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
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Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
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Nykki R.
I had a child last year, the hospital didn’t send her information to Social security office, or did. After waiting three months I called social security they said I had to send in three forms of documentation in order for them to publish her a card. They sent her card in February but not my documents it’s been three months and every time I call they say it’s in the mail. They have my actual license her certified birth certificate and hospital records.
A.C.
Hi, Nykki. 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. We encourage you to continue to work with your local office. You can ask to speak to a manager on your next call or visit. We hope this is resolved soon.
Chris J.
My son was born the first week of April, 2022. We checked yes for a SSN while at the hospital. Will a SSN card be sent directly to us without any further action? If so, how long does this process typically take as I need it before 60 days in order to maintain health coverage for him.
A.C.
Hi, Chris. Congratulations on the new baby! Each state or jurisdiction has different processing times. For more information about Social Security cards for newborns, plesae visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
regina h.
my dughter was born in june and still havent got her social card ive lost lots of benefits and cant get the child credit for her, ive called n called n called tried going to a office, nothing ….
A.C.
Hi, Regina. We are sorry to hear that. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office for assistance. You can ask to speak to a manager. 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 is resolved soon.
Haley N.
My baby was born the very beginning of February and I haven’t received his ssc! I can’t get ahold of anyone on the line it says they are to busy and hangs up, I am about to loose his insurance due to not being able to prove he is a legal person!
A.C.
Hi, Haley. We are sorry to hear about your experience. We apologize for any problems you may have when you call us as we modernize our telephone system. We are working with our telephone system providers to fix these issues. Since your situation seems time sensitive, you may want to visit your local office. Most local offices have resumed in-person service for people without an appointment. Customers who walk in without appointments may encounter delays. 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.
Rolando G.
My daughter was born at home last week , i just want to know what document(s) i need to apply for her SSN, i have a letter from the Hospital stating my child was born at home, i think i need two forms though, what would be the second?
A.C.
Hi, Rolando. Congratulations on the birth of your daughter! For information about how to apply for an original Social Security card for your newborn and what documents to submit, please visit here. We hope this helps.
portal r.
thanks for sharing
M.C.
I think it’s about time we all start contacting news channels about this. It’s ridiculous. We need some kind of answers.
Kimberly S.
Hello I’m trying to get a replacement social security card for my five month old daughter. I’ve called many times and was on hold for an hour. I’ve made an account but I don’t see where I can request one for my daughter.
A.C.
Hi, Kimberly. Thanks for visiting our blog. You can only create a my Social Security account using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. You are not able to see your daughter’s information on your own account. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions to learn how to replace a Social Security card for a child. We hope this helps.
Viceli R.
Hello, I had a baby 2 months ago, i never received his social security card so I had to call and they gave me the address the ssc was sent to and it was the wrong address now I’m trying to call back so they can send it to my address but no one ever answers I need help ASAP please
A.C.
Hi, Viceli. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. Please be aware our call volume is higher than normal. We hope this is resolved soon.
Phil D.
Same exact problem. Had our baby in AUGUST still no social. Cannot get a hold of anyone. Phones are endless busy tone. (Phone line issues? C’mon!) Been calling for months. What an antiquated process. What a waist of tax payer $$ and tax payer time which is again a bigger waste of tax payer $$.
Joanna
Same exact situation! We can’t get ahold of no one. We need it for taxes because you can add a child after you submit them. They hung up on me it says “too busy try and at another time”. We all are experiencing the same thing.
Whitney
I had my baby girl in August and just now got her birth certificate, that I had to pay for! But haven’t received her social and I need it for taxes. Especially since there’s supposed to be a decent child credit this year. I can’t even get ahold of anyone.
A.C.
Hi, Whitney. We are sorry to hear that. We are sorry to hear about your experience. We apologize for any problems you may have when you call us as we modernize our telephone system. We are working with our telephone system providers to fix these issues. Local offices have resumed in-person service for people without an appointment. Customers who walk in without appointments may encounter delays. 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.
Does i.
Same thing. Son born in December and the card never arrived in the mail. I contacted the local office and drove all over the city for the documents for proof of identification and forms they asked for and had to drop them in the drop box bc the offices were closed bc of covid. I verified before dropping by calling yet again and was told yes those are correct forms. Then I was denied. Then told to repeat the same process. Getting a babysitter for my 2 small children to again contact and hunt down these doctors for forms and signatures to drive across town again to the drop box. I called weekly checking on the card and was told it was accepted and to wait that it will arrive soon. After several weeks of calling I finally was told it was my fault for not calling to file a ticket about its failed arrival within the window of time that no one told me about and that I did in fact call within that window several times. She then hung up in my face. I have attempted to call a different office and was told the social could be mailed and I could file taxes with it and then repeat the previous process again for the card later. I sent it this time to a relatives address just to make sure it was not the postal service with whom I have already filed a complaint with over this. The post office stated they have never recieved the card at all. Again this paper containing the number did not arrive at the new address either. Again with screaming toddler and infant I changed diapers and made bottles while carrying a phone on hold for 50 minutes to be hung up on 30 seconds into the call. The lines have been “under maintenance ” for months. I have emailed several times and get the same message that tells me to call the number that gets hung up on so I can waste my time. I’ve attempted online accounts but cannot create one for my son nor can I without the social security number in the first place. I’ve now been told to drive over 40 minutes away after again having to get a sitter and contact the doctor and drive to get the signed documents needed to come into the social security office amd file for the card again to which they will again mail this imaginary card to nowhere land. I have had to file am extension on my taxes and desperately need my refund as funds are low. I have contacted a supervisor and left messages and no one returns the call. It’s unbelievable to me that people can do this and still work there. What am I supposed to do when they claim to have mailed it for the total allowed times in one year? Then what? I just need my son’s social security number. You all should be ashamed of yourselves.
A.C.
Hi. We are sorry to hear about your experience. You can 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.