Losing or forgetting your SSS number can delay a job application, contribution payment, loan, or benefit claim. The fastest solution is usually to check an existing My.SSS account, the MySSS mobile app, or the email issued when you first registered. There is no public SSS database where anyone can search a number using only a name or birthday, and you should never apply for a second number just because you cannot remember the first one.

What Is an SSS Number?

An SSS number is the unique number assigned to a member by the Philippine Social Security System. It normally contains 10 digits and is commonly displayed in this format:

34-1234567-8

It connects your identity to your:

Employment and coverage history
Posted SSS contributions
Salary and calamity loans
Sickness, maternity, disability, unemployment, retirement, death, and funeral benefits
Beneficiary and dependent records
My.SSS online account

Your SSS number is different from your My.SSS user ID, employer number, Payment Reference Number, or Common Reference Number.

Under Republic Act No. 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018, the SSS administers the country’s social security program for covered private-sector workers, self-employed persons, overseas Filipino workers, and other qualified members. SSS describes the SS number as a unique lifetime number that must be used in all SSS transactions.

The Most Important Rule: Do Not Apply for Another SSS Number

If you were previously registered, you already have an SSS number even if:

You stopped working for many years
Your previous employer closed
You became self-employed or an OFW
You changed your surname after marriage
You lost your SSS or UMID card
You no longer have access to your old email address
You have never paid a contribution
Your number still has “temporary” status

Do not use the online SS number application to create a replacement number. SSS expressly instructs members who cannot remember an old number not to apply for a new one. Multiple SSS numbers can split contributions, delay benefit claims, and require a formal cancellation and consolidation process. (Social Security System)

Quick Ways to Find Your SSS Number Online

Method	What you need	Best for	Usual result
My.SSS website	Existing user ID, password, and authentication access	Members who can still sign in	Number appears in account or membership details
MySSS mobile app	Existing account or biometric login	Members already using the app	Membership details are displayed
Old SSS registration email	Access to the email used during registration	People who applied online	SS Number Slip or E-1/E-6 attachment
UMID Common Reference Number	UMID card and access to registered authentication method	Members who forgot their SS number but know their CRN	CRN may be used in the account-recovery process
Employer’s online records	Access to an employee portal, payslips, or HR	Current or former employees	Employer may confirm the number on file
Official SSS support channel	Personal details and identity-verification documents	Members who cannot access any account or record	Guidance, ticket response, or branch referral

All official retrieval and verification services are free. Be suspicious of anyone charging a “retrieval fee” or asking for your password or one-time PIN.

Method 1: Check Your My.SSS Account Through the Website

This is normally the fastest method when you still know your login credentials.

Go to the official SSS website.
Select Create a My.SSS account or login.
Choose the member login option.
Enter your My.SSS user ID and password.
Complete the required one-time PIN or authenticator verification.
Check the account header, profile, or Member Info or membership-details section.
Copy the SS number exactly as displayed, including the final digit.

The layout may change when SSS updates the portal, but the member’s identifying details are generally displayed within the account. SSS currently uses multi-factor authentication, which may send a six-digit code to the mobile number registered in its records. (Social Security System)

What if your browser saved your login?

Before starting an account-recovery request, check:

Your phone or browser’s password manager
An old laptop where you previously used My.SSS
Your browser’s saved bookmarks
Your email for prior My.SSS user ID or password-reset messages

Only sign in through an official sss.gov.ph page. Avoid links sent through unsolicited text messages, Facebook comments, or private messages.

Method 2: Check the MySSS Mobile App

The official MySSS mobile app allows members to view membership information, contribution records, and UMID or SSS ID details.

Open the MySSS app already installed on your device, or follow the official download links from the SSS mobile app page.
Sign in using your My.SSS credentials or biometric login, if previously enabled.
Open your profile or membership-details section.
Locate and record your SS number.

