals Social Security number (SSN).
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Older versions of the Social Security card: Prior to 1972, Social Security cards were issued in local Social Security offices, and the Area Number on the card represented the state in which it was issued. The document number on these older cards may not follow the nine-digit format and may not be a unique identifier.
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Newer versions of the Social Security card: Since 1972, when the Social Security Administration (SSA) began assigning SSNs and issuing cards centrally from Baltimore, the Area Number on the card has been based on the ZIP code in the mailing address provided on the application for the original Social Security card. The document number on these newer cards is a unique nine-digit number, and it is not related to the individual's SSN.
When completing an I-9 form for employment verification, the HR staff may be required to enter the document number from the Social Security card. The document number should be entered in the respective space on the I-9 form, along with the card's description ("Social Security Card") and the issuing authority ("Social Security Administration").
