U.S. Born Child
You can replace your child's Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen. You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during a lifetime. Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits. For example, changes in immigration status that require card updates may not count toward these limits. Also, you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.
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). Social Security cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.
What original documents do I need?
Citizenship
If you have not already established the child's U.S. citizenship with Social Security, they need to see proof of U.S. citizenship. They can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport.
Important!
This documentation is only required if your child has NOT already established citizenship with us.
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. We 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. We 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). We prefer to see the child's U.S. passport. If that document is not available, we may accept the child's:
- State Issued non-drivers identification card;
- Adoption decree;
- Doctor, clinic, or hospital record;
- Religious record;
- School daycare center record; or
- School identification card.
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, Social Security 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, 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.
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 an unexpired foreign passport or admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport; or
- I-766 Employment Authorization Document, (EAD, work permit) from DHS.
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.
Foreign Born U.S. Child
You can replace your child's Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen. However, you may not need to get a replacement card, knowing your child’s Social Security number is what's important. You are limited to three (3) replacement cards in a year and 10 during a lifetime. Legal name changes do not count toward these limits. Also, you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.
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). Social Security cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.
What original documents do I need?
Citizenship
If you have not previously reported the child's U.S. citizenship to us, we need to see proof of U.S. citizenship. We 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, CRBA);
- U.S. passport or Certificate of Citizenship (N-560/N-561).
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.
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, Social Security 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, 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.
Noncitizen Child
You can replace your child's Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen. You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during a lifetime. Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits. For example, changes in immigration status that require card updates may not count toward these limits. Also, you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.
In general, only noncitizens who have permission to work from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can apply for a Social Security number. If your child does not have permission to work but needs a Social Security number for other purposes, see below "If your child does not have permission to work" for further 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). Social Security cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.
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 (Employment Authorization Document, EAD, work permit); or
- I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) or admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport.
If your child is an F-1 or M-1 student, Social Security 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 children with work authorization, we only need to see an I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) or admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport showing a class of admission permitting work. Some children must show their I-766 (Employment Authorization Document, EAD, 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; and
- 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; and
- 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 a Social Security number. 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 a Social Security number 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 a Social Security number only if:
- Federal law requires your child to provide a Social Security number to get a particular benefit or service; or
- A state or local law requires you to provide your Social Security number 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 bring them 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 a Social Security number;
- Indicate that your child meets all the agency's requirements, except having the number; and
- 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.
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 an unexpired foreign passport; or
- I-766 Employment Authorization Document, (EAD, work permit) from DHS.
If your child does not have a current DHS document, 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). If that document is not available, Social Security 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.
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, Social Security 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); or
- 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 an unexpired foreign passport;
- I-766 Employment Authorization Document, (EAD, work permit) from DHS.
Social Security may use one document for two purposes. For example, they may use a DHS work permit as proof of both immigration status and identity.
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.