When you have a baby, one of the last things on your mind will be your child’s social security number. However, it is important that you place getting a social security card for your child on your to-do list. The best time to get this card will be when you give the information for the birth certificate. While this is something you should do, you also need to know why you should look at getting the card at all.
Why You Should Get A Social Security Number For Your Child
There are many reasons why you need to get a social security card for your child. The first is that you need to have their social security number if you want to claim them as a dependent on your income tax return. If you do not have the number, you may have a harder time doing this and getting the potential tax rebates that this allows.
You are not the only one that will benefit from your child having a social security number. You will need to have this number if you want to open a bank account for the child before they are of legal age. This will include any child savings accounts that you want to open for them.
You also need to have their social security number if you want to buy any savings bonds for them. If you want to get medical coverage for the child, you will need to provide their social security number. Any other government service that your child could be entitled to will require their social security number.
Getting a social security number for your child when they are a baby will also help them later on. It will be harder to get a social security number when they are older and you can easily save them the hassle.
Do You Have To Get A Social Security Number For Your Child?
While it is important to know about the benefits that come from getting a social security number for your child, you might be wondering if this is something that you have to do. The answer is that getting this number will be completely voluntary. There is nothing that forces you to get the number for your child other than the fact that it can be very helpful to both you and them.
How To Get A Social Security Number For A Child
The best time to apply for a social security number for your child will be at the hospital when you give the information for the birth certificate. At this time, you will be asked if you want to apply for a social security number. If you are not asked, you will need to bring this up and ask for a social security number application to be made.
When asked, all you have to do is say that you would like to apply. You will then have to provide the social security numbers of both parents if possible. If you cannot provide the social security numbers of both parents, you will still be able to apply for the number for your child.
This is the easiest option, but you can also apply for the social security number at the social security office. When you take this route, you will need to complete an application for a social security card with certificate filing services. You will then have to provide original documents which verify the age, identity and US citizenship of the child. You also need to provide documents that show your identity and your relation to the child you are applying for.
If your child is over the age of 12 when you make the first application, they will have to appear in person at the social security office. The child will have to complete an interview with a social security officer even if you are willing to sign the application on their behalf. This is something that has to be done and there are no exceptions to this ruling.
Documents For Proving US Citizenship
If you are not applying at the hospital, you will need to provide documents proving the US citizenship of the child. There are only certain documents which are accepted for this and you will need to provide the original and not a copy even if it is notarized. If your child does not have US citizenship, there are other steps that you will need to take and should contact social security regarding this.
To prove US citizenship, you will need to provide a US birth certificate. If you do not have a US birth certificate, you can provide a US consular report of birth or a certificate of naturalization. A US passport can also be provided as proof.
Documents For Proving Age
If your child was born in the United States, you can use their birth certificate to prove their age. If the child does not have a birth certificate, a religious record made before the age of 5 will also be accepted. You can also use a US hospital record of birth or their passport.
If your child was born outside of the country, you will need to provide the foreign birth certificate. If you are unable to get the birth certificate for any valid reasons, you can provide a certificate of birth abroad. The consular report of birth abroad can also be used.
Documents For Proving Identity
There are only certain documents that are accepted as proof of identity for your child. The document will need to be current, show your child’s full name and have identifying information. If possible, a recent photograph on the document will also be beneficial.
Non-photo identification documents are often accepted when there is enough information provided. The US passport of the child is generally the preferred document for this. If there is no passport, state-issued identification cards, adoption decrees and medical records can be used. You can also use school identification cards and school records to prove their identity.
You will also need to provide similar documents to prove your own identity. The best document for this will be your US driver’s license or your US passport.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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