General, Social Security Number and Card

How To Get Your New Baby’s Social Security Number

December 9, 2021 • By

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Last Updated: December 9, 2021

father holding a newborn baby smiling with the motherWelcoming 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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About 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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Comments

  1. Christina

    Hi. I was told to print an application from this website for a replacement card for my child, but i cannot find the application to print. Can someone send me the application or a direct link to the application?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Christina. For information about how to apply for a replacement card for a child and how to get an application for a Social Security card, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. Thanks! 

  2. eric

    hello,
    we filled all the appropriate paperwork with the hospital after our daughters birth. However, we never received it in the mail. What is the quickest way to get her number? The local office is closed due to covid protocol. I just need for the SSA to mail out her card again.
    It does not surprise me we didnt receive the card our USPS carrier often drops our mail in the wrong mailbox. Only way we know this is because a couple times the person receiving was nice enough to bring it to us. With that being said with all the security hoops and paperwork one must go through just to receive a card. once it hits the mailbox all the security hoops we just jumped through are now left in the hands of the US’s most primitive way of receiving information. The most unsecured way to steal someones identity is intercepting mail or mail carriers delivering to wrong address. At the end of the day its a way to pass the buck because at the point it hits the mailbox its out of t he ssa’s hands and now is the responsibility of the USPS.

    Sorry for the rant. Just frustrated that with the technology available it takes 6 to 12 weeks to get a card.

    thanks, eric

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Eric. We are sorry to hear about your experience. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

    • Whit

      Same thing happened to me.

  3. Jane D.

    Hello. My son is going on 10 months this month and i have still yet to receive his card nor has anyone answered any phone calls for me.

    I would really like some assistance please.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Jane. Please be aware our call volume is higher than normal. We encourage you to continue to work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this is resolved soon.

  4. Tameicsha

    My son will be 3 months on 2/27/22 and I still have not gotten his SS Card. The Rep at the 1800 number was rude. I was explaining that I had a home birth and I only have my sons birt certificate. She said oh well sorry your baby was born at home. i asked to speak to a manager she said and I quote “NO!” and hung up on me after I had waited 26 minutes on hold before someone answered. This is madness. I called back 2 more times talked to 2 different agents then I spoke with someone at my local office and they all gave me 3 completely different answers on the documents that I could use to get him a bit certificate. My son can’t even get insurance because he has no SS number.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Tameicsha. We are sorry to hear about your experience. You can find what documents you will need to get a Social Security Card for a child by visiting our Learn What Documents You Will Need to Get A Social Security Card page.  Using the blue buttons on the left of the page, select who the card is for, type of card, and citizenship of the child. You will then see the required documents. 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.

  5. Cory

    It’s been four months when I was told it’s delayed and in the mail and I still don’t have my baby boy’s SSN#. I don’t need the card, I just simply need the # so I can file taxes and for daycare.

    I called the 800# and all they said was to request a new card at your local office but that does me nothing if the original card is already four months delayed.

    Please help or direct me to someone who can provide me with my son’s SSN#.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Cory. We are sorry to hear that. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. Please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps.

  6. Ne

    Do u have to be on the birth certificate to apply for someone’s social security card

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Ne. Thanks for your question. You can use a birth certificate to prove your age or citizenship; however, you cannot use it as proof of identity. To see if you’re eligible to apply for a replacement Social Security card online or to learn more on the process and what documents you will need to get a card please visit our Social Security Number and Card page.

  7. Dawanda A.

    Thanks to whom ever

  8. Dawanda A.

    I really really need this

  9. Dawanda A.

    I Really need Royalty Social Security number so I can start getting benefits back she has a surgery coming up soon and I got to get reapply for her Medicaid but I can’t without cause she never received a social security card

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Dawanda. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  10. Minsu S.

    NJ resident here. It has been more than ONE YEAR since I have attempted to get social security number for my baby daughter. Absolutely unacceptable, I was not able to even complete my tax return for TWO YEARS NOW because of this reason as I cannot file tax return without my daughter’s SS. Please I am running out of options. I do not want to file tax return without telling the government that I have a child. What else can I do?

    • Shamili M.

      Hi,

      This is really unacceptable. Similar situation happening with me now I am waiting since 9months now for my babies SSN. Did you atleast receive your baby’s SSN by now? If so can I know what is the process you followed to get it finally?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Minsu. We are sorry to hear that. Please continue to work with your local office. You can ask to speak to a manager on your next call. Please be aware our call volume is higher than normal. We hope this is resolved soon.

    • Angelica

      I am currently experiencing the same issue and the hospital as well as the local social security offices–which have been closed due to COVID in New York–have been of no help.

Comments are closed.