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Social Security Numbers for Children

The easiest way to get a Social Security number for your newborn is to apply when you provide information for your baby's birth certificate in the hospital. If you wait to apply for a number at a Social Security office, there may be delays while the Social Security Administration (SSA) verifies your child's birth certificate.

Why should I get a Social Security number for my child?

You need a Social Security number to claim your child as a dependent on your income tax return. Your child may also need a number if you plan to

• Open a bank account for the child
• Buy savings bonds for the child
• Get medical coverage for the child
• Apply for government services for the child

Must my child have a Social Security number?

Getting a Social Security number for your newborn is voluntary, but it may be necessary to obtain important services, such as those listed above, for your child. Therefore, getting a number when your child is born is a very good idea.

How do I apply?

At the hospital—When you complete the application for your baby's birth certificate, you will be asked whether you want to apply for a Social Security number for your baby. If you say "yes," you will be asked to provide both parents' Social Security numbers, if you can. Even if you don't know both parents' Social Security numbers, you still can apply for a number for your child.

At a Social Security office—If you wait to apply for your child's number, you must do the following:

• Complete an application for a Social Security card.
• Show SSA original documents proving your child's
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Age
  • Identity
• Show SSA documents proving your identity and your relationship to your child.

Anyone age 12 or older who requests an original Social Security number must appear in person for an interview. This applies even if a parent or guardian will sign the application on the child's behalf.

Citizenship

SSA can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a

• U.S. birth certificate
• U.S. consular report of birth
• U.S. passport
• Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship

Noncitizens should see Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens (Publication No. 05-10096) for more information.

Age

If your child was born in the United States, you need to present your child's birth certificate. If a birth certificate doesn't exist, SSA may be able to accept a

• Religious record made before the age of five showing the date of birth
• U.S. hospital record of birth
• Passport

If your child was born outside the United States, you need to present your child's foreign birth certificate. If you have one or can get a copy within 10 business days. If you can't get it, SSA may be able to accept your child's

• Certificate of Birth Abroad (FS-545)
• Certificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350)
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240)
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Passport

Identity

Your child—SSA can accept only certain documents as proof of your child's identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your child's name, identifying information, and preferably, a recent photograph. SSA can generally accept a nonphoto identity document if it has enough information to identify the child. Information may include the child's name and age, date of birth, or parents' names. SSA prefers to see the child's U.S. passport. If that document isn't available, it may accept the child's

• State-issued nondriver identification card
• Adoption decree
• Doctor, clinic, or hospital record
• Religious record
• School or day care center record
• School identification card

You—If you're a U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask to see your U.S. driver's license, state-issued nondriver identification card, or U.S. passport as proof of your identity. If you don't have these specific documents, SSA will ask to see other documents that may be available, such as

• Employee identification card
• School identification card
• Health insurance card (not a Medicare card)
• U.S. military identification card
• Life insurance policy

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. SSA can't accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents, and it may use one document for two purposes. For example, SSA may use your child's passport as proof of both citizenship and identity, or it may use your child's birth certificate as proof of age and citizenship. However, you must provide at least two separate documents. SSA will mail your child's number and card as soon as it has all of your child's information and has verified your child's documents.

What if my child is adopted?

SSA can assign your adopted child a Social Security number before the adoption is complete, but you may want to wait until the adoption is finalized. Then, you can apply for the number using your child's new name, with your name as parent. If you want to claim your child for tax purposes while the adoption is still pending, contact the Internal Revenue Service for Form W-7A, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions.

What does it cost?

There's no charge for issuing a Social Security number and card. If someone contacts you and wants to charge you for getting a number or card, please remember that these Social Security services are free. You can report anyone attempting to charge you by calling the Office of the Inspector General hotline at 800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101 deaf or hard of hearing) from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or visit Link opens in a new windowhttps://oig.ssa.gov.

What if I lose the card?

You can replace your Social Security card if it's lost or stolen. You're limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Legal name changes and other exceptions don't count toward these limits. For example, changes in noncitizen status that require card updates may not count toward these limits. Also, you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship. Your child's Social Security card is an important document. It is recommended that you keep it in a safe place. Do not carry it with you.

Social Security Number Misuse

If you think someone is using your child's Social Security number fraudulently, you should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission via

• Internet (Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.identitytheft.gov)
• Telephone at 877-IDTHEFT (877-438-4338)
• TTY (866-653-4261)

It's against the law to

• Use someone else's Social Security number
• Give false information when applying for a number
• Alter, buy, or sell Social Security cards

Contacting Social Security

The most convenient way to contact SSA from anywhere, on any device, is to visit Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.ssa.gov. There are several things you can do online, such as apply for benefits, get useful information, find publications, and get answers to frequently asked questions. When you open a my Social Security account (Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.ssa.gov/myaccount), you have more capabilities. You can review your Social Security Statement, verify your earnings, and print a benefit verification letter. You can also change your direct deposit information, request a replacement Medicare card, request a replacement Social Security card (if you have no changes and your state participates), and get a replacement SSA-1099/1042S.

If you don't have access to the internet, SSA offers many automated services by telephone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call them toll-free at 800-772-1213 or at their TTY number, 800-325-0778, if you're deaf or hard of hearing. A member of staff can answer your call from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, if you need to speak to a person. SSA asks for your patience during busy periods, since you may experience a high rate of busy signals and longer hold times to speak to someone.