Required documents for Social Security Card (Child application) – Simple Doc Filings

U.S. Born Child

Social Security must verify a birth record for all U.S.-born applicants who apply for an original SSN. An exception is made for a parent who applies for a baby's SSN at the hospital when the baby is born. To verify a birth record, we will contact the office that issued it.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. We also cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.

Get a certified copy of a document showing a birth, marriage, or divorce that took place in the United States.

Adoption

In some cases, Social Security can assign your adopted child a number before the adoption is complete, but you may want to wait. Then, you can apply for the number using your child's new name. If you want to claim your child for tax purposes while the adoption is still pending, contact the Internal Revenue Service for Form W-7A, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions. For more information, see Social Security Numbers For Children (Publication No. 05-10023).

What original documents do I need?

Citizenship

Social Security can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport.

Age

If you have or can obtain a U.S.-state-issued birth certificate for your child that records their birth before age five, you must submit it. If not, Social Security can consider other documents, such as your child's passport, to prove his or her age.

Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original SSN must appear in person for an interview. They will ask for evidence to show that your child does not have an SSN. Here are examples of documents you can use to prove an SSN was never assigned:

If your child lived outside the United States for an extended period, a current or previous passport, school and/or employment records, and any other record that would show long-term residence outside the United States could be used to show that your child does not have an SSN.
If your child has lived in the United States and is applying for an original SSN, Social Security may ask you for information about the schools your child attended or they may ask you to provide copies of tax records that would show that your child was never assigned an SSN.

Identity

Your child: While you can use a birth certificate to prove age or citizenship, you cannot use it as proof of identity. Social Security needs evidence that shows the child continues to exist beyond the date of birth.

They can accept only certain documents as proof of your child's identity. An acceptable document must show your child's name, identifying information (i.e., age, date of birth, or parents' names), and preferably a recent photograph. Social Security generally can accept a non-photo identity document if it has enough information to identify the child (such as the child's name and age, date of birth, or parents' names). They prefer to see the child's U.S. passport.

State-issued non-driver's identification card.
Adoption decree.
Doctor, clinic or hospital record.
Religious record.
School daycare center record.
School identification card.

The documents must be originals (such as state issued identification cards and school identification cards) or certified (such as school records or medical records). To be certified, the school or medical facility must affix a signature, stamp, or seal to the photocopy or extract attesting to the accuracy of the document. An electronically certified copy is not acceptable.

You: Social Security also must see proof of your identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age), and preferably a recent photograph. For example, as proof of identity, they must see your:

U.S. driver's license;
State-issued non-driver identification card; or
U.S. passport.

If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, they will ask to see other documents. Any documents submitted, including the following, must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph:

Employee identification card.
School identification card.
Health insurance card (not a Medicare card).
U.S. military identification card.

Social Security may use one document for two purposes. For example, they may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.

Foreign Born U.S. Citizen Child

You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. Social Security cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. All documents must be current (not expired). They cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.

What original documents do I need?

Citizenship

Social Security can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include:

Certification of Report of Birth (DS-1350);
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240);
U.S. passport;
Certificate of Citizenship (N-560/N-561);
Certificate of Naturalization (N-550/N-570).

Age

You must present your child's foreign birth certificate if you have it or can get it within 10 days. If not, Social Security will consider other documents such as your child's passport or a document issued by DHS as evidence of your child's age.

Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number must appear in person for an interview. Social Security will ask for evidence so they can check their records that they have not already issued a Social Security card to your child. Here are examples of documents that they may need to see:

If your child lived outside the United States for an extended period,
- a current or previous passport,
- school and/or employment records, and
- any other record that would show long-term residence outside the United States.
If your child has lived in the United States
- information about the schools your child attended, and
- copies of tax records.

Identity

Your child: Social Security can accept only certain documents as proof of your child's identity. An acceptable document must show your child's name, identifying information (i.e., age, date of birth, or parents' names), and preferably a recent photograph. They generally can accept a non-photo identity document if it has enough information to identify the child (such as the child's name and age, date of birth, or parents' names). Social Security prefers to see the child's U.S. passport. If that document is not available, they may accept the child's:

State-issued non-driver's identification card;
Adoption decree;
Doctor, clinic or hospital record;
Religious record;
School daycare center record; or
School identification card.

U.S. driver's license;
State-issued non-driver identification card; or
U.S. passport.

If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, Social Security will ask to see other documents. Any documents submitted, including the following, must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age), and preferably a recent photograph:

Employee identification card;
School identification card;
Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); or
U.S. military identification card.

Social Security may use one document for two purposes. For example, they may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.

Foreign Born U.S. Citizen Adopted Child

Information!

You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. All documents must be current (not expired). We cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.

Adoption

In some cases, we can assign your adopted child a number before the adoption is complete, but you may want to wait. Then, you can apply for the number using your child's new name. If you want to claim your child for tax purposes while the adoption is still pending, contact the Internal Revenue Service for Form W-7A, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions. For more information, see Social Security Numbers For Children (Publication No. 05-10023).

What original documents do I need?

Citizenship

Social Security can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization (N-550/N-570) or Certificate of Citizenship (N-560/N-561). Foreign-born adopted children residing permanently in the United States may automatically acquire U.S. citizenship when they meet certain requirements. They may accept the following as evidence of U.S. citizenship:

Certificate of Citizenship (N-560/N-561);
Certificate of Naturalization (N-550/N-570);
Machine Readable Immigrant Visa (MRIV) showing a category code of IR3 or IH3; or
U.S. passport.

