[bumpkin]

For those of you who have adopted through your state social service departments in the last year, have you obtained new social security #'s for your children? if so when and how? I understand that they are difficult to change since new privacy and security laws have been passed.

thanks

Bumpkin

[mj77]

We changed our son's identity including ssn after adoption through our state. It was not difficult (I live in Oregon). I just took his new birhtcertificate and adoption papers to the social security office which I had to do anyway to change his last name on his card, and they issued me a new card in the mail. There is only 2 times that I know of that you can change numbers, 1) If you are entering the wittness protection program and... 2) If you have adopted.

Melissa

[HappyMomAnna]

I went to the Social Security Office the morning after our adoption was final. Social Security is a Federal Progam so all office should handle things the same way.

I copied the info I found from the SS website which proved to be handly for the worker who had not processed this sort of change before and was able to use my print out to understand her job requirements.

Basically as long as you have proof of the date/time and place of birth along with your adoption paperwork things should go well. We had our new numbers issued less then two weeks later...

The SS website page listing requirements can be found at:

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/...Z2U9MQ**&p_li=


Generally, when a child is adopted, Social Security will assign another SSN to the child in the child’s new identity if the adoptive parents request one. We will not assign the child another SSN if the child is receiving Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income payments or if the child has worked. In addition, if the child is adopted by a step-parent or other relative, we will not assign a new SSN to the child. In these situations, we will update the child’s record to show the new identifying information and issue a corrected card with the child’s new name but the same SSN.

To apply for another number for your child, you need to complete Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card) which is available for download at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.html. Or you can obtain Form SS-5 by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office. These services are free. You will also need to submit evidence of age, identity, and U.S. citizenship for your child and evidence of your identity.

Age: We prefer to see your child’s birth certificate. However, we can accept the adoption decree if it specifically provides the child's date and place of birth and states that this information was taken from the child's original birth record. If information about a U.S. place of birth is not shown in the adoption decree, then the adoption decree cannot be used to establish age or U.S. citizenship.

Identity: We must see a document of recent issuance to establish your child’s and your continued existence. We can generally accept a current document that has enough information to identify each of you (e.g., your name as well as your age, date of birth or parents’ names). In the case of an adult, we prefer to see a document with a photograph. A birth certificate is not an identity document.

Some documents we can accept as proof of identity for a child are:

· Doctor, clinic, hospital record
· Religious record (e.g., baptismal record)
· Daycare center, school record
· Adoption record (If it was not used to establish age)
· School ID card

Some documents we can accept as proof of identity for an adult are:
· Driver’s license
· Employer ID card
· Passport
· Marriage or divorce record
· Health insurance card (not a Medicare card)
· Military record
· Life insurance policy
· School ID card

U.S. Citizenship: Your child’s birth certificate or other document showing a U.S. place of birth is evidence of U.S. citizenship.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies of documents. We need original documents or copies certified by the custodian of the record. Notarized copies are also not acceptable.

Mail or bring the application and evidence in person to your local Social Security office. You can find that office at: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/locator/. Your documents will be returned to you.

You should receive your child’s card within two weeks of the date we have all the information we need to process your request. If you have not received your child’s card within this time frame, contact the Social Security office where you filed the application. Please note that a change made effective June 1, 2002 could add three to 12 weeks to the current processing time of your child's SSN card. If you are requesting that a new SSN be assigned to your child, we will need to verify the documents with the office that issued the birth record/adoption record if your child is age one or older.

[aMarylandfamily]

The attorney preparing/processing the final decree often completes the SSN change request and submits same so that any questions which arise are directed "legally" to him/her. Unless you ask though, they may assume you will handle yourself.

[bumpkin]

Thanks all - that was good info. I'm going to print it for use when the tiime comes!

As usual, you experts are the best!


Bumpkin

[thehills]

My husband and I completed our first of 2 adoptions planned this year, yesterday. We have a new daughter. I visited the social security board yesterday with the decree of adoption and her insurance card and was told I would have the new card by Friday. I thought wow, that's fast. She just took the old card and threw it away. Of course I requested a new number because I felt as though she deserved not only to have a new name but a new number to go with her new life. We adopted through the Division of Children's Service's in Missouri.

[riley6]

When I called my local office to find out what I needed to change the number (while we're changing the names) I was told on two different days, by two different workers that I could NOT get new numbers. Something about the new policy due to 9/11.

It was suggested that I lie and tell them I don't know what their ssn's are and just request one when I get their new bc's. I hate lying, but I don't want a hassel.

[mj77]

Riley6, I have heard people have that same problem with SS telling them they can't change numbers. That is NOT TRUE. Many of the people at SS probably aren't aware that it can be done in the case of many, if not all adoptions. Our son finalized July 10, of 2003 and we got his changed. We adopted through our state DHS though. Because it was DHS, these children were removed for protective reasons. I don't know where you adopted from but if it was your state Social Services and you are having trouble getting SS to comply with your request, talk with their supervisor and tell them you would be happy to have the attorney who finalized the adoption talk with them as well. I am sure regardless of your adoption if you are changing the SS to protect your child, you should be able to get them a new SSN with their adoption decree and birthcertificate.

Melissa

[HappyMomAnna]

When I went into the SS office the worker was ready to have me leave without two-words----which is why I brought a COPY of every page on the SS-Website with anything that had to do with adoption! The worker looked at it--showed it to a few other workers--and then asked for a copy of my print out and processed the changes as I requested. At first she was going to simply change thier names---but, my paper work from their website print date that morning was really enough for her.

I will tell you that I was told there is a cross-reference deep within the SS system that will forever link the old and new numbers. I was told this was part of the 9/11 changes.

Our new numbers were applied for on 12/22/03 and we got the cards before Christmas break was over--because I went in the first day of school and corrected all of my daughters info.

[Peggy]

I just got my daughter's name changed but kept her old number. But I could have changed it quite easily if I wanted to.They asked me new name and number? and I said, no just the name. Just go to the SS office, fill out a simple form, and have the adoption certificate with you. If your child is over 11, bring your child also. It took all of 5 minutes (if there is no line).

[chaosjade]

I feel sooooo stupid. This is how new I am to this. I didn't even know your aparents could do that.
I'm 29 I see my birth certificate and I know everything on there is fake. My birthday probably isn't even real. This is so depressing.
My bname is not in the index all my leads reach a dead end

[sassafras]

We just told SS our adoption was closed and they gave us new numbers. It was hassle free! The lady also said they have better chance of tracking by name and not SS#. I figure if they didn't keep their kids they probably didn't keep the numbers!