Tips For Applying For A Social Security Card For A Child In Your Custody

If you would like to apply for a Social Security card for a child, there are procedures that you must go through. These will be similar to what adults must do. If the child is in your custody, and you are the biological parent, you will not have any problems doing this. Simply follow the simple steps that are provided on the Social Security Administration website, and you will be able to get one for them. If your child was born in the United States, they already have a Social Security number. You may be applying just because you do not have a card for them yet. If they did have one, and they lost it, you can also apply to get a replacement card. Here are tips for applying for a Social Security card for a child that is in your custody.

How To Apply For Social Security Cards

The initial step that you must take is to obtain the proper forms. These can be accessed on the main Social Security Administration website, or you could go to a local SSA office to get them. Most people that have never done this before, and that are not computer savvy, will likely take a trip to the nearest office in order to get help. Once you have told them that this is for your child, they will then provide you with the forms you will need. You will also have to provide other types of identifying documentation. This will include your birth certificate, their birth certificate, your driver’s license, and completed forms that will then be submitted to the Social Security Administration.

What If This Is For A Replacement Card?

If this is going to be for a replacement card, it will be very easy to obtain. Since you are already in the system, or if this is for your child that is also in the system, it’s simply a matter of printing out a new one. The amount of time that it will take is identical to what an adult will require. You can expect to wait about two weeks once the documentation is submitted. They may request other information if there is a court case. For example, if there is a child custody issue that is going on, and you are not conclusively the person that is responsible for the child, they may expect other documents as well. These are all matters that you can discuss with not only your lawyer, but the people that are currently out the Social Security Administration office in your city or town.

Are There Any Limitations To Getting A Replacement For Your Child?

Although adults will likely lose their Social Security card occasionally, children are going to do this even more frequently. In fact, most parents are going to keep their child’s Social Security card safe where they can find it. That is because most kids do not have a wallet or purse that they are bringing with them at all times. Additionally, it is likely that you will not remember what their number is. If there is ever a reason to use that number, you need to know how to obtain the card quickly. You can read the numbers off, or transcribe those numbers to the forms you are filling out. If your child has lost their card more than three times in a year, you will have to speak with representatives at the local SSA office to find out how to go beyond this limitation.

What If The Child Is Changing Their Name Due To Marriage?

If the child is going to be living with a parent, and they will be changing their last name, this is something that can be changed very easily. There will be no limitations to how many times a child can change their name on their Social Security card. If it is a legal issue, and not simply someone losing their card, they will have no problem with as many changes as are needed. Of course, there must be legal documents to show that the change is legally based. You cannot simply change a child’s name for a haphazard reason. Once all of that is turned in, you will expect to see the new card, with their new last name, after submitting all of these documents to the SSA.

What If The Child Is Not In Your Custody?

If you have a child that is not legally in your custody, and you are trying to get this done, you could run into a few problems. There has to be a legal basis for not only doing a change on their Social Security card, but you also need to be the person legally responsible for them. This is also true if you are just getting a replacement card. It would be the same if a total stranger was bringing in the child to help them get this done. These legal issues need to be addressed, and if you do not have an attorney that you can speak with, the people that your local SSA office can help you understand what needs to be done to get the new Social Security card.

What Documents Do You Need To Get This Done?

There are several documents that will be requested when you go to the local Social Security Administration office. They need documents that will verify their identity. They will also need proof of US citizenship which can come in the form of a birth certificate. If the child is emigrating from a different country, you need to show what their immigration status is. Showing your relationship to the child is also required. If you have all of this, you can download or request the application. Whether you mail this in yourself, or if you bring this to your local Social Security office, it will be processed without a problem.

If you have done everything right, and the child is in your custody, you can get a Social Security card for your child. If they were born in the United States, they already have one. You could be doing this to just get a replacement. If you are coming from another country, immigration papers must be presented, and then everything should go through with getting a Social Security card for that child.