Show A Social Security number is the federal government's way of identifying your child. Your child will need a Social Security number in order for you to claim child-related tax breaks—such as the dependent exemption and the child tax credit—on your income taxes. You will also need the number to add your new baby to your health insurance plan, to set up a college savings plan or bank account for your child, or to apply for government benefits that could help your little one. Here's how to get a Social Security number for your baby. How to Apply for a Social Security NumberThe easiest way to apply for a Social Security number for your child is to complete a birth registration form, which has a box you can check to request a number for your child. To complete the form, you will need to provide both parents' Social Security numbers. For most new parents, it's easy to obtain the birth registration form, because hospitals usually distribute them while the mother is still a patient. But if you didn't deliver your baby in the hospital or if for some other reason you were never given a birth registration form to complete, you can visit your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office and request a number in person. This process requires you to do three things:
Find the SSA office nearest you by logging on to the SSA's Office Locator at www.socialsecurity.gov/locator. If you'd prefer, you can send in a completed Form SS-5 along with your identification documents to your local SSA office by mail. Most people apply in person, however, because you'll need to provide the SSA with originals or certified copies of all identification documents. Once you've submitted your application, you should receive a Social Security card in six to 12 weeks. It may take substantially longer to process your application if your child is one year of age or older, because the SSA will contact your state's department of vital statistics to confirm that the birth certificate you have provided is valid. If You Are Adopting a ChildIf the child you are adopting is a United States citizen, your child may have a Social Security number already. But if you are adopting domestically and your child does not have one, you can obtain an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number (ATIN) to claim child-related tax breaks while your child's adoption is pending. To apply for one, complete IRS Form W-7A, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions. The ATIN will be valid for only two years, at which point you can extend it if your child's adoption is still not final. Once the adoption is final, you must stop using the ATIN and get a Social Security number for your child following the process described above. If you are adopting a child from another country, you will have to wait until the adoption is final and your child has entered the United States before you can obtain a Social Security number for your child. Once that happens, you can use the process described above. Welcoming a newborn is often an exciting and happy occasion. There are plenty of things to get ready, and parents might feel that there is not enough time. However, once the child is born, parents do need to take care of a few legal matters as soon as possible . On the one hand, it’s essential that parents obtain their child’s birth certificate. Registering a birth and getting your baby’s birth certificate is a fairly easy process. You will need your newborn’s birth certificate to apply for your child’s Social Security number and card. Keep in mind that a person’s security number must be protected as it is directly linked to their lifetime earnings, taxes, and more. The Social Security number (SSN) is a nine-digit number which the U.S. government issues to all U.S. citizens . Eligible U.S. residents are able to apply for one as well. This number allows the government to keep track of your lifetime earnings as well as the number of years worked. U.S. citizens need a SSN to be able to work. An employer will always ask for the social security number, and they will report your income to the Internal Revenue Service, IRS. Instances when a person is asked to provide their Social Security card or number also include:
Without a Social Security number, financial institutions will not be able to run a credit check, and therefore, making it more difficult to get a credit card or a loan. To apply for your child’s Social Security number you must complete a birth registration form. When completing this form, you must check a box to request a number for your child. It is also necessary to provide the parent’s Social Security numbers. You may be wondering where do you get the birth registration form. Most hospitals will distribute the birth registration form after a child has born and while the mother is still a patient. If the birth did not occur at a hospital or for some reason the birth registration form was not completed, new parents can visit a local Social Security Administration (SSA) office and request the number in person. If this were the case, you need to do the following:
After you have submitted the application at the SSA office, your child’s Social Security card should be delivered between 6 to 12 weeks. If your child is older than one-year, it can take a lot longer to process your application. This is because the SSA will contact your state’s department of vital statistics to verify the validity of the birth certificate provided on the application. If your child is born at the hospital, it will be much easier to complete the birth registration form instead of going to the SSA office. However, new parents always have the option to apply for their child’s SSN in person. Generally, it takes between four to five weeks to receive the Social Security number and card if you had submitted the application at the hospital. However, this might vary depending on the state where you live. If your child’s Social Security card has not arrived within six weeks you can head to your nearest Social Security office. You will need to take proof of your child’s citizenship, age and identity as well as documents to identify yourself. A child’s Social Security number cannot be give out over the phone, therefore it is necessary for you to go in person, in the case that it has not arrived. One of the main reasons to get your child’s Social Security number after they are born is so that you can claim your child as a dependent on your income tax return . You also need your child’s social security card if you are planning on:
Getting a Social Security number for your child is not obligatory, however, applying for one is an easy enough process and will benefit you and your child. If your child is adopted, the SSA can assign them a Social Security number. You can apply for the number using your child’s new name as well as your name and details as a parent.
Whether you choose to complete the birth registration form at the hospital, or head to the SSA office later on, you will certainly need an authorized copy of your child’s birth certificate. USBirthCertificates is a convenient and secure way to get your child’s vital records.
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