How To Get Your Newborn’s Social Security Card

What About Adopted Children

If youre adopting a child or baby, you might be wondering what steps to take to get a Social Security number. The good news is if youre adopting a U.S. citizen, odds are they already have a Social Security number. Your adoption agency should provide more information about their documentation and legal status.

If your adopted infant does not have a number, youll need an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number . Youll use to apply for tax benefits while the adoption is pending. This is valid for 2 years and is extendable if the adoption is still not finalized. Once the adoption is legal, youll follow the same steps above to apply for a Social Security number.

Finally, if youre adopting a child from another country, the process is similar. Again, you need to wait until the adoption is finalized. From there, you can use the same process with the Social Security Administration office.

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.

When Do I Get My Social Security Number For My Baby

Getting a Social Security number for your newborn is voluntary. But, getting a number when your child is born is a good idea. How do I apply? At the hospital : When you give information for your babys birth certificate, youll be asked whether you want to apply for a Social Security number for your baby.

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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.

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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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.

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.

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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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Were There To Help If Disability Strikes

As a working parent, your earnings can become a source of Social Security protection for your family. If you retire or become disabled and unable to work, your earnings would be partially replaced by your monthly Social Security benefit payments.

A child who is disabled may depend on your help for a lifetime. When you start receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, your family members also may be eligible for payments. If you are a parent, caregiver, or representative of a child younger than age 18 who has a disability, your child may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income payments. More information is provided in the booklet.

For children 18 years or older who have been disabled before the age of 22 and continue to be disabled, Social Security benefits may be paid to them if you retire, become disabled, or die. Social Security benefits for disabled children may continue as long as they are unable to work because of their disability.

Additionally, you can find information on the specific benefits and qualifications in the publication.

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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

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 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:

At The Social Security Office

If you did not apply for a Social Security number at the same time you filled out the information for the childs birth certificate, you can do so later at a Social Security office. In this case, you must:

• Complete an application for a Social Security card

• Show original documents proving your childs:

• U.S. Citizenship

• Identity

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Where Can I Get A Social Security Card

If you have never been issued a Social Security card, you may apply for one at no cost at a local Social Security office. You will need to:

• Bring a completed Form SS-5 and,
• Provide at least two documents to confirm your age, identity and citizenship or legal presence.

Acceptable documents include but are not limited to an original birth certificate, valid U.S. driver’s license, state-issued identification card or U.S. passport. If a U.S. birth certificate exists you MUST submit it. See Learn What Documents You Need to find acceptable documents. Only originals or copies certified by the agency that issued the document will be accepted. Individuals who are not U.S. citizens must provide a current U.S. immigration document and foreign passport with biographical information or photograph.

Related Documents & Topics

• Additional Driver’s License Related Information

If you have lost your Social Security card and need to get a replacement, you may be able to request a replacement online:

You can use a my Social Security account to request a replacement Social Security card online if you:

• Are a U.S. citizen age 18 years or older with a U.S. mailing address
• Are not requesting a name change or any other change to your card and
• Have a driver’s license or a state-issued identification card from Michigan or one of the other states listed.

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.

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