You need a Social Security number to claim your child as a dependent on your income tax return. Note that the parent will also have to prove his/her identity. Please note that you must apply for your child’s social security number at a U.S. Social Security Administration office which can be found at SSA’s website for Canada. Click here to view the Social Security Administration website. General information on SSA services for people living outside the United States can be found at this website. 6. Your child may also need a number if you plan to: Such requests will allow an individual to register for social security if they do not already possess a social security number. The completed application and relevant documents should be mailed to the Federal Benefits Unit serving your region. You can request an SSN while filling out the information for their birth certificate. 3. An acceptable document must show the child’s name, identifying information (i.e., age, date of birth, or parents’ names) and preferably a recent photograph preferably the child’s U.S. passport. However, if the birth is not registered within 3 months, a parent/guardian must make an application - see 'Child application' below. Original US Passport, must be current and signed; Original Permanent Resident Alien Card (“Green Card”), must be current; Original US state driver’s license, must be current; Original foreign passport is acceptable but must be accompanied by proof of US citizenship, such as a Naturalization certificate or US birth certificate. Proof of birth. Failure to comply may result in having to pay back benefits. A parent can apply on behalf of a child. If you were born in the US, you must also prove why you do not already have a SSN. Original U.S. birth certificate, or b. or c. below. An acceptable proof of identity document must show your child's name, identifying information and preferably a recent photograph. a. For example, if you want to claim your child as a dependent on your income tax return, buy a savings bond for the child, get medical coverage for her, or apply for other government services, you will normally need to provide her SS number. Open one today with ACA-Members/SDFCU account. If the child was born abroad out-of-wedlock on or after November 14, 1986 to two U.S. citizen parents, and the U.S. citizen father satisfies the criteria of the “new” INA 309(a), listed below, the child will acquire U.S. citizenship under INA 301(c) if at least one of the parents resided in the United States or one of its outlying possessions prior to the person’s birth. See below. These include a US passport, Certificate of Naturalization (N-550/N-570) or Certificate of Citizenship (N-560/N-561), Certificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350), Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240, CRBA). (month)(day)(year) 04-2016 DS-2029 Q8. The most common reason for such an occurrence is a child born in the U.S. who moved abroad while very young. Documentation for Non-Citizens. Download a PDF Reader or learn more about PDFs. For Options 1, 4 and 6: your Social Security Number application and original documents should be mailed directly to the Federal Benefits Unit in London for processing. Does my American minor child need a Social Security Number? Applying at a Hospital in the United States Write ‘yes’ on the birth certificate application. Add to this mix the enhanced requirement for high-quality, verified documentation prior to issuing a SSN, due not only to FATCA, but to various recent laws aimed at countering fraud and fear of terrorists. How to get a Social Security card and prove U.S. citizenship for a foreign-born adopted child. Disclaimer: American Citizens Abroad, Inc. (“ACA”) is a non-profit organization formed under the laws of the State of Delaware. You must submit documentation to prove the allegation of absence from the U.S. as the reason a Social Security Number was never assigned. As an American abroad, you will work through the US consulate or consular Federal Benefits Unit serving your region. The 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. Please note that you must also apply for your child’s Social Security number through the Federal Benefits Unit. Such hyperlinks are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website. To prove identity, the preferable document is a U.S. passport; other acceptable documents include hospital or doctor records, an adoption decree, a religious record or a school identification card. For children born abroad, the process is similar, but the SSA will also accept documents that show the name of the child, identifying information of age, birth date and parent’s names, and a recent photo. The child’s parents can apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States (CRBA) to document that the child is a U.S. citizen. For all questions on Social Security Number issues, please contact the Social Security Administration. Prepare a statement requesting the birth record. Although the DHA may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for Department of Defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), FS-240, is an official record of U.S. citizenship issued to a person under age 18 who was born abroad to United States citizen parent(s) and acquired citizenship at birth. I remember my SSN, but no longer have the card. The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the DHA of non-U.S. Government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. There is no specific form to complete when requesting your Consular Report of Birth Abroad. The U.S. embassy or consulate will provide one original copy of an eligible child’s CRBA. Living abroad causes the taxation of your child's Social Security benefits. If the applicant (even if an infant) does not have a U.S. Social Security Number, please complete and submit this form with the passport application. What you need to apply online: the required original documents For children born abroad, the process is similar, but the SSA will also accept documents that show the name of the child, identifying information of age, birth date and parent’s names, and a recent photo. For individuals over 12 years of age applying for an initial SSN: 1. 7700 Arlington Boulevard Consular Report of Birth Abroad; Certificate of Citizenship ; It’s easiest to use a document that proves more than one requirement. The consular sections of American embassies or consulates can also certify original documents. Take or mail your signed application and documents to any. If you are a citizen born outside the US, you must also provide proof of your US citizenship. To complete the form, you will need to provide both parents' Social Security numbers. You can use a religious record to prove both your child’s age and identity, or you can use a birth certificate to prove both age and citizenship. If you or the child was born in the U.S. you must submit documentary proof that you or the child has resided outside of the U.S. Post navigation ← Citizenship-based reporting: Russia's "citizenship reporting" requirements – will the United States be next? The child born during the permanent resident mother’s temporary visit abroad provided that; Admission is within 2 years of birth; and; Either accompanying parent is applying for readmission upon first return after the birth of the child. It is normally advised that a US citizen child should obtain a SSN. A child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth if certain statutory requirements are met. www.ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm. Please consult the online application guide to ensure you have all the required documents ready before you apply. These offices can copy and certify your records so you don't have to send original documents through the mail. FBUs 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). 1. The authorities will be contacting beneficiaries to inform them of this new development. Once notified, your consulate or embassy will start the application process. You will need an appointment, which you can make by email or phone call. This can take time to assemble. 2. A child born in a foreign country and adopted by a U.S. citizen will not receive a U.S. birth certificate. Parents of adopted children born outside the United States need Social Security numbers for their children. Historically, before identity theft became so prevalent, your social security number was used by everyone from universities to be used as your student ID number to energy companies, telephone service companies, and even libraries. The documentation must be comprehensive and dated from the time the person departed the US to the present to provide sufficient evidence. You can determine the degree of anonymity you wish to maintain and the extent to which ACA can share your story. An excellent overview can be found at: www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm . This is because the SSN will be printed on your child’s Social Security (SS) card. Application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, First U.S. Passport, and Social Security Number for Your Child A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (commonly referred to as CRBA) is a document issued by the U.S. Embassy reflecting the birth abroad of a child who acquired U.S. citizenship at birth. Birth Certificate Copies: Born Abroad and Adopted by U.S. Parents. Suite 5101 Check first via the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) serving your region. If you are age 18 or older, you can apply for a social security number in your home country when you apply for an immigrant visa with the U.S. Department of State. Q3. Original U.S. birth certificate, or Original U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad; If the child was born in the U.S. you must also submit proof that you or the child has resided outside of the U.S. for a significant period of time to explain why a Social Security number has not been issued in the past. A PDF reader is required for viewing. a. And now it has gone international: under FATCA (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) banks and other financial institutions around the world are required to ask American citizen clients for an IRS Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification), which includes their SSN. This determination is based upon a variety of facts; the law in place at the time of birth, the amount of time the U.S. citizen parent(s) lived in the U.S. prior to the birth of the child, and, in some cases, the marital status of the biological parents. They haven’t thought of their SSN for years (if ever). Does my American minor child need a Social Security Number? It is imperative that if you gave birth abroad, or had children born abroad, you contact your local consulate or U.S. Embassy as soon as possible. Requirements vary, depending on the age of the applicant (under or over age 12); whether the applicant is a US citizen or not; and, if a US citizen, whether the applicant was born in the US or abroad. However, because your child lives outside of the United States, the SSA generally imposes a 30 percent federal tax rate on 85 percent of his Social Security benefits. The documentation must be comprehensive and date from the time the person departed the U.S. to the present to provide sufficient evidence. However, they prefer to see the child's US passport. I used to have one, but I cannot find it and don’t remember the number. You can leave the space asking for the SSN blank. You can apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) electronically at the U.S. Embassy Paris, France. If you give birth in a hospital, you may be prompted to obtain a Social Security card for your baby by hospital staff. Proof of identity for the parents is also required. Children born in Ireland are usually given a PPS Number when their birth is registered with the General Register Office (GRO). TRICARE is a registered trademark of the Department of Defense (DoD), DHA. If the name has been altered since the initial application, you must provide official documentation of how the name change(s) was/were effected. How to apply for a Social Security number (SSN) for an infant at the US Embassy in the Philippines 15 July 2018 4 Comments In my previous post, I wrote about our successful application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and US passport at the US Embassy in Manila for our infant child. 5. This means you do not need to apply for a PPS Number for an Irish-born child. Original U.S. birth certificate, or b. or c. below. Application form and instructions are available at: www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf. If you or the child was born in the U.S. you must submit documentary proof that you or the child has resided outside of the U.S. If you have lived in the United States and you are applying for an original Social Security number, you may be asked for information about the schools you attended or to provide copies of tax records that would show you were never assigned a SSN. Your child gets tax-free benefits if he lived in the United States. The procedure in this case is to apply for a replacement card by postal mail using the approprite form. To apply in due time for your child’s Social Security Number a full validity 5-year passport is required. Your child will need a Social Security number if you want to get medical coverage for them, claim them on your taxes and take advantage of any government services. The reader is urged to obtain his or her own professional advice. For these reasons, it is important that you understand how to get a Social Security Number for a newborn. There is no fee to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). ACA delivers