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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Lesly
I been at it since July I applied for a social security for my daughter and still haven’t gotten anything so now I don’t know what to do I can’t claim her for my taxes because I don’t have it and I called the social security administration and they told me to contact my local office but my question now is do I have to apply again for her social ? I’m just so overwhelmed with trying to get this done
A.C.
Hi, Lesly. We are sorry to hear about your experience. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a supervisor on your next call. We hope this is resolved soon.
Viceli R.
Hello, I had a baby 2 months ago and I’ve been told the hospital did a wrong address when I applied for it, I’ve been calling but no one has ever answered I don’t know what to do cause the office has been closed and I can’t get a hold of anyone, I’m desperate cause I need to get him his passport and I need his social I need help ASAP please!!!
A.C.
Hi, Viceli. 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. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for information on how to replace a Social Security card for a child. We hope this helps.
sean C.
I had a ask question about sga I am making over with sga limit 1,350.00 per monthly my gross before tax how I could do still low below that I not want lose any my benefits on SSDI my hours is fine from work my gross pay go up 2,000.00 how fix that please let me know
sean C.
Or not tell me
A.C.
Hi, Sean. Unfortunately, your comment is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. For your security, we do not have access to information about your account 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.
Kenna B.
We had applied for a social security card for my child in October and have yet to receive it. Where else can I apply for one? I can’t find anything on the website and the application form requires two forms of ID. She is 5 months old, she only has a birth certificate, so I don’t know what else I would send
Hailey N.
My son was born in oct too . I still haven’t got mine.
I wanna add him to my taxes and can’t
A.C.
Hi, Kenna. We are sorry to hear that. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for information on how to replace a Social Security card for a child. You can also contact your local Social Security office to follow up on the status of the application. We hope this helps.
Erin B.
What do we do if our local office is closed to the public?
We are having the same issue as others, our son was born in November and we still haven’t gotten his card. When we called back in January the agent then said that it’s been sent, but it’s March and still nothing😕 I checked 3 different zip codes and all offices are closed to the public.
We have to file our taxes but can’t without his ssc.
A.C.
Hi, Erin. We are sorry to hear about your experience. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue.We encourage you to continue to work with your local Security office. We continue to provide help in our offices by appointment only. In early April, local Social Security offices plan to add more in-person appointments and will again offer in-person service for people without an appointment. We have not set an exact date in April. Visit How to Get Help from Social Security to learn more, including what to know if you need to visit an office.
Jami
SSA is behind, but nothing is being done from within,
Hire NTE 700 hour employees, use overtime. Doing nothing yields nothing. An online request to GET a SSN with later document presented should be enough. Have a genetic NEW number that can be used for 90 days. New parents are talking to each other…talk to Congress using their online contact. Backlog is over. Do something.
Jacob p.
My daughter was born in September, we applied for one at the hospital, have not received it yet. Don’t know where I would look for a status or something, but it’s upsetting.
A.C.
Hi, Jacob. We are sorry to hear that. Please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. Keep in mind we are currently having problems with our phone lines. You may experience service issues, including poor call quality, dropped calls, and long wait times. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and we appreciate your patience. We hope this is resolved soon.
Renee M.
I’ve been calling social security for a week now. A WEEK. I’m trying to get a number for my daughter. It is nearly impossible to reach someone. When I finally did reach someone, I was told to call my local office. When I call my local office, the number either comes up busy, OR if I am able to get through, the call disconnects. This is ridiculous. If the phone lines don’t work, I should be able to go in, in person. It shouldn’t be such a hassle to get a number for a child.
A.C.
Hi, Renee. We are sorry to hear about your experience. Please be aware our call volume is higher than normal. We continue to provide help in our offices by appointment only. In early April, local Social Security offices plan to add more in-person appointments and will again offer in-person service for people without an appointment. We have not set an exact date in April. Visit How to Get Help from Social Security to learn more, including what to know if you need to visit an office. We hope this helps.
Emily
We have been trying for four months, to get my daughters Social security number and trying to get even appointment, this has been very stressful. The offices never help seeing you can not get ahold of anyone, i sat on the call for 2hours, then got disconnected, I start the call starting at 8am every morning. This is crazy and frustrating. I need to get my taxes done and can’t all because the social security department will not help at all. just get the same run around.
A.C.
Hi, Emily. We are sorry to hear that. Please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. Keep in mind we are currently having problems with our phone lines. You may experience service issues, including poor call quality, dropped calls, and long wait times. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and we appreciate your patience. We hope this is resolved soon.
Zach M.
I’m having the exact same issue with a child born in June. JUNE! Endless busy signal whenever I call the local office. When I tried the national line I got routed through a phone tree and finally dropped. This is madness. How am I supposed to get my child tax credit?
Liz F.
