U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that applicants filing for lawful permanent resident status are now able to apply for a social security number (SSN) or a replacement social security card as part of the adjustment of status application process. USCIS revised Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to include additional questions needed to apply for an SSN or replacement card. The updated form, dated 03/23/21, will become mandatory starting October 13, 2021.
After approving Form I-485, in most cases, USCIS will electronically transmit the data to the Social Security Administration (SSA), which will then assign an original SSN or issue a replacement card to the applicant. According to USCIS, this expansion of their partnership with the SSA should save applicants time and result in a more efficient system. Applicants should receive their new or replacement card from the SSA within two weeks of receiving their green card from USCIS.