Yes, they want to meet me, at which point they want me to provide all the documents to photocopy them. I understand now. Thank you PP, I appreciate your input!

I've always had to provide it upfront for agencies, but only as PP said - bringing it in for them to photocopy. Also had to show all other IDs (passports, licenses) upfront as well so my legal to work papers were sorted out before they began sending me to interviews.

Do they want you to bring in your SS card? They don't expect you to mail it to them or anything crazy like that; right?

I've only given mine after a firm job offer, like 17:40 said. But I've also never worked with an agency.

OP here. Thank you for the reply. They want to have a preliminary background done on every nanny they are interested in.

I think they should not demand it until you have a firm job offer, pending background check.

I sent my nanny application to a small, local nanny agency and they are requesting my social security card. They would like to make a copy of it too. I am a little hesitant to do so. I offered to do the background check myself and sent it to them right away (I would pay for it too), but they refuse and want to see the card. I am a citizen and have a clean criminal record, I am just worry to give away my SS number do easily (identity theft, for example). What do you think? Do I have to hand it out? I would love to hear from other nannies and their experience, but also from nanny agencies.

Thanks!