Why Get A Social Security Number For Your Child
In light of recent data concerns, many people might wonder why you need a Social Security number for your child in the first place. Its not required legally, yet many parents apply for this number before leaving the hospital. As we mentioned above, this is an important legal number to have on hand.
The most common reason to apply for this number for your child is for tax purposes. If you want to claim your child on your federal income tax, youll need to provide their Social Security number. Theyre treated the same as any other dependent.
However, this isnt the only reason to secure this number. Other common reasons include:
- Health insurance for your child
- Bank or savings account for your child
- Savings bonds for your child
- Government benefits or services
- Beneficiary purposes if you start end-of-life planning
As you can see, there are a lot of reasons to start this process for your child. Applying for a Social Security number for a newborn or even an adopted child is easier than you think. With just a few short steps, theres no reason not to get a number for your child.
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Why Do You Need One
A Social Security number is important because you need it to get a job, collect Social Security benefits and get some other government services. You should keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers and avoid giving it out unnecessarily. Keep in mind that in many cases, even if you lost your card, you may not need a replacement. In most cases, simply knowing your Social Security number is enough. But if you do need a replacement, we make it easy.
Note:
Complete A Birth Registration Form
The easiest way to apply for your childs Social Security number is at the hospital. After your child is born, one of the parents needs to complete whats known as a birth registration form. This is how youll secure your childs birth certificate.
The hospital typically gives this form while the mother is still a patient, but you are always free to ask for one yourself during your hospital stay. On the birth registration form, theres a box to check to request a Social Security number for your child.
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Replace Your Child’s Lost Social Security Card
Tip
If you need to provide your child’s Social Security number on your tax return or a form, you’ll find the number listed on the front of the card. However, if you can’t find the card, try looking in your other records, such as previous tax returns.
If you’ve lost your child’s card, you can get a replacement card. The agency will issue three replacement cards per year, and up to 10 replacements during your a person’s lifetime for free. The document requirements are the same to replace the card as to obtain the original. However, if you’ve already established your child’s legal U.S. citizenship with the agency, you will not have to present a birth certificate or passport.
Tip
Many companies offer original and replacement Social Security cards, for a fee. Don’t pay money for this service. The Social Security Administration issues cards for free and offers assistance at 1-800-772-1213.
Plan For Your Childs Future
Keeping your childs Social Security number secure is an important step toward keeping his or her benefits safe like Social Security benefits for his or her future family. Children grow up fast, and it’s important to think about his or her later-in-life experiences, too.
Its never too early to plan well for yourself as well. Cake can help you store your will, name an estate beneficiary, and secure your legal documents safely online. Cakes free online profile ensures that all of your end-of-life resources are in one place so you wont have to worry about replacing a lost document ever again.
If you’re looking for more ways to protect or store important documents, check out our guides on how to store important documents and how long you should keep documents.
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How To Replace Your Childs Social Security Card
Securing your childs Social Security card is an important step in the process, but accidents do happen. If your childs card is lost or stolen, replacements are easy and free. Its important to note that you dont need the physical card. While its helpful to have, its more important to know the number. It rarely needs to be physically shown.
To apply for a replacement card for your child, follow these simple steps:
- Gather your childs documents – First, secure documents proving your childs identity, citizenship, or immigration status. This could be their passport, birth certificate, or other medical records.
- Gather your documents – Next, gather your own documents. Youll need to prove your identity and your relationship to your child.
- Complete the application form – Fill out the application form from the Social Security Administration. This is the same form used when applying for the initial card.
- Submit the form – Either file the form in person at a local Social Security office or mail it to your local center. All documents need to be submitted with the form, and they need to be original or certified.
From there, your local office verifies your documents and application. Your card should be received within ten business days of the date on your receipt. The number on the card is the same as your childs previous card.
Your Childs Birth Certificate
You will be provided a birth parents worksheet to complete in the hospital after you have your baby. The information from this worksheet will be used by the state of Ohio to create your babys birth certificate. See instructions for each hospital below: Bethesda North and Good Samaritan hospitals
McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital | TriHealth To receive a certified copy of your childs birth certificate, mail a money order made out to Butler County Health Department, including a self-addressed stamped envelope along with the completed application, to:
- Butler County Health Department 301 South Third Street Hamilton, OH 45011 513 887 5230
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Can I Get My Baby Social Security Number Online
The easiest way to apply for a Social Security number for your child is to complete a birth registration form, which has a box you can check to request a number for your child. To save time, download and complete Form SS-5 from the SSA website before you go.
