For NY state tax, married filing separate, is it mandatory to have spouse SSN?

[Happymonkey1234]

Want to confirm like in case of federal tax it’s not mandatory to have spouse SSN when MFS, is it the same for New York State tax?

[AbrahamT]

A spouse who is MFS is not required to provide the Social Security card for the other spouse although the return cannot be efiled. This is both the case for federal and NYS as well. 

[Happymonkey1234]

Follow up question- do I leave that column (spouse ssn) blank? Or is a cover letter needed?

[DaveF1006]

No, a cover letter is not needed but as AbrahamT mentions, you won't be able to efile your return.  Since you do need to mail in return, you might include a cover letter stating you tried to obtain the SSN but were unable to but this isn't mandatory.

@Happymonkey1234