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
Comments
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Kim N.
How do I apply for my newborn’s social security number if not through the hospital?
A.C.
Hi, Kim. Social Security offices are currently open only for in-person appointments for limited, critical situations. We are unable to accept walk-in visitors. If you feel you have a critical situation, please visit our Coronavirus (COVID-19) page for more information and updates. We hope this helps.
Karline D.
Where do I mail my social security application for my newborn?
A.C.
Hi, Karline. Please contact your local Social Security office to determine your submission options. Thanks!
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Beverly
Hola yo tengo una niña de tres añitos y no me llego su tarjeta de seguro social al tiempo fui ala oficina del seguro y me dijeron k tenia k llevar un certificado medico y fotos
A.C.
Hi, Beverly. For information in Spanish, please visit us at http://www.segurosocial.gov, http://www.facebook.com/segurosocial, or http://www.twitter/segurosocial. For Social Security information in other languages, please visit us at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/multilanguage. Thanks!
Kassandra A.
I still haven’t gotten my baby card and I can’t get ahold of anyone on the phone. I need to add him to my insurance and I only have 30days after he was born . It’s been 8weeks and I still haven’t gotten it. I’m already going to hit my dead line at work to add him to my insurance.
V.V.
Hi Kassandra, thanks for using our blog. We are very sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 where we have representatives available from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. business days. You can also call 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.
Jenna
I still have not gotten my sons social security card/number. I have been calling non stop and he was born in July. I am a stay at home mom, my TANF will be pending for months until I get it. He is almost 6 months and I need his # and card. How to I get ahold of somebody if I’m on hold for hours at a time.
V.V.
Hi Jenna, thanks for using our blog. We are very sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 where we have representatives available from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. business days. You can also call 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.
Darryl
How about you answer the question instead of copying a pasting… we need our baby’s social and your number doesn’t help
Spencer
I also tried calling the central number and it simply told me “everyone is busy” and hung up on me – it didn’t give me a callback or even try put me on hold! Then I tried calling my local office and it gave me a busy signal!!
Meanwhile the DMV is fully operational *in person*, a relative joy of efficiency – SSA needs to get their act together and open up their offices, staff up their phones, and improve their phone systems.
With this level of dysfunction I’m extremely hesitant to mail critical original documents like passports to you.
Tasha B.
Can a baby place in my care through the courts from Canada get a social security number
A.C.
Hi, Tasha. Please check out our publication, Social Security Numbers for Children, for more information about what is needed and how to apply. If you have further specific questions, please call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Thanks!
JJ
What if you did not have a hospital birth?
Neither the website nor this blog has an answer for this question. Can you update it to have accurate information?
Spencer
What did you end up doing?
Offices have been closed for almost 2 years and the current guidance still recommends to go in person for non-hospital births!
On top of that the phones don’t work (it told me everyone was busy and hung up with no call back or putting me on hold, and the local office gave a busy signal) – SSA really needs to do better here.
Bidyut D.
My baby is my family members .next he is our family leaders
ERNESTO V.
Subject: SSA updating Direct Deposit.
My next payment is due 12/22/21. Today (12/16/21) I submitted an online request to update my direct deposit bank information. The process went well but I get the option for the update to take effect either in Feb or Mar. Of course I selected Feb. I wanted it to be effective next month. Why in this age of modern technology does it take 2 or 3 months for a simple update? Is the SSA that under staff? If you are, then you should have a computer program that does that automatically almost over night. What can I say just another efficient agency under Joe Biden. Come on 2024.
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Sonja W.
Stop blaming everything on President Biden!!!
I’m sure you didn’t send back your $1400 stimulus …
1. Your not the only one Soc. Sec. has to deal with and besides
2. Why don’t you do it yourself???
Go on http://www.ssa.gov and open your own “my Social Security” account
There you can arrange for direct deposit and if need be change it as well.
Try it! It will be done quickly if not overnight!
And stop being such a grouch, smile and have a Merry Christmas🎄 🎅
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Robert M.
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Amanda N.
I agree we are in an age where our souls not take 2 months to treasure affect. And I don’t get into politics conversations but I will say that this is nothing new or because of Biden because it has been this easy since at least 2005 my dad had ss and even if I’m wrong on that one kbow 100%since 2013 because that’s when mine and my daughters survivor benefits started and it was like that over the phone or online. Just like a job you sign up or change direct deposit and it don’t start the pay period you put it in but the following pay period same with this it just so happens that your Otay keeps is one a month verses a week
Mercedes A.
I having got my baby social security card and I need it
A.C.
Hi, Mercedes. Please contact your local Social Security office to determine the status of your child’s Social Security card. You can also call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Imelda
Why is it taking so long to get the card? My work only gives me one month after birth to add my baby to insurance.
V.V.
Hi Imelda, thanks for using our blog. For status of your child’s Social Security card, 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. We hope this helps.
Roger B.
No wonder my claim got screwed up every step of the way. Social Security had temp workers.
Wow!
That explains everything.
Terri
Vonda, No one answers when at the local office or the toll free number. The message is that they are busy and please try again. No one ever answers and the office is closed.
Robert M.
Mardis/Moser 2024 Make America Smart Again
Bidyut D.
Thank you so much for our socal security admission..I am so happy to join to United by outside .it posibal when Biden hurres is still president it’s the great king policy .thanks USA