SSN and ID Cards

Social Security Number
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
Hawaiʻi Driver’s License
Hawaiʻi State Identification Card


Social Security Number

Social Security is the U.S. government’s social insurance plan intended to benefit retired people and others who are disabled, injured, or left without adequate financial support. Social Security is financed from both an employee’s pay and an employer’s contributions. Nearly all Americans have a Social Security Number (SSN), which is an official identification number used for tax and employment purposes.

UH employees in E-3, H-1B, O-1, TN, or any other employment-eligible immigration statuses must have SSNs in order to receive wages from UH. J-1 exchange visitors (EV) who do not already have SSNs but will receive UH stipends/salaries must apply for SSNs as soon as they are eligible to minimize payment delays. However, only J-1 EVs whose stays will exceed two weeks can be issued a SSN. If the stay will be shorter than two weeks, the J-1 EV must instead apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). For more information, see the USCIS Fact Sheet for J Nonimmigrants: Getting a Social Security Number.

SSNs can only be obtained in person in the U.S. from the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSA offices are located on all major islands in Honolulu, Hilo, Līhuʻe, and Wailuku. Unofficial identification numbers issued by UH (coded with initial digits 990 or 999) cannot be used for tax or employment purposes.

Visitors in B-1, B-2, WB, or WT statuses are not eligible for SSNs. If a person who is now in B-1, B-2, WB, or WT status does not have a SSN obtained during a prior U.S. visit, an ITIN may be required instead.

When to apply for a SSN

J-1 EVs may apply for SSNs no earlier than 10 business days after arriving in the U.S. and after completing their registration/orientation with FSIS. If a J-1 EV applies for a SSN less than 10 business days after arrival in the U.S., legal entry in J status may not yet be entered in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE database, which is the primary source the SSA uses to verify immigration status. A secondary source the SSA can use to verify status is the Los Angeles Immigration Status Verification (LOSISV) unit. However, in order for the LOSISV unit to verify immigration status, the J-1 EV‘s SEVIS record must be validated by FSIS. FSIS will only validate a J-1 EV‘s SEVIS record after registration/orientation has been completed. J-2 dependents may apply for a SSNs if they first obtain a valid employment authorization document (EAD) from USCIS.

E-3, H-1B, TN, and O-1 employees may apply for SSNs no earlier than 10 business days after arriving in the U.S. to ensure their legal entries are entered in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE database. SAVE is the source the SSA uses to verify immigration status. E-3, H-1B, TN, and O-1 employees do not have SEVIS records and are not required to register with FSIS before applying for SSN cards.

SSN application requirements
  • Completed Form SS-5 application form (available at any SSA office and on the SSA website);
  • Passport;
  • Form I-94 from CBP‘s I-94 website;
  • USCIS work authorization (EAD, Form I-797A, or I-797B) or Form DS-2019; and
  • UH invitation letter or employment offer letter.

The above documents must be originals or certified copies from the issuing agencies. Notarized copies are not acceptable. The SSA must return all documents to the applicant. The SSN card should arrive in the mail 2-4 weeks after the application is processed.

SSA office hours and contact information

On all islands, the SSA hours are:

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
  • Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
  • Closed on weekends and federal holidays.

You may contact the SSA toll-free by phone at 1-800-772-1213. For more contact options, visit the SSA‘s website.

Oʻahu Hawai‘i Island (the Big Island)
Prince Kūhiō Federal Building
300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 1-114
Honolulu, HI 96813
Prince Kūhiō Plaza
111 E Puainako Street, Suite 710
Hilo, HI 96720
Kauaʻi Maui
Watumull Plaza
4334 Rice Street, Suite 105
Līhuʻe, HI 96766
One Main Plaza
2200 Main Street, Suite 125
Wailuku, HI 96793

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Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

If a foreign national is not eligible for a SSN due to being in the U.S. in a non-work eligible immigration status (e.g., B-1, B-2, WB, or WT), they may obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for tax purposes from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The ITIN must be requested using IRS Form W-7. Form W-7 and the instructions are available on the IRS website.

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Hawaiʻi Driver’s License

Those driving a car, motorcycle, or motor scooter in the U.S. must have an appropriate driver’s license to operate the vehicle. Foreign nationals may apply for a Hawaiʻi driver’s license. If an individual decides to apply for a Hawaiʻi driver’s license, any other valid driver’s licenses must be turned in; no driver is permitted to hold more than one valid driver’s license at any time. Proof of legal presence is required to obtain a Hawaiʻi driver license or learner’s permit. See the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation’s legal presence website for more information.

Driver’s license application requirements

Each individual must apply in person. Applicants must provide proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number, legal presence, and two forms of principal residence address in Hawai‘i. Use the City and County of Honolulu’s document guide for acceptable documents: https://www2.honolulu.gov/documentguide/. For additional information, go to https://www.honolulu.gov/csd/dllicense.html. Click on “Requirements.”

The above documents must be originals or certified copies from the issuing agencies. Notarized copies are not acceptable. The name must be identical on all documents. If there are any name discrepancies, the applicant should bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, decree of legal change of name, or other official proof of name change.

At the time of applying for the license, the applicant must pay all required fees by cash, check, or credit card.

If the application is approved, the individual will take a photo and receive the license at that time.

Where to apply for a driver’s license

To apply for a driver’s license on the island of Oʻahu, please visit the City and County of Honolulu’s Motor Vehicle and Licensing Division to obtain the locations of issuing offices.

For driver licensing locations on other islands, see the following:

Driver licensing office hours and contact information

The hours of operation at all offices are:

  • Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Closed on weekends and state and federal holidays

Each county’s driver licensing office can be contacted directly by phone:

  • City and County of Honolulu (Oahu): (808) 532-7730
  • Hawaiʻi County (Big Island): (808) 961-2222
  • Kauaʻi County: (808) 241-4242
  • Maui County: (808) 270-7363

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Hawaiʻi State Identification Card

Exchange visitors and employees have the option of applying for a Hawaiʻi State Identification (ID) Card. In Hawaiʻi, driver licensing offices are responsible for issuing state ID cards. Anyone applying for a state ID card must present documentary proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number, legal presence and proof of principal residence address in person at a driver licensing office.

State ID card application requirements

Each individual must apply in person. Applicants must provide proof of legal name, date of birth, social security number, legal presence, and two forms of principal residence address in Hawai‘i. Use the City and County of Honolulu’s document guide for acceptable documents: https://www2.honolulu.gov/documentguide/. For additional information, go to https://honolulu.gov/csd/stateid.html.

At the time of applying for the state ID, the applicable fee must be paid by cash, check, or credit card:

  • 8-year ID card: $40.00
  • 1-7 year ID card (legal presence limited terms): Up to $5.00

If the application is approved, the individual will take a photo and receive the ID card at that time.

Where to apply for a state ID card

Please visit the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation’s state ID website to obtain the locations of issuing offices on all islands.

State ID office hours and contact information

The hours of operation at all offices are:

  • Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Closed on weekends and state and federal holidays

Each county’s state ID office can be contacted directly by phone:

  • City and County of Honolulu (Oʻahu): (808) 532-7730
  • Hawaiʻi County (Big Island): (808) 961-2222
  • Kauaʻi County: (808) 241-4242
  • Maui County: (808) 270-7363

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