Understanding the Assignment Process
This article aims to help you understand how Social Security Numbers are assigned. It includes an overview of the history of the Social Security Administration (SSA), a federal government agency. It also explains how new numbers are assigned using a randomization process. Additionally, we’ll provide an overview of the previous process for numbers issued before 2011.
History of the Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration (SSA) plays a vital role in American society, managing the assignment of Social Security numbers (SSNs) which are essential for individual identification in various governmental and financial processes within the United States. Understanding the SSA’s history sheds light on its crucial function.
The SSA’s story began during the Great Depression. On August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. This landmark legislation aimed to reduce poverty among the elderly by establishing a national retirement program. The Social Security Administration was officially created in 1935 as an independent agency with the significant responsibility of implementing this social insurance system.
Since its inception, the SSA’s responsibilities have grown considerably. While initially focused on retirement benefits, the agency now also manages disability insurance, survivor benefits, and the issuance of Social Security numbers (SSNs). Today, the SSA continues to be a critical agency, administering social programs that impact millions of Americans.
Social Security Numbers: Purpose and Structure
Here’s a revised version of the text, aiming for improved clarity:
“Social Security numbers (SSNs) function as unique identifiers for individuals in the United States. Although not originally designed as a national identification document, the SSN has evolved into the primary national identification number since its introduction. While their primary purpose remains tracking earnings and benefits within the Social Security system, SSNs have become essential for various other applications, including taxation, credit reporting, and identity verification.
An SSN consists of nine digits arranged in a specific format: XXX-XX-XXXX. The first three digits, called the area number, were initially assigned based on an individual’s geographic region. However, to enhance security and prevent fraud, this practice was later changed to a randomized assignment. Similarly, the middle two digits, known as the group number, hold no specific geographic or demographic meaning and are also assigned randomly. The final four digits constitute the serial number, which is assigned sequentially within each group number.”
Assignment Process
The assignment of SSNs is crucially managed to ensure accuracy and prevent duplication. SSNs are typically issued at birth for U.S. citizens and permanent residents through a process coordinated with state vital statistics agencies, which issue birth certificates. Non-citizens authorized to work in the United States can also obtain SSNs for employment.
When an individual applies for an SSN, whether at birth or later in life, they must provide certain documents to verify their identity, citizenship or immigration status, and age. These documents may include a birth certificate, passport, or other forms of identification deemed acceptable by the SSA.
Once verified, the SSA assigns the applicant a unique Social Security number (SSN) and issues a Social Security card bearing that number. The card serves as physical proof of the assigned Social Security number and is a crucial document that individuals must safeguard.
How Social Security Numbers Were Issued Before Randomization
Before 1972, SSA field offices assigned social security numbers, which merely established that one of the SSA offices in that State issued an individual’s card. Beginning in 1972, the central Social Security Administration Office began issuing numbers.
The Social Security number consists of nine (9) digits, usually written in the format 123-45-6789. The first three digits denote the area (or State) where the original Social Security number application was filed.
The first three digits of a person’s Social Security number were determined by the ZIP Code of the mailing address shown on the application for a Social Security number.
Each area’s group number (middle two (2) digits) ranges from 01 to 99 but is not assigned in consecutive order. For administrative reasons, the group numbers issued first consist of the odd numbers from 01 through 09 and then the even numbers from 10 through 98, within each area allocated to a State.
After all numbers in group 98 of a particular area have been issued, the EVEN Groups 02 through 08 are used, followed by ODD Groups 11 through 99.
Within each group, the serial numbers (the last four digits) run consecutively from 0001 through 9999.
The chart below shows how Group numbers were assigned before randomization:
- ODD – 01, 03, 05, 07, 09——EVEN – 10 to 98
- EVEN – 02, 04, 06, 08——ODD – 11 to 99
List of Social Security Number Prefixes for Each State
Following is a list of social security number prefixes for each state. The listing is organized in ascending order by SSN prefix, with the corresponding issuing state listed. Remember, these apply only to numbers issued before 2011 under the old system.
