[mlbsands]

Hi all.. well after reading the ssa.gov website and calling the number I was told that I could apply for a social secutiry number for our son using the adoption finalization papers since we ould not be getting his birth certificate for "many months" per our lawyer.

After waiting in line at the local office I was told that there was no way to get a number without having the birth certificate and that the birth mom should have applied for it when he was born.. uuuggghhh

So.. anyone know how to claim the child as a dependant on your taxes without having that number??

Hopefully we will get the borth certificate in Feb/March and can apply then.

mandy

[Lovebug]

Mandy,

DH & I got our son's SS# a couple of weeks ago with just the adoption decree and his baptismal certificate. We don't have his birth certificate, either, as a matter of fact, we just sent out the paperwork for it a few days ago. I'm not sure why they didn't allow you to get it.

They can give you a temporary id # for tax purposes, though. But I'd look into getting the baby's permanent # first.

--Renee

[susanlowman]

I received the same speech you did!!! The one thing I did have going for me was a photocopy of the ORGINIAL birth certificate (or course NO WHERE does his "old " name and "new" name appear together)....Anyway, I just INSISTED someone help me and REFUSED to leave until they told me EVERYTHING I needed to bring (short of the birth certificate)......I did bring a letter (notarized) from the social worker stating it could take up to 3 years to get a "new orginal" birth certificate. Of course, the fussed and made me wait, but I left that day with a "temporary letter" and 10 days later their SSN arrived.

Good luck!

[tlc4kidz]

I had the SAME THING happen! But would you believe the lady at the desk asked me if I could call his mom and get the number? I informed her I WAS his mom and she said "you know what I mean....his REAL mom". I went on to calmly assure her I WAS his REAL mom, and she got a little snotty with me. After I removed my fingers from around her throat I called our attorney who said I would have to apply for a state tax ID number for this years taxes until I get the amended birth certificate.....which could be at least 6 months.

[wishing4more]

You can apply for an ATIN (Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number) which will allow you to claim your child until you are able to get the BC and SS#. The form can be downloaded from the IRS website. It can take up to 8 weeks they say to get it, so I'd look into it quickly. You just need to submit the form along with proof of placement for adoption purposes.
Good Luck!

[Peggy]

My daughter was older, and I went in to get her SS changed, all I needed was the adoption certificate. Check the SS website.

[abbiejane]

I posted about my frustration on this issue just a few days ago, and I've checked the website, and pulled up the form that needs to be filled out and I am going to try doing it through the mail. The one thing that I am sure of is that things are going to be done at the whim of whoever is behind the counter, so I read the rules online and I will follow those.

From what it says, I need two forms of ID. I plan on sending in his birthcertificate (which they will return) and doctors records.

[Peggy]

The easiest way to apply for your baby's Social Security number (SSN) is at the hospital. Remember to have both parents’ Social Security numbers handy when you do. When the hospital representative asks you for the information needed to complete your baby's birth certificate, all you have to do is tell them you want to have an SSN assigned to your baby. As part of your State’s birth registration process, the vital statistics office will send to the Social Security Administration the information we need to assign your baby a number. Your baby’s card will be sent to you in the mail.

If you don't apply for the card at the hospital, and want to apply for your baby's number at one of our offices, you'll need to fill out an application; show at least two documents as evidence of your child's age, identity and citizenship; and show evidence of your identity.


Documents we may accept as evidence of age, identity and citizenship for a baby or older child are:

Age
· Birth certificate (preferred)
· Religious record of birth recorded before 3 months of age

Identity
· Doctor, clinic, hospital record
· Religious record (e.g., baptismal record)
· Daycare center, school record
· Adoption record
· School ID card

Citizenship
· Birth certificate
· Other document showing U.S. place of birth

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 knows that he or she is adopted, 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.

Note: We will also need evidence to establish your relationship to the child if your name is not listed on the child’s evidence of age as the parent.* The adoption decree or the amended birth certificate would suffice.

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.

[mlbsands]

Thanks for the info from the ssa.gov site.. I had that with me and everything that is needed except the birth certificate.. they refused and said they didn;t care what the website said.. they MUST have that Birth certificate..

anyway.. I will try to apply for the AITN someone mentioned on this thread.. THANKS

mandy