SOCIAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Social Security Office
1570 W Battlefield St. STE 100
Springfield, MO 65807
Tel: 1-877-772-1213
Monday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Social Security Number (SSN) Application Information
⚠️ Important: Social Security Administration Office Visits Are Now By Appointment Only
The Social Security Administration (SSA) no longer accepts walk-ins. All applicants must have a confirmed appointment before visiting a SSA office.
Appointments may be scheduled in two ways:
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Online (after completing the required online SSN application)
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By phone by calling an SSA office directly
Complete the Online SSN Application (Required)
All applicants must first complete the online Social Security application at:
https://secure.ssa.gov/ossnap/public/landingOSsnap
After submitting the application, you will receive a confirmation/control number that begins with O25.
⚠️ Very Important
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Save this control number immediately
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Print it or take a screenshot
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You must show this control number to the SSA agent during your appointment
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If you lose the number, it cannot be recovered and you will need to complete the online application again
After completing the online application, the final confirmation page will provide the option to schedule an appointment online. This is the only opportunity to schedule an appointment online, as the scheduling option is only available immediately after submitting the application.
It is strongly recommended that applicants wait and complete the online application together with roommates, coworkers, or friends during onboarding or orientation meetings whenever possible. Doing so may help increase the chances of securing appointments on the same day or within similar timeframes so students can travel and attend together.
Applicants may also call to schedule or reschedule an appointment:
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Springfield SSA Office: 1-877-850-7824
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Harrison SSA Office*: 1-877-512-3851
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National SSA Line: 1-800-772-1213
The national number can assist with appointments for any location and offers extended hours.
Required Documents for Your Appointment:
Applicants must bring all of the following documents to their SSA appointment.
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Passport
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Original passport only; must include your J-1 Visa
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Form DS-2019
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Also known as the Certificate of Eligibility or Sponsor Letter.
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Must be presented in original form (no copies), and signed.
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Printed I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
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Please allow 3–5 business days after arrival in the U.S. for the record to appear in the DHS system.
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Get Most Recent I-94: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/search/recent-search
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*Do not confuse it with "Apply for I-94"
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Must be printed (screenshots are not accepted)
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Online Social Security Number Application Control Number
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Follow the information under Complete the Online SSN Application above.
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It is important that you have the Online Control Number when you arrive to finish your application in person. So save it as a document, take a screenshot or write it down on a piece of paper.
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*Harrison SSA Office Information
Although located in the state of Arkansas, the Harrison SSA office is approximately a similar driving distance from Branson as the Springfield, Missouri office.
The Harrison office may also allow limited group appointment scheduling (subject to availability), typically for groups of up to 6 applicants in the morning and 6 applicants in the afternoon.
When requesting group appointments, SSA staff will ask for the full names and dates of birth for each applicant in advance in order to coordinate appointment availability.
For additional information regarding group scheduling availability, when calling the Harrison SSA office, applicants or employers may contact:
Christene Doyle, Operations Supervisor
Extension: 69872
If you need help getting to Springfield or Harrison, check out the ground transportation options available in the area HERE!
Social Security FAQs:
Do I have to apply for a Social Security card?
Yes. All participants must apply for a Social Security Number in order to work, open a bank account, or file a tax return. (*participants are eligible to begin work with their receipt of application from the Social Security office)
If I already have a social security number, do I need to apply for another one?
No. If you already have a Social Security Number, you do not need to apply for a new one. If you do not have your physical Social Security card, or if you do not remember your number, you may visit the Social Security Administration office to replace your card for free.
When should I apply?
It is recommended by the Social Security office that you wait approximately 10 days after your arrival to the US and after notifying your sponsor of your arrival before applying for a Social Security Number.
When will I receive my social security card in the mail?
It may take 4-6 weeks to receive your Social Security card in the mail. It is very important that the address listed on your application is accurate.
How do I start work while waiting for my social security number?
After applying for a Social Security Number, the Social Security office will issue a receipt. This is an importatnt document which you can give to your employer to show that you have applied for a Social Security Number and are eligible to begin work. This receipt can also be shown if you are asked for a Social Security Number when you open a bank account.