Who Is Eligible To Request A Replacement Social Security Card Online
Requesting a replacement card online is available in most states. We are continuously working to make this service available to additional states.
The following states are not currently eligible:
The following states are not currently eligible:
- Alaska
- Oklahoma
- West Virginia
This service is also not yet available if your drivers license or identification card was issued by a U.S. territory .
You can use a mySocial Security account to apply for a replacement Social Security card online if you:
- Are a U.S. citizen age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address .
- Are not requesting a name change or any other change to your card.
- Have a drivers license or state-issued identification card from one of the many participating states or the District of Columbia.
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How To Get A Newborn Social Security Number
A newborn Social Security Number is one of the most important documents you can obtain for your new baby. With an SSN, you can enroll your infant in government programs and a medical coverage network. You can also open a savings account for him or her. For these reasons, it is important that you understand how to get a Social Security Number for a newborn.
If you give birth in a hospital, you may be prompted to obtain a Social Security card for your baby by hospital staff. Remember that this is the same as applying for an SSN for your child. This is because the SSN will be printed on your childs Social Security card. This is true regardless of whether you apply for a Social Security card for your newborn baby before you leave the hospital or at a later date in a hospital.
How to Get a Social Security Card for a Baby at the Hospital
You can apply for a Social Security Number for a newborn after you give birth at a hospital. Usually, this option is presented to you when you provide workers with information for your childs birth certificate. If you choose this option, you need to provide SSNs for you and the childs other parent. This is one of the most convenient ways to apply for a Social Security card for a newborn baby.
Can I apply for my baby Social Security card online?
- Identity.
Baby’s Social Security Card
- Getting a Social Security number for your newborn is voluntary and there are advantages. Your baby’s Social Security card will allow you to:
- open a bank account for your child
- get medical coverage for your child
- apply for government services for your child
- buy savings bonds for your child.
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How To Replace Your Childs Lost Or Stolen Social Security
You will need to take your application for a replacement card to your local Social Security office or mail it, Another thing is that when the parents file there taxes, its time to get them to your local Social Security Office, Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on how to replace a Social Security card for a child, Immigration status if the child is not a U.S, The FO: obtains proper identification and the death certificate from the requestor, Submit your replacement card application to your Social Security Office, you still can apply for a number for your child, You can also call the national helpline on 1-800-772-1213 to speak to an advisor, Getting a SSN is just the beginning of the valuable protection and benefits yourSSA must collect both parents SSN on an application for an original or new SSN for children under age 18 (i.e.
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How To Get Your New Babys Social Security Number
The most convenient way to apply for a Social Security number for your newborn is at that hospital before you leave.
Welcoming a baby to your family is an exciting time.
Doing paperwork, even for something as important as a Social Security number for your newborn, is probably one of the last things you want to do. Weve made it easy. If your child is born in a hospital, the most convenient way to apply for a Social Security number is at that hospital before you leave.
When you give information for your childs birth certificate at the hospital, youll be asked whether you want to apply for a Social Security number for your child. If you answer yes, you will be asked to provide both parents Social Security numbers. Even if you dont know both parents Social Security numbers, you can still apply for a number for your child.
There are many reasons why your child should have a Social Security number. You need a Social Security number to claim your child as a dependent on your income tax return. You may also need a number for your child if you plan to do the following for your child:
Open a bank account.
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Visit The Social Security Office
While the easiest way to secure your childs Social Security number is through the hospital paperwork above, not all babies are born at the hospital. Many babies are born at home or in another type of facility. Alternatively, some parents dont receive a birth request form from the hospital for some reason or another.
If any of the above applies to you, your Social Security Administration office is where you go to apply for your childs number. At your local Social Security office, youll need the following:
- Form SS-5 – This is the Application for Social Security Number. You can fill this out in advance or at the office. Its available on the Social Security Administrations website.
- Medical documents – Youll need at least two documents proving the age of your baby, their identity, and citizenship status. This is typically your childs birth certificate and medical records.
- Parent identification – Finally, bring proof of your own identity. This is usually your drivers license or passport. You must provide at least two separate documents.
You can apply for your documents in person or by mail. Because youll need to provide official or certified copies of your documents, its usually easier to apply in person. There is no charge for a Social Security card.