Applying for a Credit Card Without an SSN

While the majority of credit card issuers require you to present your SSN or Social Security Number during your credit card application, they might still accept other alternative types of identification. Their lack of SSN can prevent most consumers from having an easier experience when applying for most credit cards. Below are some of the things that you should know when it comes to applying for a credit card without an SSN.

The Importance of SSN for Credit Card Account Application

Under federal law, financial institutions are required to verify a person’s identity when opening an account. It means that anyone who wants to apply for a credit card or open a checking or savings account is required to render adequate identification.

The bank ultimately defines what adequate identification is about. The US government sets the minimum requirement and this includes the applicant’s name, date of birth, address and the identification number like SSN, passport number, or ITIN.

How to Get a Credit Card Without an SSN

In case you don’t have the eligibility to get an SSN, you can still apply for the IRS’s ITIN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number that you can use when applying for credit cards. For nonresidents who are filing a tax return or those who are a spouse or dependent of a visa holder or US citizen, they are to have an ITIN. The number has the similar format like that of SSN with nine digits and can often be used as an alternative for SSN during an online credit card application, depending on the specific issuer.

While it is possible for you to apply for a credit card with your ITIN or other forms of identification, you might not still be eligible for majority of cards if you don’t have a credit history in the US. You cannot transfer your credit history from a different country and major credit bureaus often use your SSN for tracking your credit details. It is the reason why credit card issuers usually require an SSN for card application. Most of the cards that come with higher rewards rates won’t be available for consumers with no credit history. But, secured cards might help people without SSN or built credit history in the US.

The credit cards meant for international students with no credit history or SSN are the ideal choices for those foreign students who wish to establish their credit. Such cards usually accept passport number as an identification proof and a valid residential address in the US is also a requirement. While these credit cards usually offer nothing or little when it comes to rewards value, they still offer users the chance to build their credit history even without an SSN.

People who want to apply for a credit card but don’t a have an SSN can get one if they are eligible. Those who are legal workers in the US are typical eligible for receiving an SSN.

Having an SSN not just makes you eligible for applying for more credit cards as it can also make it easier for the issuers to monitor your credit and process your application.