SSN Prefix = Issuing State
001-003 = New Hampshire
004-007 = Maine
008-009 = Vermont
010-034 = Massachusetts
035-039 = Rhode Island
040-049 = Connecticut
050-134 = New York
135-158 = New Jersey
159-211 = Pennsylvania
212-220 = Maryland
211-222 = Delaware
223-231 = Virginia
232 = North Carolina
232 = West Virginia
233-236 = West Virginia
237-246 = North Carolina
247-251 = South Carolina
252-260 = Georgia
261-267 = Florida (Also 589-595)
268-302 = Ohio
303-317 = Indiana
318-361 = Illinois
362-386 = Michigan
387-399 = Wisconsin
400-407 = Kentucky
408-415 = Tennessee
416-424 = Alabama
425-428 = Mississippi
429-432 = Arkansas
433-439 = Louisiana
440-448 =Oklahoma
449-467 = Texas
468-477 = Minnesota
478 – 485 = Iowa
486 – 500 = Missouri
501 – 502 = North Dakota
503 – 504 = South Dakota
505 – 508 = Nebraska
509 – 515 = Kansas
516 – 517 = Montana
518 – 519 = Idaho
520 = Wyoming
521 – 524 = Colorado
525 = New Mexico
526 = Arizona
526 = New Mexico
527 = Arizona
528 – 529 = Utah
530 = Nevada
531 – 539 = Washington
540 – 544 = Oregon
545-573 = California
574 = Alaska
575-576 = Hawaii
577-579 = District of Columbia
580 = Virgin Islands
580-584 = Puerto Rico
585 = New Mexico
586 = Guam & American Samoa
586 = All Other Pacific Territories
587-588 = Mississippi
589-595 = Florida (also 261-267)
600-601 = Arizona (designated)
602-626 = California (designated)
700-728 = Railroad Retirement
729-999 = Not used until randomization was introduced.
Note: The number 666 has never been used and will not be used in the future.
Please post a comment below if you are aware of any new number ranges.
SSN Requirements
No law directly requires a natural-born United States citizen to apply for a Social Security number to live or work in the United States. However, some people still live without a number because they view it as a voluntary government program. Those who don’t get a number find it difficult to engage in ordinary acts of commerce or banking activities because they can’t provide an SSN.
Additional Resources
To learn more about the process, visit the Social Security Administration website. On the website, you can:
- Get more information on the assignment and randomization process
- Find the office nearest you and get directions using our office locator. Just enter your zip code.
- Learn how to get cards and how to request replacement cards
Questions and Comments
The Social Security Administration plays a pivotal role in the lives of Americans by administering Social Security numbers and managing social benefit programs. Understanding the history and structure of their assignment process is essential for navigating various aspects of public and private life in the United States. As the SSA continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of society, SSNs remain a fundamental component of national identity and security.
In summary, SSNs are not merely numbers but identifiers that link individuals to critical services and benefits, reflecting the enduring legacy of the Social Security Administration’s commitment to social welfare and national stability.
If you have any questions, please post a comment below.
The first 3 digits may or may not match the state you were born in. In years past, our parents did not always immediately apply for ssn’s at the time of our birth. It is quite possible to have been born in one state and then moving to another state prior to being assigned a number. So, if born in one state and your parent did not apply for ssn until later in childhood and you then lived in a different state your number will match the state in which you lived in when you were assigned the number. The second digits are group codes that correspond with year of birth. Then the last four digits are random, yet sequential numbers. Back in say 1970s and 1980s if you were born a twin and your parents applied for your ssn at the same time it is quite possible that your numbers will be all but identical, having the exact same first 7 or 8 numbers and only the last digit or last two digits were different. This is how credit files have become mixed and merged making it nearly impossible to maintain an accurate credit file due to same similar name, address and ssn numbers.
What does a Social Security beginning with 200-75-XXXX indicate? I really didn’t understand the middle number, but I believe the first 3 numbers indicate under the old system that the number was applied for in PA.
I didn’t know the numbers were randomized rather than regionalized which makes a lot of sense. I’m a 370 from Michigan. Odd question… why is the prefix 666 unavailable? It’s just a number. I understand it’s Christian significance but it is only a series of digits and this is not a “Christian” domain. I am actually, but my faith is mine not someone else’s concern. The relevance of that number is from The New Testament (St. John’s Revelation)… and that is not fully explained or understood.
666 is probably not used for the same reason that there is not a 13th floor in tall buildings, some people’s superstitions.
i need my grandfathers ssn because he has passed recently and ppl are still calling to collect nothing but they dont believe me they want his number
how can i get it
If you are a family member, then you need to look at the DEATH CERTIFICATE. The social security number will be on it. Contact the funeral home, they will have a copy in their files. If you dont; know who handled the service, contact the cemetary, their records should show who the funeral director was. WARNING, if you are not a DIRECT family member no one will give you a copy or any information.
Is a SSN that has the first 5 digits all matching valid? I came across one on a client’s paperwork that had all the same number in the first 5 places. Only the last 4 were different.
I can’t say whether or not the numbers in your particular case are valid, but it would have been possible under the “old” system of issuing numbers. The first three numbers are based don’t the geographic area. The next two numbers are the group numbers, and those numbers are allocated to particular areas within a state.
