Why Should I Get My Childs Social Security Number
One of the main reasons to get your childs Social Security number after they are born is so that you can claim your child as a dependent on your income tax return . You also need your childs social security card if you are planning on:
- Opening a bank account for your child
- Buying savings bond for your child
- Getting medical coverage for your child
- Applying for government services for your child
Getting a Social Security number for your child is not obligatory, however, applying for one is an easy enough process and will benefit you and your child.
If your child is adopted, the SSA can assign them a Social Security number. You can apply for the number using your childs new name as well as your name and details as a parent.
Getting the Social Security number and card for your child does not carry a cost, in other words, Social Security services are free.
Whether you choose to complete the birth registration form at the hospital, or head to the SSA office later on, you will certainly need an . USBirthCertificates is a convenient and secure way to get your childs vital records.
Corrected Card For A Noncitizen Child
If you legally change your childs name because of adoption, court order or any other reason, you need to tell Social Security. If your child is working, also tell your childs employer. If you do not tell us when your childs name changes, it may:
- Delay your tax refund or your childs refund and
- Prevent your childs wages from being posted correctly to your childs Social Security record, which may lower the amount of your childs future Social Security benefits.
Important
You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. All documents must be current . We cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.
Submitting Your Application By Mail Or In Person
The final step is to submit the SS-5 form and your original or certified documents to your local Social Security office or card center, either by mail or in person. You can find the address online using the Social Security Administrations Field Office Locator.
If you apply by mail, the office or center will mail your original documents back to you along with your new Social Security card.
One advantage of going in person is that you eliminate the possibility that sensitive or difficult-to-replace personal documents, such as your original birth certificate, drivers license, or passport, will get lost or stolen in the mail. If you have any questions, you can also call that office beforehand and ask which documents you need to bring with you.
Generally, the Social Security Administration says, it will take two to four weeks to process your application and send you your card.
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Procedure For Replacement Of Social Security Card For A Child
You could by no fault of yours lose or misplace the Social Security Card of your child. There is no reason to fret as the process of reapplying for the same is simple and easy. If you have lost the social security card for your child, then follow the below steps to re-apply for one:
1. Gather the following documents for proof
- The document confirming the identity of the child .
- Proof of US citizenship for the child.
- A document detailing the immigration status of the child if the child is not a citizen of the United States.
2. Gather the documents relating to proof of your identity
- Driving license or passport.
- Custody papers if the child is adopted or proof of relationship with the child.
3. Complete the application form SS-5 for a Social Security card.
4. Send the completed form along with the original or certified documents via mail or in-person to the local Social Security Office.
Social Insurance Number Newborn Registration
Parents can use the Newborn Registration Service to complete their child’s Birth Registration and apply for their childs Social Insurance Number . With this integrated application, parents no longer have to deal with different levels of government and repeat the same information in separate applications.
When applying through the Newborn Registration Service, you should receive your child’s SIN in the mail within 10 business days from the date your child’s application was processed by the province. If more than 15 business days have passed and you would like to find out the status of your application, contact the SIN program.
You must be the parent of the child and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to use this service. If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may still be eligible but you will need to visit a Service Canada Office to apply for your childs SIN.
This service is available in all Canadian provinces, but is not currently available in the territories. For parents living in the territories, consult Section 3: What you need before you apply for your childs SIN.
Notes:
For additional information on the Newborn Registration Service, visit your provincial website:
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How To Apply For Your Childs Social Security Number
Applying for the Social Security Number for your baby is easy. You need to provide evidence of your identity and also your babys identity. You also have to submit several acceptable documents that confirm a few details during this process. The following are the steps to apply for a Social Security Number if you have a child in the hospital in the United States:
- Completing a birth registration form. The form has a box to check and you would need to provide the Social Security Numbers of both parents. Most hospitals distribute the birth registration form to the expecting mother.
- While completing the form, tick the option for applying for a Social Security Number.
- Provide the Social Security Numbers of both parents. In case you do not have both, you can provide just one. Submitting just one number also validates your application.
Once the agency receives your documents, the Social Security Number for your child will be sent via mail.
If for some reason you did not have your baby in the hospital or did not get a form to complete, you can visit your local Social Security Administrative office and request it in person. Below are the steps that you would need to follow:
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Documents Needed To Apply For A Childs Social Security Card
To get a new SSN or replacement card, you will need to fill out the SSAs Application for a Social Security Card. You will also need original documents proving the applicants U.S. citizenship, age, and identity. If you are a parent applying on your childs behalf, you will have to prove your own identity and that you are their parent. Submitted documents need to be valid, unexpired originals.
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What Is A Social Security Card
Your Social Security card is an important piece of identification. You’ll need one to get a job, collect Social Security, or receive other government benefits.
When you apply for a Social Security number , the Social Security Administration will assign you a nine-digit number. This is the same number that is printed on the Social Security card that SSA will issue you. If you change your name, you will need to get a corrected card.
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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:
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How To Get A Social Security Number For Your Newborn Baby: 4 Steps
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One of the most important identifying numbers for U.S. citizens and U.S. residents is the Social Security number. This nine-digit number is used by the U.S. government to keep track of years worked, lifetime earnings, federal aid, Social Security death benefits, and so on. This number is legally required to begin work, and its a vital part of the tax and credit process.
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When you have a baby, one of the first steps is securing their necessary legal documents. This includes filing for a Social Security number for your child. This is something youll need to add your baby to your health insurance, get tax credits, and open a bank account for them.
In other words, its how you ensure the country recognizes your baby. Like most things involving government paperwork, this isnt always an easy process. Keep reading to discover the steps needed to get a Social Security number for your newborn baby.
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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.
Applying For A Replacement Ssa Card
If you only lost the card but have a copy of your childs social security number , getting a replacement will be a lot easier. In fact, you may not even need to replace the card. Simply knowing their SSN is enough.
But if you insist on getting a replacement card, youll need to request it in person or mail your request to thenearest SSA office.
The SSA offersonline requests for social security card replacement. But the card owner must be 18 years or older to avail of this service which most likely isnt the case if youre making the request on your childs behalf.
Aside from theapplication form, the SSA will require documents proving your childs identity. To be valid, an identification document must show your childs full legal name and biographical information .
If your child was born in the US, any of the following documents would suffice as proof of identity:
- medical records maintained by the medical provider
- final adoption decree
- certificate of citizenship
- certificate of naturalization
For non-US citizens, just present a current unexpired document issued by the Department of Homeland Security showing your immigration status.
If the document doesnt have an expiration date, it should have been issued within the past four years. All documents must be originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. The SSA wont accept photocopies or even notarized copies. But no worries. All submitted documents will be returned to you together with your replacement card.
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Learn How To Apply For Your Child’s Social Security Number
A Social Security number is the federal government’s way of identifying your child. Your child will need a Social Security number in order for you to claim child-related tax breakssuch as the dependent exemption and the child tax crediton your income taxes. You will also need the number to add your new baby to your health insurance plan, to set up a college savings plan or bank account for your child, or to apply for government benefits that could help your little one.
Here’s how to get a Social Security number for your baby.
Make Payments To The Federal Government
Learn how to use Pay.gov to make secure, electronic payments to government agencies from your checking or savings account. You can use the online service for VA medical care copayments, U.S. district court tickets, U.S. Coast Guard merchant mariner user fee payments, and more.
If you need help, contact Pay.gov customer service.
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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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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.
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