• Upload overnight files of up to 250,000 names and SSNs and usually receive results the next government business day. This option is ideal if you want to verify an entire payroll database or if you hire a large number of workers at a time.

While the service is available to all employers and third-party submitters, it can only be used to verify current or former employees and only for wage reporting (Form W-2) purposes.

Why Should I Verify Names and SSNs Online

 Correct names and SSNs on W-2 wage reports are the keys to the successful processing of your annual wage report submission.

• It’s faster and easier to use than submitting your requests paper listings or using Social Security’s telephone verification option.
• Results in more accurate wage reports.
• Saves you processing costs and reduces the number of W-2cs.
• Allows Social Security to properly credit your employees’ earnings record, which will be important information in determining their Social Security benefits in the future.

Steps to Register for SSNVS

1. Register to Use SSNVS – Registration is required through www.ssa.gov/bso/bsowelcome.htm. Third-party preparers need only register once in their own firm’s name. Complete the registration form and select your own password. Social Security will verify your identity against our records and display a User ID. Make note of your the User ID, password and expiration date. Social Security Number Verification Service Handbook
2. Request Access and Activation Code – Return to www.ssa.gov/bso/bsowelcome.htm
   and login in with your User ID and password. Select “Request Access and Activation Code.”
3. Activation Code is Mailed to Your Employer – Your employer should give you the activation code which allows you access to SSNVS.
4. Login to Use the Service – Go to www.ssa.gov/bso/bsowelcome.htm, select Login, input your User ID, password and activation code and you will be able to use the service.

NOTE: For more detailed instructions on registering and/or using SSNVS, get a copy of the www.ssa.gov/employer/ssnvs_handbk.htm.

Related posts:

1. Often employers ask to see an employee’s Social Security card Often employers ask to see an employee’s Social Security card. But, do you really need to see the card? Since 1936, Social Security has issued over 30 different versions of the Social Security number (SSN) card which makes it difficult to recognize a valid card....
2. New Enhancements to Online Retirement Estimator: Social Security Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the online Retirement Estimator, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator, now can provide immediate and personalized benefit estimates to people who have enrolled in Medicare but have not yet filed for Social Security benefits. Previously, these “Medicare only” beneficiaries would need to contact a local office in order to obtain an estimate of their benefits. Currently, about a half-million people file for Medicare each year and delay filing for Social Security benefits....
3. Social Security Releases Open Government Plan – Medicare Card Information Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the agency has released its Open Government plan. The plan, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/open, reflects the agency’s commitment to increase transparency, expand opportunities for citizen participation and collaboration, and make open government sustainable at Social Security. ...
4. Information to Over 3 Million Disability Applicants Each Year – Medicare Card, Social Security to Provide Helpful Health Care Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the agency is providing helpful health care information and website links to the more than three million individuals who apply each year for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits. The website links take disability applicants to two U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) websites – www.healthfinder.gov where they will find information and tools to help them better understand and cope with their conditions; and www.healthfinder.gov/rxdrug where they may be able to get help paying for prescription drugs....
5. Social Security E-News Social Security E-News...
6. MedicareCard.com Finds Social Security Releases Open Government Plan Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the agency has released its Open Government plan.  The plan, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/open, reflects the agency’s commitment to increase transparency, expand opportunities for citizen participation and collaboration, and make open government sustainable at Social Security.  Three flagship initiatives are highlighted in the plan — the Spanish-Language Retirement Estimator, [...]...
7. Learning About Your Social Security Card Number and Information Social Security – Government Assistance A Social Security number is important because you need it to get a job, collect Social Security benefits and receive some other government services. Many other businesses, such as banks and credit companies, also ask for your number. If you are a non-citizen living in the United States, you also [...]...
8. Social Security Holds Disability Hearing Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today hosted the agency’s fifth public hearing on Compassionate Allowances. Commissioner Astrue was joined by Philip Wang, M.D., Dr. P.H., National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, and Social Security executives. They heard testimony from some of the nation's leading experts on schizophrenia about possible methods of identifying and implementing Compassionate Allowances for young adults with schizophrenia....
9. Mounting Disability Claims – Social Security Help Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the agency’s first Extended Service Team (EST) is open for business in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Little Rock EST will make disability decisions for state Disability Determinations Services (DDSs) that are most adversely affected by the flood of new initial disability claims resulting from the economic downturn and from counterproductive furloughs of employees at the state level...
10. Social Security Helps States with Mounting Disability Claims Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the agency’s first Extended Service Team (EST) is open for business in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Little Rock EST will make disability decisions for state Disability Determinations Services (DDSs) that are most adversely affected by the flood of new initial disability claims resulting from the economic downturn and from counterproductive furloughs of employees at the state level. Later this year, Social Security will open additional ESTs in Madison, Mississippi; Roanoke, Virginia; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The ESTs are in states that have a history of high quality and productivity, as well as the capacity to hire and train significant numbers of additional employees. “The strategy behind ESTs builds on our success with National Hearing Centers, where cases are handled electronically from all over the country,” Commissioner Astrue said. “These centralized units have reduced the hearings backlog and improved processing times at some of the hardest-hit hearing offices. This approach clearly works and extending it in this way can help us meet the challenge of unprecedented growth in our disability workloads.” Social Security expects to receive more than 3.3 million applications for disability benefits this fiscal year (FY), about 700,000 more than in FY...
11. Social Security Medical Express Records You can submit evidence directly to your client's case file by using your office fax or through the Social Security secure Electronic Records Express website...
12. Social Security Files Statement of Interest Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the Department of Justice, on behalf of the Social Security Administration, has filed a “Statement of Interest” inUnion of American Physicians and Dentists v. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California , which is currently pending in a state trial court in California. The Union of American Physicians and Dentists includes employees of the California Disability Determination Services Division (DDSD), Department of Social Services, who evaluate Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income claims. The Federal government fully pays for the salaries and overhead costs for these employees....
13. How do I make sure my social security records are accurate? How do I make sure my records are accurate? Each year your employer sends a copy of your W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) to Social Security. They compare your name and Social Security number on the W-2 with the information in their files. They add the earnings shown on the W-2 to your Social Security [...]...
14. Social Security Hearings Backlog Down Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that for the first time since 1999, the agency has ended the year with fewer disability hearings pending than in the prior year. Social Security ended fiscal year (FY) 2009 with 722,822 hearings pending compared to 760,813 hearings pending at the start of the year, a reduction of more than 37,000 cases. Over the same period, the average processing time for these cases improved from 514 days in FY 2008 to 491 in FY 2009....
15. How should I protect my Social Security number? How can I protect my Social Security number? You should treat your Social Security number as confidential information and avoid giving it out unnecessarily. You should keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you unless you need to show it to an employer [...]...

