IdentityHub: Crafting Safe Online Personas

SSN Validation Information

April 11th, 2016

Learn how the SSN validation works and how it has changed, and generate a random SSN to see the validation in action.

SSN Attributes

Validation Info

214-64-1996
SSN appers to be valid
Maryland
9
214 64 1996
214
64
1996

About the SSN Number?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) changed the way Social Security Numbers (SSNs) are issued on June 25, 2011. This change is referred to as "randomization." The SSA developed this new method to help protect the integrity of the SSN. SSN Randomization will also extend the longevity of the nine-digit SSN nationwide.

The SSA began assigning the nine-digit SSN in 1936 for the purpose of tracking workers' earnings over the course of their lifetimes to pay benefits. Since its inception, the SSN has always been comprised of the three-digit area number, followed by the two-digit group number, and ending with the four-digit serial number. Since 1972, the SSA has issued Social Security cards centrally and the area number reflected the state, as determined by the ZIP code in the mailing address of the application.

There are approximately 420 million numbers available for assignment. However, the previous SSN assignment process limited the number of SSNs available for issuance to individuals by each state. Changing the assignment methodology extended the longevity of the nine digit SSN in all states.

In the numbers

The chart below shows the first 3 digits of the social security numbers assigned throughout the United States and its possessions. The same area, when shown more than once, means that certain numbers have been transferred from one State to another, or that an area has been divided for use among certain geographic locations.

SSN randomization affected the SSN assignment process in the following ways:

  1. It eliminated the geographical significance of the first three digits of the SSN, referred to as the area number, by no longer allocating the area numbers for assignment to individuals in specific states.
  2. It eliminated the significance of the highest group number and, as a result, the High Group List is frozen in time and can only be used to see the area and group numbers SSA issued prior to the randomization implementation date.
  3. Previously unassigned area numbers were introduced for assignment excluding area numbers 000, 666 and 900-999.

This table shows what SSN area numbers are associated to locations and groups around the country.

001—003
004—007
008—009
010—034
035—039
040—049
050—134
135—158
159—211
212—220
221—222
223—231
232—236
237—246
Not Issued
247—251
252—260
261—267
268—302
303—317
318—361
362—386
387—399
400—407
408—415
416—424
425—428
429—432
433—439
440—448
449—467
468—477
478—485
486—500
501—502
503—504
505—508
509—515
516—517
518—519
520
521—524
525, 585
526—527
528—529
530, 680
531—539
540—544
545—573
574
575—576
577—579
580—584
586
Guam
586
Philippine Islands
587—665
Not Issued
667—679
Not Issued
681—690
Not Issued
691—699
Not Issued
700—728
Railroad Board**
729—733
Enumeration at Entry
750—772
Not Issued

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