Literally have had the 💩 experience with the SS office!! Had my daughter naturally and a certified birth center… the midwives applied for the card and the dumb postal service didn’t put it in my mailbox because my 6 week old baby’s name wasn’t on my mailbox. Here we are six months later and they won’t let me reapply with the same information that the birth center used and they won’t accept the documents!!! The same ones that were approved when the midwives did it. Now they’re asking me to fill out some religious form??! No one will answer any phone, can’t go to the office because it’s closed even though covid was over 80 years ago. If the DMV is open y’all are fine!
K.O.
Hi, Liz. We are sorry to hear about your experience. We are currently having problems with our phone lines. You may experience service issues, including poor call quality, dropped calls, and long wait times. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and we appreciate your patience. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue to work with your local office. We hope this is resolved soon.
Patricia B.
having same exact issue
Matty R.
Obtaining a social security card/number for my newborn is proving to be impossible. Also trying to obtain a new card due to a name change for my son with no luck. You can’t go into the office (the guard turned us away), I have called all phone numbers and it is either busy or you will be on hold and then they disconnect the call. This is a nightmare. The website isn’t helpful and doesn’t give any info on how to get my childs social. Very disappointed in this system.
Dennisha
It is difficult. But I had my child they just gave me paperwork to fill out and told me the melon it was no way during covid for them to file for me. Before covid it was easy so you get your child’s social security number neon with cold it it was so fast everything happened so quickly like I was in the hospital for only 2 days
Karim O.
What 🤣🤣🤣
Patricia B.
Yeah, same issue and it is tax time need the newborn card
Liana C.
Again I am writing as I have not received a response, it is so unprofessional the treatment in trying to obtain a social security card for an infant, as I have notice other comments made. It is imperative that we get a social security card of the infant as we need to establish medical coverage, complete taxes and other issues, please respond and provide a outcome to this request.
Liana C.
I just moved from Turkey and I have a 4 month old daughter with a US citizen birth certificate and I need to obtain a social security card, have not had any luck with setting an appointment on the phone since the office is closed and I made several unsuccessful attempt to make appointment. How can I obtain an appointment for my daughter?
A.C.
Hi, Liana. We are sorry to hear that. We are currently having problems with our phone lines. You may experience service issues, including poor call quality, dropped calls, and long wait times. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and we appreciate your patience. We encourage you to continue to work with your local office. We continue to provide help in our offices by appointment only. In early April, local Social Security offices plan to add more in-person appointments and will again offer in-person service for people without an appointment. We have not set an exact date in April. Visit How to Get Help from Social Security to learn more, including what to know if you need to visit an office. We hope this helps.
Stephanie L.
Is there anyway we can get a number at least on paper for tax purposes! My baby was born in September and still yet to receive his card! You guys are really messing with lots of family’s emotions here!
A.C.
Hi, Stephanie. We are sorry to hear that. Please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. Keep in mind we are currently having problems with our phone lines. You may experience service issues, including poor call quality, dropped calls, and long wait times. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and we appreciate your patience. We hope this is resolved soon.
Kristen O.
Hello – the 800 number provided is busy every time I call it. I wish there was a better way to get a hold of SS.
Sherri L.
Always busy cannot schedule online so unprofessional and disrespectful.
My granddaughter is 1 year old now. We have been at the office office 3 times. Security guard I rude. Told us that leave bc we don’t have a appt. Told him we just need aappointment! We’ve called probably 50 to 60 times and it’s constantly busy. We wait an hour and a half and no one picks up the phone. My son is military. It is mandatory that he has a social security card for his daughter that’s one year old. We’ve been trying and trying to get this done but we’ve been unsuccessful because of their unprofessionalism. My granddaughter needs health insurance to be enrolled in deers program with military for Tricare medical insurance. We cannot do anything without her social security card enrolling deers and then she can get on Tricare. Its horrible they need to get with it and they need to it’s ridiculous. My son cannot call at work or break bc social security office call is Way over a hour wait. Not to mention he is deployed some months and cannot call for a appt for her social security card. I am going to make a complaint to the ATTORNEY GENERAL.
636- 352 6724
Karim O.
What 😆
W. G.
Hey Sherri,
Sorry to hear what you’re going thru.
I am currently going thru the process myself and have had to fill out forms SS-5, DS-2029, DS-5507…
Based on your situation, you would need the same as well.
Google them up, read their simple instructions, fill them up and either contact the appropriate office mentioned or indicated on/by the forms, and you should be good.
They would have to do their job processing these papers and you would be taken care of certainly.
Take care!
Patricia B.
same issue
Jami
Congress members have field offices, multiple locations.
Contact constituent services. If SSA PAID penalties like they charge penalties, SSA might improve. At least with IRS–another backlog sob story–IRS pays interest, even when not at fault, like Taxpayer failed to sign. It should be acceptable to use the phrase Applied For on the input line for SSN for a new child. IRS should understand. It’s practically time to file…all these people late? File amended after April 15? Backlog of
4-6 months year after year, is not a backlog. SSA has antiquated methods. Touch tone phone, acquire 90 day SSN only authenticated when SSA backlog subsides. After the cows come home, they’re backlogged. Don’t try talking to SSA, talk to Congress.