How To Get Your New Baby’s Social Security Number
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: December 9, 2021
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. We’ve 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 child’s birth certificate at the hospital, you’ll 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 don’t 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.
- Buy savings bonds.
- Get medical coverage.
- Apply for government services.
You can find more information by reading our publication, Social Security Numbers for Children.
Please share this information with people who are having a baby. Applying for a Social Security number at the hospital will save them time and let them focus on their new bundle of joy.
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Tags: Children, General Information, social security, Social Security card, SSN
See CommentsAbout the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
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Justice B.
Been waiting three months and still have no received my daughters Social Security Card, I’ve called local offices and the direct line for several days each time waiting for over an hour with no pickup. I need my daughters number for insurance and taxes are coming up soon(we usually file in February) and I need to get this sorted out. Why are they all so delayed? It’s a bit ridiculous.
V.V.
Hi Justice, thanks for reaching out. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information.
Shamili M.
I have been waiting for 9 months for baby’s SSN and I have been calling the help number for months, tried to visit the office, asking me to get appointment but no option is there book appointment online and when we are calling NO ONE IS ANSWERING THE PHONES!!!! Literally NO ONE. Not even the local office or 1-800-772-1213. I am going through the comments everyone is having the same issue and all are mentioning the same that they can not reach anyone in the SSA office. So what is the point in responding to everyone and asking them to call same old dead number.
A.C.
Hi, Shamili. We are sorry to hear about your experience. Please be aware our call volume is higher than normal. To ensure you have the correct contact information for your local office, please visit our Social Security Office Locator page. You can also submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.
Caroline H.
We applied for my grandson’s social security card when he was born in the hospital. His insurance company is requiring it now. He was born 4 months ago. Still have not received his SS Card. The local SS office is closed due to covid, by appointment only. There is no way to make an appointment online. I’ve been on hold to speak to someone at SS for 30 minutes now. We are all back to work post-covid. Why is SS not fully functioning?? How do we get my grandson’s social security card?
V.V.
Hi Caroline, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. Check out our Social Security Number and Card web page for details on how to get a new Social Security card for your child. If you click on Step 1, you can learn what documents you will need. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. All documents will be returned to you. Contact your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center to find out your submission options. We hope this helps!
Imelda
How long did it take?
johanna g.
I have been waiting for 3 months for my 3 month olds ssc and i have been calling the help number for weeks and NO ONE IS ANSWERING THE PHONES!!!!
Krystal
My baby is 4.5 months old- as filled everything out at the hospital and still haven’t received her social. And when we call- no one answers! Totally lost on what to do
V.V.
Hi Krystal, thanks for using our blog. We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing with Social Security. Please contact your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. We hope this helps.
V.V.
Hi Johanna, thanks for using our blog. Please contact your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. We hope this helps.
Kary
Same I just spoke to someone today and they said I have to re apply. I have to send actual documents not copies, so I guess I’m going to be driving around without a drivers license since that’s the only document I have. I also need to get a birth certificate in order to get her social. It’s ridiculous honestly!
Brittany
What about if your baby was born abroad?
Brittany
This was honestly not much help at all. there any many other types of birth situations and such should be addressed as well. One way and that’s it? Waste of my time reading this. Home birthed and still haven’t got it figured out for this
V.V.
Hi Brittany, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. Check out our Social Security Number and Card web page for details on how to get a new Social Security card for your child. If you click on Step 1, you can learn what documents you will need. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. All documents will be returned to you. Contact your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center to find out your submission options. We hope this helps!
Margaret J.
We called for weeks and never got to talk to anyone.
Roland M.
How do I do it if the child was home birth?
V.V.
Hi Roland, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. Check out our Social Security Number and Card web page for details on how to get a new, replacement or corrected Social Security card. If you click on Step 1, you can learn what documents you will need. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. All documents will be returned to you. Contact your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center to find out your submission options. We hope this helps!
Kyrin b.
How to order a new social security card
V.V.
Hi Kyrin, thank you for your question. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to apply for a replacement Social Security card. All submitted documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. Our Social Security and Coronavirus web page, under “Social Security Numbers and Cards” heading, provides details on the documents you need to mail in with your Social Security card application to get a replacement card if you’re unable to request a replacement card online. We temporarily expanded our policy to accept secondary identity documents. Contact your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center to find out your submission options. We hope this helps!
Gilles P.
Thanks for this helpful article.
I am currently going through the process for my daughter I had outside the country(USA)… after COVID19 in Kyrgysthan…
Joseph j.
Do not have any kids