SSS lists viewing membership details as one of the app’s official functions. The app currently requires at least Android 9 or iOS 14, although these technical requirements may change in later releases. (Social Security System)

Check the app publisher carefully. Do not install an unofficial “SSS number finder” app or give an unknown app access to your government IDs, contacts, text messages, or email.

Method 3: Search Your Old Email for the SSS Number Slip

This is one of the most effective methods for people who applied for an SSS number online.

Search every email account you may have used during registration. Useful search terms include:

SS Number Online Application Confirmation
SS Number Slip
SSS Transaction Number
E-1
E-1/E-6
SSS Web Registration
member.sss.gov.ph
sss.gov.ph

Also check:

Spam or junk folders
Archived mail
Deleted-items folders
Cloud storage where you may have saved the PDF
Downloads folders on old phones and computers
Messages sent to a parent, spouse, employer, or recruitment agency during onboarding

For online applicants, SSS issues an email confirmation containing or attaching the following:

SS Number Slip
Transaction Number Slip
Personal Record/UMID Application, or E-1/E-6

The SS number is also displayed after successful online issuance. The activation link for creating a My.SSS account is generally valid for 30 calendar days, but expiration of that link does not cancel the assigned SSS number. (Social Security System)

Check that the email belongs to you

Do not rely solely on a name appearing in an attachment, especially if you have a common name. Confirm that the document also contains your correct:

Full name
Date of birth
Sex
Place of birth or other identifying details
Registration transaction number

A typo or data mismatch should be corrected through SSS rather than ignored.

Method 4: Use the CRN on Your UMID Card

A Common Reference Number, or CRN, is not the same as an SSS number. The CRN is usually associated with a UMID card and commonly contains 12 digits. An SSS number normally contains 10 digits.

The My.SSS account-recovery page accepts a CRN or SS number. This can help when you have your UMID card but cannot remember the underlying SS number.

Go to the official My.SSS login page.
Select Forgot Password.
Choose Member.
Select the available authentication method.
Enter the CRN shown on your UMID card.
Complete verification through SMS one-time PIN, an authenticator app, or security questions.
Set a new password.
Sign in and check your membership details for the SS number.

The SSS Citizen’s Charter states that the member password-reset process begins by requiring the member’s CRN or SS number and then uses multi-factor authentication or security questions. The published processing time for the automated process is approximately 10 minutes, with no fee.

This method will not work if you have neither the SS number nor the CRN, or if you cannot complete the required identity authentication.

Why “Forgot Password” May Not Solve a Forgotten SSS Number

A common source of frustration is that the My.SSS password-reset page itself asks for a CRN or SS number.

That means the reset function is useful when:

You know your SSS number but forgot your password; or
You forgot your SSS number but have a usable CRN from your UMID card.

It is not a general “search my SSS number by name” feature. If you do not know either number, move to your registration email, employer records, official SSS assistance, or branch verification.

Method 5: Check Your Employer or Payroll Records

An employer that reported you for SSS coverage should have your SS number in its employment or payroll records. Check:

Employee self-service portals
Digital payslips
Onboarding documents
Pre-employment requirement checklists
Scanned copies of your SSS E-1 or number slip
Emails exchanged with human resources
Company-issued records that specifically show your SS number

If the number is not visible, ask HR or payroll to verify the SSS number under which your contributions were reported. Employers require employees to provide their SS numbers for coverage reporting, and employment records containing the number can also help establish SSS membership. (Social Security System)

Ask HR to send the number through a secure method. Avoid requesting that it be posted in a group chat or copied to people who do not need access.

Confirm that the employer’s number is really yours

Before using the number, compare the employer’s records with your:

Complete legal name
Date of birth
Previous or maiden name
Employment dates
Contribution history once you regain My.SSS access

Payroll encoding mistakes sometimes place contributions under another employee’s number or under a second number accidentally obtained by the member.

