Social Security/Tax ID Number
Please note that the following information is meant to be used only by Florida State University faculty, staff, students, and potential students of Florida State University and only in the context of international visits to FSU specifically. It is not intended to be used and should not be construed as general legal advice.
Social Security Number
If a scholar is receiving income or payment from a U.S. source, they are eligible for a Social Security number and must apply for this number (if they do not already have one from a previous stay in the U.S.) before they can be paid by FSU. The Social Security number cannot be obtained while abroad The scholar must apply in person for a Social Security number at the Social Security Administration at 2002 Old St. Augustine Rd., Suite 12 (directions are provided at check-in with the International Center), and should provide all of their immigration information – passport, visa, I-94, and DS-2019 form. The DS-2019 form for scholars expressly authorizes employment in the capacity indicated on the form, so no further documentation of employment is needed. It may be helpful for the scholar, though, to bring their offer letter they received from the inviting department prior to arrival. It is important that the scholar point out or mention that they are a research scholar, not a student, when applying for the number. The Research Scholar designation appears in box 4 of the DS-2019 form. If the scholar encounters any problems with their application, they should have the Social Security representative call the exchange visitor (J) advisor at the International Center during their appointment with the Social Security Administration.
If a scholar is not receiving U.S. income or payments, they are technically not eligible for a Social Security number. Scholars do not need a Social Security number for setting up utilities, getting a driver’s license, or establishing a bank account in the U.S. For advice on getting settled in Tallahassee without the Social Security number, please see Living in Tallahassee.
If a scholar has previously been issued a Social Security number during a previous stay as a scholar or student, this number is still valid and should be used. If the scholar has forgotten the number or misplaced their card, they can and should apply for a replacement rather than a new number.
Upon a scholar’s application for the Social Security number, they will receive a letter indicating that they have applied for a number but that there will either be a wait to receive the card or further checks on their status are required before the application can be completed. Either of these letters may be submitted to the inviting department at FSU in order for them to be entered into payroll for a period of 9 weeks. Once the Social Security card is received, the scholar should provide a copy to the payroll representative in their department so that the initial 9 week appointment may be extended. The scholar should also update the FSU Card Center with the new number in order to ensure that the card continues to be connected to their FSU record. If it takes longer than 9 weeks for the card to be received, the scholar should re-apply in person at the Social Security administration and submit another receipt letter to the department in order to be put on to payroll for another 9 week period.
Temporary Identification Number (999 or 849)
Inviting departments should obtain a temporary identification number for their scholars by e-mailing Leah Paul in Graduate Admissions. She will need the scholars first and last name, date of birth, citizenship, gender, and the scholar’s e-mail address. The number will be e-mailed as soon as it is assigned.
The temporary identification number can be used for university housing applications, for the insurance plan offered by Thagard Student Health Center, and for courtesy appointments for unpaid scholars. Departments should remind scholars that the number is given to them for campus use only (university housing, university insurance), that it is not a Social Security number or federally issued number, and that it should not be used for any purpose outside of campus (off-campus apartment leases, bank accounts, cell phone contracts, etc.).
Payroll assigns a separate temporary identification number for the initial 9 week period during which a scholar is awaiting their Social Security number. This number usually starts with 849 and, again, is not a federally issued number. This number should not be used outside of FSU’s campus either.
Tax Identification Number (ITIN)
If a scholar is required to have a federally issued number for tax reporting purposes or if they are coming as a tourist for business and being paid as a subcontractor, they may apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) through the Internal Revenue Service. This can either be done in the U.S. or abroad by appearing before an Internal Revenue Service representative with identifying documentation. Internal Revenue Service representatives are usually located at consulates abroad. More information is at
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html.