You say that 729-999 are not in use, but my wife has a SSN that starts with 881. She is from France and got a green card in 2012, and that was the prefix assigned.
Then she got her SSN after June 25, 2011 when they started using random numbers.
Can a person’s prefix be different from the state the were born in? My prefix suggests I was born in Washington, but I was not.
Can group numbers be used to narrow down a location within a state (prior to randomization)?
It is difficult to find official information on the specific manner in which the numbers were issued. However, the group numbers weren’t based on a geographical area. The group numbers were determined by the sequential order in which they were assigned.
With the advent of some financial institutions wishing to make you give them the last six or your social security number, it seems as though they do not understand nor does the government understand the sanctity that should be afforded Social Security identification numbers. With crooks having access to screaming fast computers today, it really is not much of a problem with a nine-digit password to eventually obtain it by searching. And it makes it much easier with the last four that the majority of institutions require for identification. However, with the last six, you might as well just give them the entire number and see your personal security go down the tube. This should be a top priority of our government to band the use of any more numbers being given out to anybody for identification.
Are there duplicates of the last four digits?
Yes. There are social security numbers that have the last four digits that match.
Are SSN’s for noncitizens coded to shos they are not citjzens?
I believe the SSA assigns the numbers using the randomization process that was put in place in 2011. So, they shouldn’t be coded to identify that an individual is a non-citizen. Check the SSA.gov website for more information.
I’m wondering the same thing,
Please remember: the SSN is assigned based on the address provided on the application submitted to the Social Security Administration. This address is supposed to be the applicant’s permanent address. If you have a question, you should contact the Social Security Administration.
>>> ASSIGNMENT METHODOLOGY USED STARTING JUNE 26, 2011 <<<
The U.S. SSN (Social Security Number) is assigned RANDOMLY. However, the methodology is not public knowledge.
Concerning? I was noting my son’s ssn this year while gathering tax information, and it starts with 881. My concern is that it won’t be valid when he goes to work- as it says numbers starting with 729-999 = Currently not in use????
What could have happened?
It was randomized near the year 1972 because some areas ran out of numbers.
I am a Veteran living in the Houston, Texas area and am enrolled in VA Healthcare. I have recently discovered, when checking in at the DeBakey VA Hospital in Houston, that their VA computer shows that there are 3 Veterans in their system,
including myself, that have the same exact last name and the same exact last 4 numbers of their SSN. Should I be concerned?
We’re not in a position to interpret whether it is something that should be of concern. However, it may be something that you should inquire about with VA Healthcare. It is possible that you may have multiple accounts within their system. The records that you see with the same last name and same last four numbers of the SSN may all be referring to you. You may want to give them a call to get more information.
Here it said that the 800 are not in use . 800 are good numbers or bugs number please advice
The SSA changed the way they issue social security numbers, so numbers beginning with 800 are certainly possible.
Both my kids born 2004 & 2009 are 766 and it’s now required to file for them at birth to which they were born in FL but it says the 766 aren’t in use yet when they have been in use for at least 15years now. Strange.
I was born in S.C. but the first 3 digits show it came from Arkansas
I live in NE. Everyone in my family and my first born all start with the 505, 508. This past year I had a baby. His SSN starts with 358. Why is this?
your would indicate you and your family was born in Nebraska, But your sons would indicate he was born in Illinois, so if he wasn’t that is strange, better check into so he don’t have problems later in life with his number
its not where you were born that determines the number, it is the state where the application for an original Social Security number was filed. In my case, I didn’t file till I was 13 and had moved multiple times.
The numbers are now picked at random & are not picked by state. The first three numbers of your baby’s ssn have nothing to do with his state of birth or the state in which his ssn was applied for. Since 2011, the Social Security Administration has been assigning SSNs by randomization. This process eliminates the geographical significance of the first 3 numbers.
I was born in 1980 so my social security number should be from the state I was born in since the change was not started till 2011 where your social security number is pick random
My daughter was born in Connecticut it was issued a social security number while living in Connecticut but she has a New York social security number
I was born in Georgia and I have a New York number. My cousin was born the same month and in the same hospital as me and she has a Georgia number. What could be the reason?
I have an FL ssn and i wasnt born in FL accoding to my birth certificate.
I was born in Alabama, but my SSN was issued at about age 8 (this was many years ago) while living in North Dakota. Therefore, I have a North Dakota SSN.
i have a question it says the 1st 3 numbers say where one was born i have 149 the list says that is the number for new Jersey and i was born in Oklahoma. why?
The first three numbers actually represent the geographic area where the social security number was issued, rather than where a person was born.
In 2011 the first 3 of 808 was used. Every where I have seen says it isn’t, but it was given to my child.