How to Change an Adopted Child's Social Security Number
When your child's adoption process is completed, you can apply for a Social Security number on his behalf. Your child needs a Social Security number if you plan on opening a bank account for him, buy savings bonds in his name, obtain medical coverage for him or apply for any type of government services on his behalf. A new Social Security number is important for an older adopted child who already has one because it will update his information using his new name.
Things You'll Need
- Child's new birth certificate
- Copy of court order granting adoption
- Child's old birth certificate (if available)
- Child's old Social Security card (if available)
- Parent's current driver's license
- Parent's Social Security card
- Parent's U.S. passport (may be required)
- Child's baptismal record, school ID card and hospital record (needed only if previous documents are not available)
Instructions
Contact your local Social Security Administration office to arrange an appointment with a worker (see Resources). Bring all relevant original documentation. At minimum, you will need the child's new birth certificate and the official court order of adoption. If your child had a previous Social Security card, you'll need to bring his old one as well as his old birth certificate. You'll also need your own identification papers---driver's license, Social Security card and perhaps a passport. If you don't have your child's basic identification papers, you should try to provide church records, a school ID card or hospital records, if possible. Complete the application for Social Security card, known as Form SS-5 (see Resources). The one-page document includes standard questions about the child's name, birthday and gender. Other questions inquire about ethnicity, citizenship status, parents' names, Social Security numbers and any past-issued cards. Turn in the form and the original documentation to the Social Security worker. All original documents will be returned to you eventually. Return home and wait two to three weeks for the Social Security Administration to mail out a new card for your child.
The originals will be yours to keep, but the Social Security worker needs to see the originals and make copies at the office.
