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SSN validator

Check whether a nine-digit number has a structurally valid SSN format. It's a format check only, so test it with fake numbers, never a real person's SSN.

Input

SSN check

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Enter a US Social Security number to check it against the SSA format rules.

A Social Security number is structurally valid when the area is not 000, 666, or 900–999, the group is not 00, and the serial is not 0000. This checks structure only — it cannot confirm a number was ever issued, and you should never enter a real person's SSN.
Format
AAA-GG-SSSS
Check
SSA rules

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Guides

This SSN validator tells you whether a nine-digit number has a legal Social Security number structure under the SSA's rules. It strips hyphens and spaces, then checks the area, group and serial. It's a format check and nothing more. Please test it with made-up numbers, not your own SSN or anyone else's.

How to check an SSN format

  1. Type the number as 123-45-6789, 123456789, or with spaces. Letters and other symbols get rejected.
  2. The validator needs exactly 9 digits and tells you how many it found if the count is off.
  3. It rejects area 000, area 666 and any area from 900 to 999.
  4. It rejects group 00 and serial 0000, then shows the area, group and serial it read.

The SSA rules it applies

The SSA has never issued area 000 or area 666. Numbers starting with 9 are outside the SSN range, and the IRS uses that space for ITINs. Group 00 and serial 0000 are never assigned either. Before June 2011 the area number roughly tracked the state where the card was issued. Since then, assignment has been random, so these exclusions are all that's left to check. A pass tells you the number isn't impossible. It can't tell you the number exists.

Privacy

  • The check runs in your browser, and the digits you type aren't sent to our server or stored.
  • Even so, don't make a habit of typing real SSNs into websites. Use test numbers.
  • To confirm that a real SSN matches a real person, you need an authorized service. Employers use the SSA's SSNVS or E-Verify for that.

Frequently asked questions

Does a valid SSN format mean the number was issued?

No. Passing only means the number isn't in a range the SSA never uses. Since randomization in 2011, most nine-digit numbers outside those ranges could have been issued, and a format check has no way to know which ones were.

Is it safe to enter an SSN here?

The check happens locally and the number isn't transmitted. We'd still rather you used fictional numbers like 123-45-6789. Don't paste a real person's SSN into any website out of habit.

Why are area numbers 000 and 666 invalid?

The SSA has never assigned either one. Areas 900 to 999 are excluded too, because numbers that start with 9 belong to IRS ITINs and other non-SSN uses.

What's the difference between an SSN and an ITIN?

The SSA issues SSNs to citizens and to noncitizens who are authorized to work. The IRS issues ITINs to people who need a US tax number but can't get an SSN. ITINs always start with 9, so this validator rejects them.

Built and maintained by Bipul Kumar. Found a wrong number or a broken result? Tell me and I'll fix it.