| Your First Social Security Card |
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Social Security Number for a U.S.-Born Citizen Child (never had a number) Regardless of age, anyone physically and mentally capable may sign an Application for a Social Security Card. To apply for a Social Security number you must complete an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and show documents to Social Security proving your child's:
Take or mail your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office. Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number card must appear for an interview at a Social Security office. Social Security must verify a birth record for all U.S. born applicants who apply for an original Social Security number. Social Security makes an exception to this rule when a parent applies for a baby's Social Security number at the hospital when the baby is born. In all other cases, Social Security will contact the office that issued the birth certificate you submit to verify the document is legal. Adoption: Social Security 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 child's 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 (Publication No. 05-10023).
Citizenship Social Security can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. The documents they will accept include:
Age You must present your child's birth certificate if you have it or can easily obtain it. If not, Social Security can consider other documents, such as your child's passport to prove age.
Identity Your child: Social Security can accept only certain documents as proof of your child's identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your child's name, identifying information and preferably a recent photograph. They generally can accept a non-photo identity document if it has enough information to identify the child (such as the child's name and age, date of birth or parents' names). They prefer to see the child's U.S. passport. If that document is not available, they may accept the child's:
You: Social Security also must see proof of your identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph. For example, as proof of identity Social Security must see your:
If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, Social Security will ask to see other documents, including:
Social Security may use one document for two purposes. For example, they may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity. However, you must provide at least two separate documents. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. Social Security cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. They also cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document. Social Security will mail your child's card as soon as they have all of your child's information and have verified your child's documents. Verifying the documents can cause delays. It usually takes 7 to 10 days for you to receive your child's card. Keep your child's Social Security card in a safe place. It is an important document. Do not carry it with you. There is a card replacement limit of three per year and 10 per lifetime. Therefore, you need to safeguard the card. |