The nine-digit number that became an accidental national ID

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Originally designed solely to track individual social security accounts, the nine-digit Social Security number has evolved into a de facto national identification for the United States. While the card itself lacks biometrics or a photo, it is now essential for everything from banking to tax deductions.

The Social Security number was first issued in November 1936 as part of the New Deal. In its first three months, the Social Security Administration issued 25 million numbers. Interestingly, the numbers were not assigned chronologically; while John David Sweeney, Jr. was announced as the first recipient, the distinction of having the lowest number, 001-01-0001, actually belongs to Grace D. Owen of New Hampshire.

The role of the SSN has shifted significantly over decades. Before 1986, many Americans did not obtain a number until age 14, as they were primarily used for income tracking. However, the Tax Reform Act of 1986 changed this by requiring parents to list SSNs for dependents over age five to claim tax deductions. This led to a massive reduction in claimed dependents—seven million fewer in the first year alone—as the government sought to prevent fraud involving non-existent children or improper claims by non-custodial parents.

Today, the SSN is central to American life, though it was never intended to be a primary ID. Because it lacks a photograph or birth date, it is often used alongside a driver's license. However, its ubiquity makes it a target for identity theft. This vulnerability is compounded by recent administrative changes; in March 2025, the SSA suspended the Enumeration Beyond Entry (EBE) program, which allowed for automatic issuance via mail. Now, applicants must attend in-person appointments, a process that costs approximately $55.80 per request, compared to the previous $8 cost under the automatic system.

The military has also transitioned its use of the number. While the Army and Air Force have used SSNs since July 1, 1969, the Department of Defense began removing SSNs from military ID cards in June 2011, replacing them with a unique identification number known as the EDIPI.

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