Home » Guides » Employees » Hiring » Employee Social Security Number Verification

Gary Stern

Guide to Employee Social Security Number Verification

New regulations impose strict requirements on employers

By Gary Stern

Recently enacted federal regulations now impose stricter requirements for proving an employee’s immigration status. Employers now have a tougher job to keep their businesses out of trouble. Here are some ways you can help ensure your business’ compliance.
  1. Properly verify the credentials of anyone starting work at your company. This is most commonly done through the federal I-9 form, which is filed with the Social Security Administration.
  2. Educate your human resources staff. Make sure anyone conducting interviews or employee screening have been trained on what they can and cannot ask a prospective employee in regard to their ethnic origin or other information that is governed by federal discrimination laws.
  3. Ensure the authenticity of all documents. If there are any questions about the validity of a Social Security card, driver’s license or any other documentation provided by a new employee, verify all information with the proper authorities.

Here are some tips about verifying an employee’s Social Security number:

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Get educated

Fuzzy about how to properly verify a Social Security number?
I recommend: After an employee is hired, you can use the government's Social Security Number Verification Service to verify Social Security numbers. It's a free and relatively simple process.

Research immigration laws

A wealth of information is available online regarding immigration laws and how to properly ensure compliance.
I recommend: Findlaw's Employee Rights Center can show you all about legal issues regarding employment.

Consult an attorney

If you ascertain that your employee's Social Security number doesn't match with SSA's records, consult an employment law specialist.
I recommend: Findlaw also offers a detailed index of lawyers of virtually any specialty, including employment law. Other search portals include Lawyers.com and Attorney Pages, and Martindale.com contains information on almost every licensed lawyer in the United States, as well as the law firms they work under.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • Conduct research on any lawyer or law firm before you engage in a representative relationship.
  • If your job requires bringing in an employee from outside the country, make sure to consult a reputable immigration attorney.
Need Employment Verification Services? Compare Price Quotes
Compare Price Quotes from Employment Verification Service Companies. No Gimmicks. No Obligation. Increase Profits!
Free Price Quotes | Employment Checks | Background Checks
Employment-Verification .ResourceNation.com
Employment Screening - $19.95
Instant national results for pre-employment screening. FCRA compliant. Criminal records, driving records, credit, and more.
www.sentrylink.com
Pre-Employment Verification Services
Customizable Employment Screening Services to Help Your Business Make the Best Informed Hiring, Promotion and Retention Decisions!
Background Checks | Drug Testing | Physical Exams | Form I-9 Services
www.KrollBackgroundScreening.com
Background Screening Services
Get access to Criminal Reports and Searches with our compliant background screening tools.
www.microbilt.com/background-screening

Recommended Solution Providers

Intelius: Employee SSN Verification
Provides employment verification services.

USA Trace: Employment and Background Verification Services
Offers employment and background verification services.

1st Public Records: SSN Verification
Verify an employee's social security number.

U.S. Infosearch: Social Security Number Verification Services
Get an employee's social security number verified.

Civil Record: SSN Verification
Validate an employee's social security number.

Direct Screening: Employment Verification Services
Find out if an employee's social security number is valid.

ADP: Employment Screening Services:
Focuses on employment screening services.

Web Detective: Investigative Services
Find out if an employee has given you the correct social security number.

Best Sites to Learn More

Social Security Administration: Social Security Number Verification
Verify employee social security numbers over the Internet.

Social Security Online: SSN Verification Instructions
Provides instructions for verifying an employee's social security number.

IRS: Social Security Number Verification Requirements
Explains IRS requirements for verifying employee social security numbers.

Hi Tek Information Services: SSN Verification Guide
Understand what you need to do to verify an employee's social security number.

Best Blogs and Forums

Free Advice: Employment Law Forum
Ask others how they verify an employee's social security number.

Counsel: Employment Law Forum
Get advice on verifying an employee's social security number.

Labor Law Talk: Employment Law Forum
Find out how to verify an employee's social security number.

Law Guru: Labor and Employment Law Forum
Discuss social security number verification issues.

Lawyers: Employment Law Forum
Learn how to verify an employee's social security number.

Human Capital Institute: Employee Screening Blog
Blogs about employment verification and screening.



FEATURED LISTINGS
Business.com Answers

Ask a Business Question

115 characters maximum

What WorksTM for Hiring

Frances Sharpe

I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form

Stay within the law and avoid penalties with I-9 compliance
All employers, including small business owners, must verify the employment eligibility and identity of any worker hired in the U.S. To comply with the law, you must complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form for all new hires within three business days of their start date. In a small business, an I-9 must be completed for all workers except: Those hired prior to November 7, 1986 and still in your employ. Those providing ... Read more

Free B2B search marketing whitepaper, B2B Search Marketing Strategy Guide: Advice From the Pros.
Download

To advertise on Business.com, click here