How To Get a Social Security Number for Your Baby
Your baby needs a Social Security number (SSN) to be claimed on your taxes, to open many savings accounts, and for some government benefits.
The easiest way: at the hospital
When you fill out the birth certificate worksheet, you can usually check a box to apply for a Social Security number at the same time. The state passes the information to the Social Security Administration (SSA), and the card is mailed to you. SSA calls this Enumeration at Birth.
The card typically arrives by mail within a few weeks. Times vary by state, so check ssa.gov for current guidance.
What to double-check
- ☐ The baby's name is spelled exactly as you want it on all documents
- ☐ The mailing address is correct and will receive mail for a while
- ☐ You checked the SSN box on the hospital form
If you didn't apply at the hospital
You can apply with SSA. Generally you'll need:
- Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card)
- Proof of the child's age, identity and U.S. citizenship, usually the birth certificate, plus another identity document for the child
- Your own proof of identity as the parent
Check ssa.gov for the current process and where to submit. Some steps can start online.
When it arrives
- ☐ Store the card somewhere safe (not in a wallet or diaper bag)
- ☐ Write down only the last four digits in your planner
- ☐ Use it for your tax return and to add the baby to accounts where needed
Protect it
Children's SSNs can be targets for identity theft because nobody checks a child's credit. Share the number only when it's truly required.
General information. Always check current SSA guidance.
The New Baby Admin Planner includes a birth certificate and SSN page that tracks applications and certified copies.
New Baby Admin Planner — $14
18-page planner: hospital bag checklist, birth certificate and SSN, insurance deadline, pediatrician questions, feeding and sleep logs, first-year money to-dos. Instant download: PDF + DOCX + XLSX.
Get the New Baby Admin PlannerFamily Paperwork Bundle — $34More guides
- Hospital Bag Checklist: What To Pack for Mom, Partner and Baby
- Newborn Paperwork Checklist: Birth Certificate, SSN, Insurance
- Adding a Baby to Health Insurance: Deadlines and Steps
- Choosing a Pediatrician: Questions To Ask Before Baby Arrives
- Well-Baby Visit Schedule: The First Two Years
- Newborn Feeding and Sleep Log: What To Track and Why
- Before Baby Arrives: The Third-Trimester To-Do List
- How To Ask for Help After a Baby (Without Feeling Awkward)
- New Parent Money and Legal To-Dos: The First-Year List