Method 6: Submit an Inquiry Through Official SSS Channels

When self-service methods fail, use an official SSS support channel:

SSS Contact Us page
Email: usssaptayo@sss.gov.ph
SSS Hotline: 1455
The uSSSap Tayo or customer-relations facility reached through the official SSS website or app

SSS may ask for identifying information, supporting documents, or a personal appearance before releasing or confirming the number. It may also direct you to file a Membership/Coverage Verification Request at a branch. The official contact page identifies 1455 and usssaptayo@sss.gov.ph as member-assistance channels. (Social Security System)

When sending an inquiry, provide enough information for SSS to locate the record, such as:

Complete name used when you first registered
Maiden name or previous legal name
Date and place of birth
Approximate year of registration
Names of previous employers
Current contact details
Clear description of the problem

Do not email your password, one-time PIN, authenticator code, bank PIN, or full debit-card details.

Why SSS Cannot Offer a Public Name-Based Number Search

An SSS number is legally protected personal data. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 10173, or the Data Privacy Act of 2012, treats social security numbers and similar government-issued identifiers as sensitive personal information.

Because of this, SSS must verify that a person requesting the number is the member or a properly authorized representative. A public search tool based only on a name and birthday would expose members to identity theft, unauthorized account access, and fraudulent benefit or loan transactions. (Lawphil)

If You Cannot Find the Number Online

The formal fallback is a Membership/Coverage Verification Request at an SSS branch, service office, or foreign office.

This service can verify information such as:

SS number
Date of coverage
Employer number

Basic branch requirements

Based on the SSS Citizen’s Charter, prepare:

A properly completed Request/Verification Form
The required Data Privacy Notice/Consent
The original and a photocopy of one accepted primary identification document

Common primary documents include:

UMID or SSS card
Philippine National ID
Passport
Driver’s license
NBI clearance
Alien Certificate of Registration
Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book

When no primary ID is available, the Citizen’s Charter generally requires two identification documents, both bearing signatures, with at least one containing a photograph. Rules are stricter when a representative files for the member because SSS must verify both the member and the representative.

The service has no standard processing fee. The 2026 Citizen’s Charter lists a total processing target of approximately one hour and 39 minutes, including an estimated queuing period. Actual waiting time can vary based on branch size, walk-in volume, and peak periods.

Use the official SSS Branch Locator before visiting.

Requesting a copy of your E-1 or E-4

You may also request a copy of an existing member record, such as:

E-1 Personal Record
E-4 Member Data Change Request

These records normally show the member’s SS number. The Citizen’s Charter lists a Request/Verification Form, consent, and valid identification among the standard requirements. The service is free, with a published total processing target of about two hours and 20 minutes, although retrieval may take longer when older archived records are involved.

What OFWs and Members Abroad Can Do

OFWs and former Philippine residents should first try My.SSS, the mobile app, their old registration email, and previous employer records.

If these methods fail, contact an SSS foreign office. The SSS maintains foreign offices and service channels in locations including parts of Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Canada, and the United States. Its OFW support information also lists dedicated email and telephone channels. (Social Security System)

The branch-verification procedure applies through SSS foreign offices as well as Philippine branches. Bring your original passport or another accepted identification document. A Philippine apostille is not ordinarily relevant merely to verify your own SSS number, but additional authentication may be requested for foreign civil-registry documents used to correct a name, birthday, or other membership data.

A foreign national who was registered through Philippine employment may use the same retrieval methods. Coverage and benefit eligibility may depend on the person’s employment status, nationality, and any applicable international social security agreement.

Temporary and Permanent SSS Numbers

An online applicant may receive an SS number with temporary status when the supporting identity documents have not yet been approved.

The number itself is still the number assigned to the member. Do not apply for another one.

However, temporary status can limit online services. The SSS Citizen’s Charter explains that an applicant with a temporary number may generally pay contributions, but loan and benefit-claim services may remain unavailable until supporting documents are submitted and the number is tagged as permanent. SSS lists an estimated processing time of two working days after evaluation of uploaded documents, with no fee. (Social Security System)

After finding your number, check whether its status is temporary or permanent and complete the documentary process when necessary.

