Misplacing your child’s Social Security card is always accompanied by that awful feeling of losing something important. Fear not because luckily, the process of obtaining a replacement social security card is relatively simple. All you need to do is complete an application online and provide the proper documentation and you can have your new social security card in as little as 10 to 14 business days.
A Social Security card is a necessary piece of paper for all citizens of the USA. It is needed to apply for Social Security benefits. It is also needed when you are applying for a US passport. It is also needed for tax purposes. As soon as you realize your child’s Social Security card is missing, quickly go about getting a replacement.
The government website, www.socialsecurity.gov makes the process very easy to navigate. Simply, find the printable application and complete it fully. The website and application will clearly state which documents are necessary to obtain the new card. Remember, the documents you provide must be totally current. The social security office will not accept documentation that is expired or photocopied.
The social security office wants to be able to prove your child’s identity. This is why they require documentation, they will want to see a birth certificate. This birth certificate does not prove your child’s identity but proves your child’s citizenship and that they were born.
Often times your child’s proof of citizenship is already in the system of the Social Security administration. This will make the process of proving their citizenship much easier. To check this, you will want to speak with an agent at a Social Security office or call them on the phone.
If you have also misplaced your child’s birth certificate the process will take a bit longer. You will need to pay a visit to the Registry of Vital Records to get a new one. You can also apply for a new birth certificate online. You usually have to pay a fee to the state and to the county in which your child was born. If your child does not have a birth certificate the office may take a record of birth.
You will also need to provide additional documentation that will prove your child has existed after their birth certificate. These are documents such as a hospital birth record or a medical record. If you do not have these you can also provide a religious record. The documents must have your child’s name on them and other information that identifies them such as their date of birth, their parents, and if possible, a recent photograph.
You may also use a school record or a daycare record to identify your child. Again, it is preferable if these records have a photograph. If they do not, make sure they have your child’s full name and birthdate.
The Social Security administration will accept documents that do not have a photograph if the documents have enough information on them to clearly identify the child and their parents. The Social Security administration prefers a US passport, if you have one.
If your child was adopted you will want to provide the adoption decree. This will prove that the child has been legally and lawfully adopted.
The identity of the parent applying for the child must also be proven. This can be done by providing your driver’s license, a state issued ID card, or even a current US passport. If you for some reason do not have one of these IDs the Social Security administration will likely accept something different like an employee ID or even a school ID. These forms will only be accepted if you cannot get a government ID replacement within 10 days.
If you are not a US Citizen the Social Security administration will need to see a current DHS document. Some examples of these documents are a Permanent Resident Card, an Arrival/Departure record, or an Employment Authorization Document. If you have any questions about these documents feel free to call the Social Security administration, they are happy to help.
You can either take your filled-out application directly to a Social Security office or mail it to the address provided. To find the nearest office to your home simply pull up the government webpage for a complete address listing with operating hours. Remember, if you decide to mail in your application, the Social Security administration will not accept photocopied or even notarized documentation. However, they will return any documents you send in with receipt.
Once the Social Security office has verified your child’s identity and have made sure the required documents pass all the requirements they will mail the replacement card right to the address you provided. You can expect to get this piece of mail within 10 business days.
Remember that all US citizens are entitled to 3 replacement Social Security cards in a 10-year period. You definitely want to store your children’s cards in a safe a secure place. If your child has a legal name change or any other change to their card, it does not count against the 3-card-replacement rule.
If you think your child’s social security card was stolen you should contact your local police department, they will help you file a report. You will also want to contact the Social Security Administration and report the stolen card. This will help them flag the number if it is ever used illegally. The Federal government has streamlined this process so it is virtually the same anywhere you are in the United State of America.
If you still feel completely overwhelmed by the Social Security replacement process there are many companies in place such as Assisted Online Filings that will provide the help you need or want. Just be careful with who you work with as you do not want to give important Social Security numbers and documentation to just anyone.
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