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.
How Do I Apply For A Social Security Card
Getting a Social Security card is actually a very simple process, and often, its free. There is no charge to replace your Social Security card with a new one, as long as you have not applied at least 3 times this year or 10 times in your life. You can actually do this online if you meet the following criteria:
- You are a legal citizen of the United States and are at least 18 years of age.
- You have a mailing address in the United States.
- You are not requesting a card with a new name, such as in the case of a legal name change.
- You have a government-issued ID card or drivers license from any of the states listed on the Social Security website.
If you do not meet all of the above criteria, then youll have to apply in-person and bring the required documents. The documents required depend on your citizenship and the card type youre requesting.
Applying For An Ssn When Adopting
Even if you adopt a child, you may still have to go through the social security card application process, but it all depends on the situation. For example, if the child you wish to adopt is a U.S. citizen already, they may have an SSN, so you wont have to go through the trouble. If you are adopting domestically instead, and you find out that your child doesnt have the SSN, you can get an ATIN or Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number. This will allow you to claim the child-related tax breaks during the pending adoption of the child.
The IRS Form W-8A, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions is necessary. Keep in mind that the ATIN will have a 2-year validity, after which you can extend it if the child adoption was not finalized. The ATIN can stop being used once the adoption is final. Then, you can use the typical process for applying for a Social Security number.
Also, if you wish to adopt a child from a different country, it is better to wait until the finalization of the adoption and the childs entrance into the U.S. to get an SSN. Once again, you will have to follow the same application process in this situation.
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How Long Does It Take To Get A Babys Ssn
Each state or jurisdiction has its own processing times for an application. The following link details the processing times for applications in different states. If you have not received the card within the stipulated time then you can contact your local Social Security Office or call on 1-800-772-1213 between 8 am to 5.30 pm. Every application for a Social Security Number takes about 10-15 business days to complete. It is advisable to check the waiting times on the link given before you follow up on your application.
Apply For A Social Security Number At The Hospital
The easiest way to get your child assigned a Social Security number is to apply shortly after the birth while youre still at the hospital. It doesnt cost anything and most medical providers have the necessary paperwork. During your stay, youll be asked to provide information for your babys birth certificate. At that point, youll also be asked whether you want to apply for a Social Security number for your baby. If you say yes, you need to provide each parents Social Security number.
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Documents To Submit To The Ssa
When applying for a replacement social security card for my child, there are specific documents you will need to provide. These documents must have your childs name, date of birth, and other identifying information. You must submit the original document or certified copy of it. Do not use photocopies or notarized copies, as the Social Security Administration cannot accept them. Other acceptable documents include your childs birth certificate or other official identification document that contains your childs name and current date of birth. You should also include a recent photograph.
The process is easier if you already have your childs social security number. However, if you have lost the card, it may not be necessary. The SSA will process a new card within ten days, but if you lost the original birth certificate, it may take longer. The birth certificate youll need to provide must be from the state in which your child was born.
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:
- 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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Fill Out The Application
The form is called Form SS-5. Fill it out, print it, and put all documentation with it. Keep in mind that you will need to provide all documents along with the application. Photocopies of these documents will not be accepted only the originals. If youre worried about keeping copies, keep in mind that all documents will be mailed back to you along with your new Social Security card.
How To Get Ssn For An Adopted Child
If the child being adopted is already a citizen of the United States, then there is a chance they already have a Social Security Number and Card. However, if you are adopting a child domestically and if he/she does not have one, you would need to obtain an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number to claim the related benefits while the process of adoption is pending. You would need to complete an IRS Form W-7A for adoptions that are pending in the United States. The ATIN is valid for two years and can be extended if the adoption is not through yet. Once the adoption is through, you can get a Social Security Number for your child by following the above procedure. You would need to complete the form and submit it to your local Social Security Administrative Office.
If you are adopting a child from a different country, then you will have to wait until the adoption is final and the child has entered into the United States to obtain a Social Security Number. You can then complete the form and submit it with the required documents to your local Social Security Administrative office. You can only make an application once all the formalities have been completed and the child has entered the United States of America.
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Wait For Your Childs Card
Once youve applied either through the hospital or your local Social Security Administration office, its time to wait for your childs card. This takes anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks. The processing time varies by state.
If your child is over a year old, this process might take even longer. Because the Social Security Administration needs to contact your states department of statistics to confirm your child’s birth certificate is valid, this is a longer process.
If Your Child Is Adopted
The Social Security Administration 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 childs 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.
Getting a Social Security number for your child is just one of the many legal issues youll need to address for your child as they grow up. But you got this. And ARAG is here to help protect whats most important to you.
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How To Get Your Newborn’s Social Security Number And Card
Welcoming a newborn is often an exciting and happy occasion. There are plenty of things to get ready, and parents might feel that there is not enough time. However, once the child is born, parents do need to take care of a few legal matters as soon as possible . On the one hand, its essential that parents obtain their childs birth certificate. Registering a birth and getting your babys birth certificate is a fairly easy process.
You will need your newborns birth certificate to apply for your childs Social Security number and card. Keep in mind that a persons security number must be protected as it is directly linked to their lifetime earnings, taxes, and more.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Social Security Number For Your Child
Generally, it takes between four to five weeks to receive the Social Security number and card if you had submitted the application at the hospital. However, this might vary depending on the state where you live. If your childs Social Security card has not arrived within six weeks you can head to your nearest Social Security office. You will need to take proof of your childs citizenship, age and identity as well as documents to identify yourself.
A childs Social Security number cannot be give out over the phone, therefore it is necessary for you to go in person, in the case that it has not arrived.
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Tips For Applying For An Ssn For A Newborn
Are you having a baby soon and youre thinking about getting a social security card? Here are some tips you should keep in mind:
- You will have to fill a document that requests the birth certificate of the newborn baby at the hospital. In this form, you will have the option to apply for an SSN for the baby too. If you write Yes, it is necessary to offer the SSNs of both parents. You can also still apply for the childs SSN if one parent has the SSN while the other doesnt. When its ready, the babys SSN will be sent by mail.
- It is voluntary to apply for an SSN for a newborn baby.
- It is better to apply for the SSN when the baby is born because the hospital will handle everything.
- Go to to find out the closest Social Security office.
- Complete Form SS-5 if you only file for the SSN later. Also, provide proof of your identity, proof of the babys identity, age and citizenship, and a copy of the birth record.
- Applying for the SSN is completely free.
Store Your Childs Card Safely
Finally, once youve received your childs Social Security number, keep their card somewhere secure. Identity fraud is a real threat, so make sure you have somewhere safe to keep the card secure. Youll need this number for tax forms, benefits, and other government documents.
Its smart to keep this with your other important documents. Preferably, store it in an easy to secure safe or another storage system. Learn more about how long to keep documents for more information on how to secure legal and government documents.
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How Long Does It Take To Get My Baby’s Social Security Card That I Applied For In The Hospital
Each state or jurisdiction has different processing times. See the chart below to find out how long your state takes to process the card application. If you waited the indicated length of time and still have not received your child’s Social Security card, visit your local Social Security office. You also can call us at 1-800-772-1213 , 8:00 am 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If you live outside the United States, refer to Service Around the World.Keep your child’s Social Security card in a safe place with other important documents. Do not carry it with you.The chart below shows the time it takes for each state to send the application and paperwork to Social Security. Allow an additional two weeks for Social Security to send the card in the mail.Social Security Card Application at Birth: Average Processing Times by State in Weeks Quarter Ending September 2021
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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