Age

Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number must appear in person for an interview. They will ask for evidence to show that your child does not have a Social Security number. Here are examples of documents you can use to prove a Social Security number was never assigned:

If your child lived outside the United States for an extended period, a current or previous passport, school and/or employment records, and any other record that would show long-term residence outside the United States could be used to show that your child does not have a Social Security number.
If your child has lived in the United States and is applying for an original Social Security number, they may ask you for information about the schools your child attended or Social Security may ask you to provide copies of tax records that would show that your child was never assigned a Social Security number.

Identity

State-issued non-driver's identification card;
Adoption decree;
Doctor, clinic or hospital record;
Religious record;
School daycare center record; or
School identification card.

U.S. driver's license;
State-issued non-driver identification card; or
U.S. passport.

Employee identification card;
School identification card;
Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); or
U.S. military identification card.

Noncitizen Child

In general, only noncitizens who have permission to work from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can apply for a Social Security number (SSN). If your child does not have permission to work but needs an SSN for other purposes, see below "If your child does not have permission to work" for more information.

Adoption

In some cases, we can assign your adopted child a number before the adoption is complete, but you may want to wait. Then, you can apply for the number using your child's new name. If you want to claim your child for tax purposes while the adoption is still pending, contact the Internal Revenue Service for Form W-7A, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions. For more information, see Social Security Numbers For Children (Publication No. 05-10023).

What original documents do I need?

Immigration status

To prove your child's U.S. immigration status, you must show us your child's current U.S. immigration document, such as:

I-551 (Lawful Permanent Resident Card, Machine Readable Immigrant Visa).
I-766 EAD or "work permit".
I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) or admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport.

If your child is an F-1 or M-1 student, we must see your child's I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status).

If your child is a J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor, you must see your child's DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status).

Work eligibility

In general, only noncitizens who have permission to work from DHS can apply for a Social Security number. For most foreign workers, Social Security only needs to see an I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) or admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport showing a class of admission permitting work. Some foreign workers must show their I-766 EAD or "work permit" from DHS.

Student: If you are an F-1 student and eligible to work on campus, you must provide a letter from your designated school official that:

Identifies you.
Confirms your current school status.
Identifies your employer and the type of work you are, or will be, doing.

Social Security also needs to see evidence of that employment, such as a recent pay slip or a letter from your employer. Your supervisor must sign and date the letter. The letter must describe:

Your job.
Your employment start date.
The number of hours you are, or will be, working.
Your supervisor's name and telephone number.

If you are an F-1 student authorized to work in curricular practical training (CPT), you must provide us with your Form I-20 with the employment page completed and signed by your designated school official.

If you are an F-1 student and have a work permit (I-766) from DHS, you must present it.

If you are a J-1 student, student intern, or international visitor, you must provide a letter from your sponsor. The letter should be on sponsor letterhead with an original signature that authorizes your employment.

If your child does not have permission to work: Lawfully admitted noncitizens can get many benefits and services without an SSN. You do not need a number to conduct business with a bank, register for school, apply for educational tests, obtain private health insurance, apply for school lunch programs, or apply for subsidized housing. You cannot get an SSN for the sole purpose of obtaining a driver's license.

Government benefits or services: If your child does not have permission to work, the child may apply for an SSN only if:

Federal law requires your child to provide an SSN to get a particular benefit or service.
A state or local law requires you to provide your SSN to get general assistance benefits for which you already have qualified.

If your child needs a number to meet these state or local requirements, you must submit a letter from the government agency. It must be on letterhead stationery (no form letters or photocopies) and:

Specifically, identify your child as the applicant.
Cite the law requiring your child to have an SSN.
Indicate that your child meets all the agency's requirements, except having the number.
Contain an agency contact name and telephone number.

Taxes: If you need a number for your child for tax purposes and your child is not authorized to work in the United States, you can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number for your child from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Visit IRS in person or call the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-TAXFORM (1-800-829-3676), and request Form W-7A (Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions).

If you are assigned a number for non-work purposes, you cannot use it to work. If you use it to work, Social Security will inform DHS.

Age

Anyone age 12 or older requesting an original SSN must appear in person for an interview. They will ask for evidence to show that your child does not have an SSN. If your child lived outside the United States for an extended period, a current or previous passport, school and/or employment records, and any other record that would show long-term residence outside the United States could be used to show that your child does not have an SSN.

Identity

Your child: Social Security will ask to see your child's current DHS document. Acceptable documents include:

I-551 Permanent Resident Card.
I-94 Arrival/Departure Record with unexpired foreign passport.
I-766 EAD or "work permit" from DHS.

If your child does not have a current DHS document, they can accept only certain documents as proof of your child's identity. An acceptable document must show your child's name, identifying information (i.e., age, date of birth, or parents' names), and preferably a recent photograph. Social Security generally can accept a non-photo identity document if it has enough information to identify the child (such as the child's name and age, date of birth, or parents' names). They prefer to see the child's U.S. passport. If that document is not available, they may accept the child's:

Adoption decree.
Doctor, clinic or hospital record.
Religious record.
School daycare center record.
School identification card.

You: Social Security also must see proof of your identity. An acceptable document must show your name, identifying information (i.e., age, date of birth, or parents' names), and preferably a recent photograph. For example, as proof of identity, Social Security must see your:

U.S. driver's license.
State-issued non-driver identification card.
U.S. passport.

Employee identification card.
School identification card.
Health insurance card (not a Medicare card).
U.S. military identification card.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask to see a current DHS document. Acceptable documents include:

I-551 Permanent Resident Card.
I-94 Arrival/Departure Record with unexpired foreign passport.
I-766 EAD or "work permit" from DHS.

Social Security may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use a DHS work permit as proof of both immigration status and identity. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.

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