Consider using the free Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS) which allows registered employers to quickly verify whether a person’s name and SSN match Social Security’s records. It saves you and the employee time. For more information about SSNVS visit Employer W-2 Filing Instructions & Information. Learn more about the New Security Features of the Social Security Card.

Source: http://www.ssa.gov/employer/SSNcard.htm

Related posts:

1. Information and Instructions to Verify Social Security Numbers Online There are two Internet verification options you can use to verify that your employee names and Social Security numbers match Social Security's records. You can: Verify up to 10 names and SSNs (per screen) online and receive immediate results. This option is ideal to verify new hires....
2. Replacing a Lost Social Security Card Because I’m a government employee, I’ve gotten emails from time to time from friends of mine who are trying to figure out something government-related and assume I have all the answers. And because I work in the office that runs USA.gov, I can usually point my friends in the right direction. Last week a friend [...]...
3. How should I protect my Social Security number? How can I protect my Social Security number? You should treat your Social Security number as confidential information and avoid giving it out unnecessarily. You should keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you unless you need to show it to an employer [...]...
4. How do I make sure my social security records are accurate? How do I make sure my records are accurate? Each year your employer sends a copy of your W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) to Social Security. They compare your name and Social Security number on the W-2 with the information in their files. They add the earnings shown on the W-2 to your Social Security [...]...
5. Change Name On Medicare Card – How too? If you are a U.S. citizen born outside the United States and their records do not show you are a citizen, you will need to provide proof of your U.S. citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask to see your current immigration documents....
6. How much does a social security card cost There is no charge for a Social Security number and card. If someone contacts you and wants to charge you for getting a number or card, or for any Social Security service, please remember that Social Security services are free. You can report anyone attempting to charge you by calling the Office of the Inspector [...]...
7. Name changed and now I need to tell the Social Security. Where do I start? What if my name changed? If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or any other reason, you need to tell Social Security so that you can get a replacement card. If you are working, also tell your employer. If you do not tell them when your name changes, it may: [...]...
8. Learning About Your Social Security Card Number and Information Social Security – Government Assistance A Social Security number is important because you need it to get a job, collect Social Security benefits and receive some other government services. Many other businesses, such as banks and credit companies, also ask for your number. If you are a non-citizen living in the United States, you also [...]...
9. Need a Replacement Card? Order a Medicare Card by Phone or Online Need a Replacement Card? Order a Medicare Card by Phone or Online...
10. Information to Over 3 Million Disability Applicants Each Year – Medicare Card, Social Security to Provide Helpful Health Care Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the agency is providing helpful health care information and website links to the more than three million individuals who apply each year for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits. The website links take disability applicants to two U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) websites – www.healthfinder.gov where they will find information and tools to help them better understand and cope with their conditions; and www.healthfinder.gov/rxdrug where they may be able to get help paying for prescription drugs....
11. Social Security Releases Open Government Plan – Medicare Card Information Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the agency has released its Open Government plan. The plan, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/open, reflects the agency’s commitment to increase transparency, expand opportunities for citizen participation and collaboration, and make open government sustainable at Social Security. ...
12. Social Security Medical Express Records You can submit evidence directly to your client's case file by using your office fax or through the Social Security secure Electronic Records Express website...
13. How to Use Your Medicare Card Show your card whenever you get medical care. This will assure that a claim for payment is sent to Medicare. Make sure to use your exact name and claim number. ...
14. Social Security Hearings Backlog Down Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that for the first time since 1999, the agency has ended the year with fewer disability hearings pending than in the prior year. Social Security ended fiscal year (FY) 2009 with 722,822 hearings pending compared to 760,813 hearings pending at the start of the year, a reduction of more than 37,000 cases. Over the same period, the average processing time for these cases improved from 514 days in FY 2008 to 491 in FY 2009....
15. 3 Million Disability Applicants Each Year For Social Security Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the agency is providing helpful health care information and website links to the more than three million individuals who apply each year for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits. ...

