What Should I Do if I Don’t Have a Social Security Number (SSN)?

If you don’t have a Social Security Number (SSN), you’ll need to apply for one before you can submit your US tax return.

The IRS requires a valid SSN to file all US tax returns, including expat tax returns. Without it, we cannot complete or submit your return on your behalf.

Here’s what to do:

1. Apply for a Social Security Number through the Social Security Administration (SSA).
   • If you are outside the US, you may need to apply through your local US embassy or consulate.
   • For children born abroad to US citizens, you can apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and an SSN at the same time.
2. Start the application process early. It can take several weeks—or even longer—for your application to be processed, especially if applying from overseas.
3. Once you receive your SSN, you’ll be ready to proceed with your expat tax filing.

For more detailed information about Social Security and expat taxes, visit our US Expat Taxes and Social Security guide.

If you don’t have a Social Security Number yet, please start the application process here.