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 To Get A Newborns Social Security Card
In the United States, having a social security number is required, whether you are a student or an adult with a steady salary and your own home. However, if you have a newborn kid, you will need to file for an SSN for him or her.
The Social Security Number is extremely significant, and you cannot just bypass the procedure of obtaining one. So, how do you apply for a newborns social security card, and why is it so important?
Newborn Babies Social Security Number
A persons social security number is a tool for the government to identify them. As a result, even a newborn baby may be identified using a social security number. Obtaining the number also has a variety of advantages.
Fill out an application for a Social Security Number.
Fill out the SS-5 form.
Form SS-5, Application for Social Security Number, must be completed and both parents Social Security numbers must be provided. You can save time by visiting to the Social Security Administrations website and filling out the form there.
Present Documents as Proof
The next stage would be to provide at least two documents proving your babys citizenship, identity, and age. The childs birth certificate should be one of these documents. The other document might be the babys hospital birth record or another type of medical record.
Provide identification proof
You must now provide verification of your own identity. The passport and drivers license are acceptable forms for this assignment.
Apply for an SSN for a Newborn
How To Get A Social Security Card For A Newborn
The easiest way to apply for a Social Security card and number for a newborn is by completing a birth registration form at the hospital. You’ll need to check the “yes” box where the form asks if you want to apply for a Social Security number for your baby.
You’ll eventually need to provide both parents’ Social Security numbers, but if you don’t know both parents’ SSNs, you can still fill out the form.
If you didn’t deliver in a hospital, you weren’t given the birth registration form, or you choose to wait to get an SSN for your child, your other option is to visit your local Social Security Administration Office and request a number in person. This process requires you to do three things:
If you’d prefer not to make the trip, you can send a completed Form SS-5 along with your identification documents to your local SSA office by mail. However, you’ll have to send originals or certified copies of all identification documents, which is why most people opt to apply in person.
Read Also: How To Pick Up A Newborn
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.
Recommended Reading: What To Do With Your Newborn
Learn How To Apply For Your Childs Social Security Number
A Social Security number is the federal governments 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.
Heres how to get a Social Security number for your baby.
Recommended Reading: How To Help Newborn With Gas
You May Like: What Causes Jaundice In Newborn Babies
How To Get Your Child’s Social Security Number Right Away
The easiest and fastest way to apply for your child’s Social Security number is through the hospital when your child is born. The hospital, the agency that issues birth certificates in your state, and the Social Security Administration work together in a process called “Enumeration at Birth,” or EAB.
EAB is the easiest way to apply for a Social Security number for a newborn baby because the hospital does all the work. You complete the SSN application and order a Social Security card for your child as part of the hospital birth registration process. You don’t have to submit any supporting documentation.
When your child is born, the hospital usually fills out a birth registration form for you and has you sign it. Both you and your babys other parent should be ready to supply your Social Security numbers as part of the application process.
EAB can only be used when your child is born in a hospital. Its not available for home births or for infant adoptions.
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
Don’t Miss: How To Keep Your Newborn Awake
How To Replace Or Correct Your Childs Social Security Card
Social security cards are essential documents, so itâs important to keep them in a safe place to avoid losing them. However, things outside your control, like theft or natural disasters, could cause your card to be lost. In this case, youâll want to report a lost social security card. On the other hand, you might need to correct your childâs social security card with an updated name or other change.
In either case, the process is similar to applying for a new card. Youâll need to go to your local social security office and bring the same paperwork listed above for a .
For a correction, youâll also need to document the legal name change with documentation like:
- An adoption decree with the childâs new name
- An amended birth certificate showing the new name
- A court order approving the childâs change in name
Every person is eligible for ten replacement social security cards over the course of his or her life, with a maximum of three per calendar year. However, corrections do not count toward these totals. And the limit may not apply if you can prove that you will face dire consequences if you canât get a replacement card.
Now you know all there is to know about how to get social security card for a baby and how simple it can be.
What Is The Purpose Of The Social Security Number
The Social Security number is a nine-digit number which the U.S. government issues to all U.S. citizens . Eligible U.S. residents are able to apply for one as well. This number allows the government to keep track of your lifetime earnings as well as the number of years worked.
U.S. citizens need a SSN to be able to work. An employer will always ask for the social security number, and they will report your income to the Internal Revenue Service, IRS.
Instances when a person is asked to provide their Social Security card or number also include:
- Opening an account with any U.S. financial institution
- Applying for a federal loan
- Applying for certain types of public assistance
- Enrolling in Medicare
- Filing your tax return
- Getting a drivers license
Without a Social Security number, financial institutions will not be able to run a credit check, and therefore, making it more difficult to get a credit card or a loan.
You May Like: Why Does My Newborn Keep Spitting Up
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.
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.
Also Check: Why Newborns Sleep So Much
You May Like: How Much Formula Should I Feed A Newborn
How Do I Look Up My Child’s Social Security Number
You won’t be able to find your child’s SSN online due to the sensitivity of this information. You’ll need to contact the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov and eventually visit your local SSA office in person with the proper identification to find out your child’s SSN.
Once your baby’s SSN card arrives in the mail, keep it in a safe space at home with other important government-issued documents such as birth certificates and passports. This way, the card is less likely to be misplaced or stolen, and it’s readily available when you need to reference your child’s Social Security number .
Original Card For A Us Born Child
Important
Social Security must verify a birth record for all U.S.-born applicants who apply for an original SSN. An exception is made for a parent who applies for a babys SSN at the hospital when the baby is born. To verify a birth record, we will contact the office that issued it.
All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. We also cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.
Get a certified copy of a document showing a birth, marriage or divorce that took place in the United States.
Adoption
In some cases, we can assign your adopted child a number before the adoption is complete, but you may want to wait. Then, you can apply for the number using your childs new name. 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. For more information, see Social Security Numbers For Children .
Don’t Miss: When To Bathe A Newborn Baby
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.
Does Yawning Always Mean A Baby Is Tired
Yawning is a good indicator your baby is tired once they are 4 months +, but then once they get mobile we get into the tricky situation where they might be out of sight when that first yawn appears and by the time you see the yawn, they are grumpy and over tired, you missed the first 3 yawns as they were rolling under
Read Also: What Is The Best Pacifier For A Newborn
Proof Of Us Citizenship
You will need to prove your citizenship status or permanent resident status to the Social Security Administration when applying for benefits. If you were born in the United States and provided a U.S. birth certificate to prove your age, then you should be good to go. However, if you were not born in the United States, you will need to provide other documentation.
There are a few different documents that can be used to provide your citizenship status. A U.S. passport will suffice, as will a certificate of naturalization. A permanent resident card can also be used to prove your immigration status to the Social Security Administration. Remember that you will need to provide original documents, so you might want to visit your local Social Security Administration when applying for benefits so that you dont have to send these documents in the mail.
Also Check: How To Have A Newborn Sleep Through The Night
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.
Create a free Cake end-of-life planning profile and instantly share your health, legal, funeral, and legacy decisions with a loved one.
Read Also: What Should A Newborn’s Poop Look Like