the solution! A CRBA is not a travel document We recommended that you submit an application for your child’s U.S. passport and social security number at the same time. Complete, date and sign the application. The FBUs can accept only certain documents as proof of US citizenship. Make sure to verify documents with the Social Security Administration before moving to step 3 below. However, if the birth is not registered within 3 months, a parent or guardian must make an application. Complete and sign an Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5-FS) Take or mail your signed application and documents to any U.S. Embassy or Consulate. For those born before December 2010, your Consular Report of Birth Abroad will be a form FS-240 or DS-1350. A. How to Find My Child's Social Security Number; Children born on an overseas military base do not receive a state-issued birth certificate, as children who are born in the United States do. Present one document as acceptable proof of identity. age, date of birth, or parents' names). All rights reserved. 1. The processing time for these applications varies and is in part dependent on the response time from the Office of Vital Statistics which holds the original birth registration. Documentation is required to prove the allegation of absence from the US as the reason for non-assignment of an SSN. We can use either document as proof of your child's U.S. citizenship. The documentation can include: 4. 3. The Department only issues CRBAs to children born abroad who acquired U.S. citizenship or nationality at birth and, in general, are under the age of 18 at the time of the application. How to apply for a Social Security number (SSN) for an infant at the US Embassy in the Philippines 15 July 2018 4 Comments In my previous post, I wrote about our successful application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and US passport at the US Embassy in Manila for our infant child. confirmation of residency from foreign registration offices; school records such as report cards or a letter from the school confirming dates of attendance; travel documents such as current or canceled passports (US or other); proof of registration with a doctor or clinic. I have never had a Social Security Number. (Note: It is not necessary to obtain a CRBA. Your child must be present unless the picture identification also shows your child's biographical information (i.e. Call/write your local US Embassy or Consulate and make an appointment with the FBU for application for a Social Security number. These can be found listed here: www.ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm. Additional Document Required for International Students and Foreign Exchange Visitors . If your parents are living, you can ask if they registered your birth. In order to get an original social security number, replacement social security card, ... driver’s licenses, employment records, marriage certificate, etc. Find the right contact info for the help you need. If the child was born abroad out-of-wedlock on or after November 14, 1986 to two U.S. citizen parents, and the U.S. citizen father satisfies the criteria of the “new” INA 309(a), listed below, the child will acquire U.S. citizenship under INA 301(c) if at least one of the parents resided in the United States or one of its outlying possessions prior to the person’s birth. If you have 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 you do not have a SSN. The easiest way to get a Social Security number for your child is to apply right after the birth. How do I find out? Q4. However, if you did not register your child for an SSN at birth, it’s not too late. The Consular Report of Birth Abroad means you were born abroad or at a U.S. military base outside of the United States and your parents registered your birth with the local consulate. There are two ways that you can get a social security number and card: 1. Some documents are presented in Portable Document Format (PDF). Some never had one; some have lost theirs, don’t remember the number, or don’t even know if they ever had one. You are all set to file taxes, get your passport renewed, etc. However, because your child lives outside of the United States, the SSA generally imposes a 30 percent federal tax rate on 85 percent of his Social Security benefits. If you have access to a U.S. military post: You can go to the Post Adjutant or Personnel Office. In cases where the client is within time constraints dictated by his/her financial institution, the FBU can issue a letter confirming that an application for an SSN has been duly submitted. (You can leave blank the space asking for the SSN.). To prove identity, the preferable document is a U.S. passport; other acceptable documents include hospital or doctor records, an adoption decree, a religious record or a school identification card. Your social security number is also used by some other government services and by banks and credit issuers as a form of identification. Social Security Numbers (SSN) Please choose the most relevant option below in order to request a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN). ACA makes no representations as to the accuracy, quality, utility, or any other aspect of the information contained herein. This is not a problem unless the you are requested to provide a photocopy of your original card. The simplest way to get an SSN and Social Security card for your child is to apply for it immediately after they are born. Application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, First U.S. Passport, and Social Security Number for Your Child A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (commonly referred to as CRBA) is a document issued by the U.S. Embassy reflecting the birth abroad of a child who acquired U.S. citizenship at birth. Generally, the child should present the following information or documents to apply for admission. A parent can apply on behalf of a child. Although there is a reference to obtaining a social security number on the appointment system, Embassy Manila has a separate Social Security Administration office. Applications made at FBU offices: 1. Children less than 12 years do not have to appear in person as long as there is sufficient proof of identity (see below). To locate the appropriate FBU, you can check the website of the Social Security Administration at this link: www.ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm. Why should I get a Social Security number for my child? To get a copy, contact the nearest foreign embassy or consulate for that country. It is possible to get the required Tax ID number by contacting the local tax office. Over time, the US Social Security Number (SSN) has evolved from merely the number of your account for retirement savings to something akin to a single national identification number that follows you throughout your US administrative life.