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Social Security Number Decoder and Validator

SSN Decoder & Validator

Social Security Number Decoder & Validator

Enter a Social Security Number to decode its information and validate its format

Validation Result
Decoding Result

About Social Security Numbers

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents.

The number is divided into three parts:

  • Area Number (first 3 digits): Originally represented the state where the SSN was issued
  • Group Number (middle 2 digits): Used to break SSNs into blocks within each area
  • Serial Number (last 4 digits): Assigned sequentially from 0001 to 9999

Note: This tool provides information based on publicly available SSN assignment data. It should not be used for identity verification purposes.

This tool is for educational purposes only. Always handle SSNs with care and respect privacy.

Three-Digit Assignment Chart

0xx, 1xx2xx, 3xx4xx5xx5xx6xx7xx, 8xx, 9xx
001-003 NH212-220 MD400-407 KY501-502 ND540-544 OR600-601 AZ700-728 RR*
004-007 ME221-222 DE408-415 TN503-504 SD545-573 CA602-626 CA729-733 EE*
008-009 VT223-231 VA416-424 AL505-508 NE574-574 AK627-645 TX734-749 XX*
010-034 MA232-232 NW*425-428 MS509-515 KS575-576 HI646-647 UT750-751 HI
035-039 RI233-236 WV429-432 AR516-517 MT577-579 DC648-649 NM752-755 MS
040-049 CT237-246 NC*433-439 LA518-519 ID580-580 PV*650-653 CO756-763 TN
050-134 NY247-251 SC440-448 OK520-520 WY581-584 PR654-658 SC764-765 AZ
135-158 NJ252-260 GA449-467 TX521-524 CO585-585 NM659-665 LA766-772 FL
159-211 PA261-267 FL468-477 MN525-525 NM586-586 PI*666-666 XX*773-799 XX*
 268-302 OH478-485 IA526-527 AZ587-588 MS667-675 GA800-899 YY*
 303-317 IN486-500 MO528-529 UT589-595 FL676-679 AR900-999 ITIN*
 318-361 IL 530-530 NV596-599 PR680-680 NV 
 362-386 MI 531-539 WA 681-690 NC 
 387-399 WI   691-699 VA 
NW*North Carolina if next two digits are 30, otherwise West Virginia
NC*The government’s SSA site indicates that the range 237-246 was unassigned
 All other references I’ve seen indicate that it was assigned to North Carolina
PV*Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
PI*Pacific Islands (Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Philippines)
RR*Railroad Workers (prior to July 1, 1963)
EE*Enumeration at Entry
ITIN*Individual Taxpayer Identification Number if next two digits are in range 70-88
XX*Unassigned as of June 25, 2011
YY*Not valid (after June 25, 2011: appears to be used for non-citizen parent of a US born child)

The structure of Social Security Numbers can be found in Jerry Crow and Barbara Bennett’s article .
Later number assignments can be found at the Social Security Administration website
The structure of Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers can be found on the Internal Revue Service website .

The Fascinating History of Social Security Numbers: More Than Just Nine Digits

How a Depression-era identification system became the cornerstone of American identity

FREE CPN Number, CPN Public Records, Social Security Number

The Fascinating History of Social Security Numbers

How a Depression-era identification system became the cornerstone of American identity

More Than Just Nine Digits

What began as a simple administrative tool in 1936 has evolved into one of the most important pieces of identification in American life. The Social Security Number (SSN) has transformed from a retirement account identifier to a de facto national ID number, embedded in virtually every aspect of modern American existence.

1935

The Social Security Act

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act into law on August 14, creating America's first national retirement system. The need for a unique identifier for every American worker becomes immediately apparent.

1936

First SSNs Issued

The first Social Security numbers are issued in November. The very first card, number 055-09-0001, is assigned to John David Sweeney, Jr. of New Rochelle, New York. Interestingly, he never received Social Security benefits, dying at 61 before reaching retirement age.

1943

Executive Order 9397

President Roosevelt signs Executive Order 9397, requiring federal agencies to use the SSN for identifying individuals in new record systems. This marks the beginning of the SSN's expansion beyond its original purpose.

1961

IRS Adopts SSN

The Internal Revenue Service begins using SSNs as official taxpayer identification numbers, cementing its role in American financial life.

1972

SSA Takes Over Assignment

The Social Security Administration assumes responsibility for assigning SSNs, taking over from the Post Office. This centralizes the process and increases security.

2011

Randomization Begins

The SSA eliminates the geographical significance of the first three digits and begins assigning numbers randomly to protect against identity theft and better number management.

453+ Million
SSNs Issued Since 1936
5.7 Million
New SSNs Issued Annually
1 in 7
Americans Have Had Multiple SSNs
99.9%
Of Working Americans Have SSNs

Anatomy of a Social Security Number

Until 2011, each part of the nine-digit number had specific meaning:

1-3
Area Number: Originally indicated the state where the card was issued. Numbers started on the East Coast and moved westward.
4-5
Group Number: Had no geographical meaning but helped break numbers into manageable blocks. Odd numbers 01 to 09, then even 10 to 98, then even 02 to 08, then odd 11 to 99.
6-9
Serial Number: Assigned sequentially from 0001 to 9999 within each group.

Since 2011, SSNs are assigned randomly to protect against identity theft and extend the numbering system's lifespan.

Try Our SSN Decoder Tool Above

Curious about what the numbers in an SSN might reveal? Our interactive tool can decode Social Security Numbers issued before 2011 and validate their format.

Note: This tool is for educational purposes only and respects individual privacy.

"The Social Security number has attained a position of almost mythological proportions in American society. What began as a simple account number has become a personal identifier used in virtually every financial and governmental transaction."
— Social Security Administration Historian

The Evolution of the Social Security Card

The physical Social Security card has undergone significant changes throughout its history:

  • 1936-1972: The card prominently stated "NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION" - a far cry from its current use
  • 1972-1983: The disclaimer was removed as the SSN's use expanded
  • 1983-Present: Security features were gradually added, including magnetic strips, holograms, and color-shifting ink
  • 2010s: Redesigned cards with additional security features to combat counterfeiting

Interesting SSN Facts

001-01-0001
Lowest Possible SSN (Never Issued)
078-05-1120
Most Famous SSN (From Wallet Advertisement)
42,000+
People Used This Number After Seeing It in a Wallet

The Future of Social Security Numbers

As identity theft becomes increasingly sophisticated, the future of the SSN is uncertain. Several developments are shaping what comes next:

  • Biometric Identification: Fingerprints, facial recognition, and other biometric data may supplement or replace SSNs
  • Blockchain Technology: Distributed ledger systems could create more secure digital identities
  • Legislative Changes: Laws like the Social Security Number Fraud Prevention Act limit how SSNs can be displayed
  • Multi-factor Authentication: Combining something you know (SSN) with something you have (phone) and something you are (biometrics)
"The Social Security number was never intended to be a personal identifier, yet it has become exactly that. Its history is a case study in function creep and the unintended consequences of administrative decisions."
— Identity Management Expert

Using Our SSN Decoder Tool

Below you'll find our interactive SSN Decoder and Validator. This tool serves several purposes:

  • Educational Insight: Understand how SSNs were structured before randomization
  • Format Validation: Check if an SSN follows the correct formatting rules
  • Historical Context: Learn about the geographical significance of older SSNs

Important Disclaimer: This tool is designed for educational purposes only. Always respect individual privacy and handle Social Security Numbers with extreme care. Never use this tool with someone's actual SSN without their explicit permission.

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