Common Problems and Practical Solutions

Your old phone number is no longer active

If you can still access My.SSS through another authentication method, update your contact information inside the account.

If you cannot sign in and there is no usable mobile number in the SSS database, SSS may require a Member Data Change Request at a branch. SSS has stated that members whose old registered numbers are still in the system may update contact information online, while those without a mobile number on record must generally file the change through a branch. (Social Security System)

Your name changed after marriage

Search under both your maiden and married names when checking emails and employer records. Your SSS number remains the same.

If SSS still reflects the old name, submit the appropriate E-4 request and supporting civil-registry document. Do not create a new number under the married name.

Your date of birth or name is wrong in SSS records

Recover the existing number first, then correct the erroneous data. Depending on the error, SSS may require a PSA birth certificate, marriage certificate, court order, passport, or other supporting records.

A mismatch should be resolved before filing a major benefit claim because it can cause additional verification and delay.

You discovered two SSS numbers

Stop using the newer or duplicate number until SSS determines which one should be retained. Bring records for both numbers to a branch and request cancellation or consolidation.

Keep copies of contribution records, payslips, E-1 forms, and employer certifications so SSS can identify contributions posted under each number.

An online “agent” offers to retrieve the number

Do not provide:

My.SSS password
SMS one-time PIN
Authenticator code
Selfie holding your password
Bank or e-wallet PIN
Full card information
Remote access to your phone

Use only SSS pages under the official sss.gov.ph domain and official app-store links published by SSS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find my SSS number online using my name and birthday?

No public SSS search permits anyone to retrieve a number using only a name and date of birth. Use your My.SSS account, mobile app, registration email, CRN, employer records, or an official verification request.

Can I register for My.SSS without knowing my SSS number?

Ordinary My.SSS member registration generally asks for a CRN or SS number and other matching registration information. It is therefore not usually a way to discover an entirely forgotten number.

Is my CRN the same as my SSS number?

No. The CRN is a separate government reference number commonly associated with UMID. The My.SSS portal may accept either a CRN or SS number for certain account-recovery steps.

Can my employer tell me my SSS number?

Yes, an employer or former employer may confirm the number in its employment or payroll records after verifying your identity. You should still compare it with official SSS records.

Can I get my SSS number through text message?

There is no general public SMS lookup that reveals an SSS number merely from a name or birthday. SMS is mainly used for authentication codes and official account notifications.

Does an SSS number expire if I stop paying contributions?

No. It is a lifetime number. You continue using the same number when changing employers, becoming self-employed, paying voluntarily, or working abroad.

Should I get a new number if my old number is temporary?

No. Submit the required supporting documents so that SSS can change the status from temporary to permanent.

Can a relative retrieve my SSS number for me?

A properly authorized representative may be allowed to file a verification request, but SSS will require identification and compliance with the representative requirements in its form and Citizen’s Charter. Informal permission through chat or text may not be sufficient.

How much does SSS number verification cost?

The official My.SSS services and branch Membership/Coverage Verification Request have no standard processing fee.

How long does branch verification take?

The SSS Citizen’s Charter publishes a target of about one hour and 39 minutes for a Membership/Coverage Verification Request, including estimated waiting time. Actual completion may be faster or slower depending on branch conditions and whether the record requires further investigation.

Key Takeaways

Your SSS number is a unique lifetime number; never apply for another one simply because you forgot it.
First check My.SSS, the MySSS app, your old registration email, UMID CRN, and employer records.
The My.SSS password-reset process normally requires either the SS number or CRN, so it is not a public lost-number search.
SSS does not provide a public lookup by name and birthday because social security numbers are sensitive personal information.
When online methods fail, request Membership/Coverage Verification from an SSS branch or foreign office with the required form, consent, and valid ID.
Official SSS number retrieval and verification services are free.