If you requested an SSN on your I-765, it will be mailed automatically and you do not need an SSA appointment now; if you did not request it, apply with SSA after your physical EAD arrives.
“My I-765 EAD card was just produced for my marriage-based AOS. Will I receive my SSN automatically in the mail, or do I need to make an appointment at the SSA office?”
Summary
Receiving the EAD first does not mean your SSN request failed—the cards are mailed separately. If the SSN is still missing 14 days after the EAD arrives, SSA has a specific follow-up process.
Your route depends on whether you requested an SSN in the SSA section of the Form I-765 that produced this EAD.
Do not make an SSA appointment now. SSA says the I-765 process automatically sends the information to SSA, eliminates the need for an office visit, and results in a separate SSN-card mailing to your application address; allow 14 days after receiving the EAD (SSA EBE page; POMS RM 10205.700(B)).
Wait until the physical EAD arrives, then apply for an original SSN through SSA. In-person help requires an appointment, and the application is free (SSA EBE page; Form SS-5).
Once 14 days have passed since you received the EAD, use SSA’s online SSN service to make an appointment or contact SSA by phone. Bring the EAD so SSA can search for an assigned or pending number using the A-number shown on it (SSA EBE page; POMS RM 10205.700(C)).
If you requested an SSN only on your pending I-485, that separate route is tied to green-card approval—not production of your EAD.
Read the full explanationHide the full explanation
Watch out for
Next steps
Use these steps to choose the correct route and avoid either applying too early or waiting too long.
First
Confirm whether your I-765 requested an SSN
Read the SSA/SSN portion of your I-765 filing or its receipt; POMS RM 10205.700 says the receipt indicates whether an SSN was requested. If yes, follow the automatic-mailing step. If no, follow the SSA-appointment step.
Requirements
If you requested an SSN
Wait for the separate SSN envelope
Do not make an SSA appointment yet. SSA mails the SSN card separately to the I-765 address, with no SSN application fee. Allow 14 days from the date you receive the physical EAD—not from the card-production notice.
Requirements
If you did not request an SSN
Apply through SSA after the EAD arrives
After receiving the physical EAD, make an appointment at the local SSA office serving you through https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp, or call 1-800-772-1213 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. Ask for an appointment to apply for an original SSN, submit Form SS-5, and take the original documents; the fee is $0.
Requirements
14 days after receiving the EAD
Escalate a missing automatic card
If the requested SSN card has not arrived, use https://secure.ssa.gov/ossnap/public/landingOSsnap to make an appointment or call 1-800-772-1213. Bring the EAD; under POMS RM 10205.700(C), SSA can search for an assigned number using the A-number shown on it and resolve the pending or missing-card record.
Requirements
Legal sources
The answer comes from the Social Security Administration’s Enumeration-Beyond-Entry policy, public SSN instructions, and Form SS-5.
SSA Enumeration-Beyond-Entry webpage
If the I-765 included an SSN request, no SSA application is needed now; the card comes separately within the current 14-day timeframe.
Form I-765 section
If you apply for an SSN card using Form I-765, you do not have to contact a Social Security office to apply for an SSN card. We will mail your SSN card separately to the address you listed on your application. You should receive your SSN card no later than 14 days after receiving your EAD.
SSA Enumeration-Beyond-Entry webpage
After 14 days, SSA permits follow-up through its online service and requires an appointment for in-person help.
If You Do Not Receive the SSN Card
You can contact us if you do not receive an SSN card 14 days after receiving your EAD, "Green Card", or Certificate of Naturalization. Please have this flyer and your EAD, "Green Card" or Certificate of Naturalization as it may help us answer your questions. If you applied for an SSN card using form I-765 or Form I-485, you can Use Our Online Service To Obtain A Social Security Number Card (ssa.gov) and make an appointment. If you need in-person help, you must make an appointment at a local office.
SSA Enumeration-Beyond-Entry webpage
If the I-765 did not request an SSN, the earliest time to apply directly through SSA is after receiving the physical EAD.
If You Did Not Request an SSN
If you did not request an SSN card on your I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization” Form I-485 "Application for Lawful Permanent Residency or to adjust Status" or Form N-400 "Application for Naturalization" , you can contact your local Field office by visiting Field Office Locator | SSA to apply for your SSN card AFTER you receive your Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766) or LPR card or (Form I-551) or Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550) from USCIS.
POMS RM 10205.700
SSA’s current operating policy confirms the automatic process, how to identify whether an SSN was requested, and the 14-day follow-up point.
B-C
When an applicant submits Form I-765, USCIS provides the applicant with a receipt indicating if the applicant requested an SSN. Once USCIS approves the application, USCIS electronically transmit the enumeration data to SSA via the EBE interface. After SSA receives the enumeration data via the EBE interface, the enumeration system automatically assigns an original SSN or issues a replacement SSN card, as appropriate. Applicants should receive an SSN card after 14 days of receiving the DHS document.
Form SS-5 (12-2024)
A direct SSN application is free and requires original or issuer-certified evidence, including current DHS immigration evidence such as an EAD.
pages 1-2
Applying for a Social Security Card is free! We can only accept original documents or documents certified by the custodian of the original record. Notarized copies or photocopies which have not been certified by the custodian of the record are not acceptable. You must provide a current unexpired document issued to you by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) showing your immigration status, such as Form I-551, I-94, or I-766.
SSA Enumeration-Beyond-Entry webpage
An SSN request made through Form I-485 is tied to permanent-resident approval and the green card, not to EAD production.
Form I-485 section
If USCIS approves your application for LPR status, we will mail your SSN card or replacement card to the address listed on your application. You should receive your SSN card no later than 14 days after you receive your Permanent Resident Card/Form I-551/ “Green Card” from USCIS.
Older SSA Form I-765 SSN handout
This older official handout explains why some materials still show seven business days; current SSA policy now uses 14 days.
page 1
You should receive your SSN card no later than 7 business days after you receive your EAD from USCIS.
SSA Contact by Phone
This is SSA’s current national telephone number and published calling hours.
You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.
These are the official SSA rules from the dated instruments and current agency pages cited here; rules can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.
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