{"id":9447,"date":"2014-08-02T13:37:00","date_gmt":"2014-08-02T17:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/au-pairs\/?p=9447"},"modified":"2025-11-21T19:57:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-22T00:57:02","slug":"apply-for-a-social-security-card-in-raleigh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.aupairusa.org\/au-pairs\/program-resources-for-au-pairs\/apply-for-a-social-security-card-in-raleigh\/","title":{"rendered":"Au Pair 101: How to Apply for A Social Security Card in Raleigh"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Image courtesy of the Miller family<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

InterExchange Au Pair USA is a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting cross-cultural awareness through exchange programs. For more than 40 years, InterExchange has been connecting young people from all over the world with life-changing international cultural exchange opportunities. In turn, we provide a unique answer for families to host an au pair who provides affordable, flexible, live-in child care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the first steps an au pair must take after she\/he arrives at her\/his host family\u2019s home is going to the Social Security Office to apply for a Social Security Card. A Social Security Card is the US Government\u2019s identification number for people who are either US citizens or who are legally allowed to work in the US, which is why Au Pairs need to get the card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We advise you to wait until 10 days to 2 weeks after you arrive at your host family\u2019s home to be sure your arrival has been processed in the US Government\u2019s database. Some au pairs have successfully gotten their cards before this time, but we cannot guarantee it will work early. You must have the Social Security Card to get your driver\u2019s license and open a bank account, so this step needs to happen first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Documents You Need To Bring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before you go to the Social Security Office, be sure you have all the original documents you will need for the visit. A complete list of the documents is provided here. On that page\u2019s the left column, be sure you choose: \u201cAdult\u201d, \u201cOriginal\u201d, and \u201cNoncitizen\u201d to get the correct list of documents.These are the blue \u201cbuttons\u201d indicated in the screenshot shown here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Documents are:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
  1. Bring your Original Passport with the US Visa attached inside.<\/li>
  2. Bring the Letter from InterExchange on InterExchange letterhead  that you received before you arrived in the US that authorizes your employment. It is in your document packet that was sent to your home in your home country and is called the Travel Authorization Letter.<\/li>
  3. Bring Your J-1 Visa paperwork. It has the pink page stapled to the front of it marking it as Important!<\/li>
  4. Print your I-94 Arrival Paper and bring it along. Directions on how to print this once you arrive at your Host family\u2019s home is included in your Orientation Information Packet or contact your Local Coordinator for help. The link to the online form is here. <\/li>
  5. Fill out the Social Security Card Application. One should be included in your Orientation Information Packet, but if you need an additional copy, you can print one. Be sure your handwriting is clear and legible to make it easier on the staff person helping you.<\/li>
  6. This is the Number you receive once you sign in at the Social Security Office. See below for details.  <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Visiting the Social Security Office<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Once you have all the documents together, it is time to visit the Social Security Office.  A host parent will need to take you or contact your Local Coordinator for help getting to the office if a host parent is not available.  The Raleigh Social Security Administration Office is located at 4701 Old Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Hours:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n