You should treat your Social Security number as confidential information and avoid giving it out unnecessarily. You should keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you unless you need to show it to an employer or service provider.

We do several things to protect your number from misuse. For example, we require and carefully inspect proof of identity from people who apply to replace lost or stolen Social Security cards, or for corrected cards. One reason we do this is to prevent people from fraudulently obtaining Social Security numbers to establish false identities. We maintain the privacy of Social Security records unless:

• The law requires us to disclose information to another government agency; or
• Your information is needed to conduct Social Security or other government health or welfare program business.

You should be very careful about sharing your number and card to protect against misuse of your number. Giving your number is voluntary even when you are asked for the number directly. If requested, you should ask:

• Why your number is needed;
• How your number will be used;
• What happens if you refuse; and
• What law requires you to give your number.

The answers to these questions can help you decide if you want to give your Social Security number. The decision is yours.

Related posts:

1. Learning About Your Social Security Card Number and Information Social Security – Government Assistance A Social Security number is important because you need it to get a job, collect Social Security benefits and receive some other government services. Many other businesses, such as banks and credit companies, also ask for your number. If you are a non-citizen living in the United States, you also [...]...
2. How do I make sure my social security records are accurate? How do I make sure my records are accurate? Each year your employer sends a copy of your W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) to Social Security. They compare your name and Social Security number on the W-2 with the information in their files. They add the earnings shown on the W-2 to your Social Security [...]...
3. Often employers ask to see an employee’s Social Security card Often employers ask to see an employee’s Social Security card. But, do you really need to see the card? Since 1936, Social Security has issued over 30 different versions of the Social Security number (SSN) card which makes it difficult to recognize a valid card....
4. Here are the Social Security Office Center Locations If you live or receive mail in Brooklyn, N.Y.; Queens, N.Y.; Orlando, Fla.; Sacramento County, Calif.; Phoenix, Ariz. (Maricopa County and Apache Junction Area); or Las Vegas, Nev., you must visit a Social Security Card Center to apply for an original or replacement Social Security card. If you do not live or receive mail in [...]...
5. Name changed and now I need to tell the Social Security. Where do I start? What if my name changed? If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or any other reason, you need to tell Social Security so that you can get a replacement card. If you are working, also tell your employer. If you do not tell them when your name changes, it may: [...]...
6. How to Find the Nearest Social Security Office Near You If you live in the United States and you want information and directions to the Social Security office that serves your area, just enter your U.S. Postal Service five-digit ZIP code below and select Locate. You’ll get information about your local Social Security office and other agencies in your area that may be able to [...]...
7. How much does a social security card cost There is no charge for a Social Security number and card. If someone contacts you and wants to charge you for getting a number or card, or for any Social Security service, please remember that Social Security services are free. You can report anyone attempting to charge you by calling the Office of the Inspector [...]...
8. Social Security Number of Recipients, 1974–2007 Social Security Number of Recipients, 1974–2007...
9. Social Security E-News Social Security E-News...
10. Facts About Social Security Facts About Social Security...
11. Replacing a Lost Social Security Card Because I’m a government employee, I’ve gotten emails from time to time from friends of mine who are trying to figure out something government-related and assume I have all the answers. And because I work in the office that runs USA.gov, I can usually point my friends in the right direction. Last week a friend [...]...
12. Medicare Card and Social Security Card Number Information 2011 Will my Medicare Part B premiums increase in 2011? Most Medicare beneficiaries will continue to pay the same $96.40 or $110.50 Part B premium amount in 2011. Beneficiaries who currently have the Social Security Administration (SSA) withhold their Part B premium and have incomes of $85,000 or less ($170,000 or less for joint filers) will [...]...
13. What if my social security card is lost or stolen? What if my card is lost or stolen? You can replace your card or your child’s card for free if it is lost or stolen. However, you are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits. For example, [...]...
14. Social Security Center in Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas Social Security Card Center Serving Nye County, Esmeralda County, Lincoln County and all of Clark County (except Laughlin). Special Instructions: This Card Center provides mail-in service or the option to visit a contact station for residents of the following ZIP codes: 89001, 89003, 89008, 89010, 89013, 89017, 89020, 89022, 89023, 89042, 89043, 89045, [...]...
15. 3 Million Disability Applicants Each Year For Social Security Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the agency is providing helpful health care information and website links to the more than three million individuals who apply each year for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits. ...